Cabelas Hawken, Patterning Question

[tbarrow]

I finally received my Cabelas Hawken rifle .54 cal, sidelock, my first two came in the mail with serious blemishes so the 3rd one shows up and I finally have a chance to shoot. I am using patched round balls shooting GOEX FF, I started with 50 grains, tried 80 grains, but settled in at around 60 grains. This was my first experince with black powder so I was free wheelingareund and only settled on 60 because I was trying to eliminate variables.

Out of the box, it seemed like the gun shot straight, as there was no sight adjustments necessary, left to right. However at 50 yards it consistently shot 14-18 inches low. In an attempt to raise the point of impact, I adjusted the rear sight DOWN. I eventually ran out of sight adjustment and now the thing shoots 6-10 inches low at 50 yds. When I shot it at 20 yards its only 1 inch or so low. So now what, do I aim 10 inches above every target that I shoot at from here on out? That seems like an unfortunate thing to do with a brand new gun? Or can I mess with the grains of powder to change the trajectory?

Anyone else out there have a similar problem, or better yet a solution?

Thanks in advance,
Tadd Barrow

 

[gmww]

I believe you need to adjust your rear sit UP. :thumbsup:

 

[Otter]

gmww's got it right with the rear sight adjustment, adjust it up not down. I bought the same rifle 16 years ago and couldn't hit anything with it until I got to 80 gr of 2f with RB. All you can do is shoot, shoot and shoot some more. You will find the right load.

 

[gmww]

Oh, one more thing. I'd put about 200 rounds through the gun before I'd worry about how it's grouping. It needs to be broken in. Just shoot and get used to the feel for the first 200 rounds. Then get serious and start shooting for groups.

I too own a Cabela's hawkens in .54. That avitar of mine shows it with an 8 point buck. :thumbsup:

 

[Pittsburghunter]

Yes a simple rule for all to remember. "Move the rear sight in the direction you want your projectile to hit" If the rifle is shooting to the right adjust left if it is shooting low raise the sight.

Good luck with the new rifle welcome aboard :hatsoff:

 

[tbarrow]

Wow that is so basic "adjust site up not down" I feel like a boob for adjusting the wrong way. Oh well, what do you expect from a shotgun hunter who wants to begin hunting with a rifle that actually requires some woodsmanship to produce game. 100 yds and in is what I am looking for.

It was a lot of fun just "makin' smoke" I loved the smell and am excited to get out and do it again. Thanks for your replies. I will adjust the sight UP, to get the point of impact to go UP.

Tadd

 

[john12865]

Wow that is so basic "adjust site up not down" I feel like a boob for adjusting the wrong way. Oh well, what do you expect from a shotgun hunter who wants to begin hunting with a rifle that actually requires some woodsmanship to produce game. 100 yds and in is what I am looking for.

It was a lot of fun just "makin' smoke" I loved the smell and am excited to get out and do it again. Thanks for your replies. I will adjust the sight UP, to get the point of impact to go UP.

Tadd

Look at the bright side, You didn't have to send it back because the sights were off. :grin:

 

[dmills]

Yup, the rear sight needs to go up to raise POI.

Rear sight goes the direction you need to move the POI. Front sight goes the other way from the direction you want to move the sight.

Go to the Lyman site and download its manual. It has a good section on sighting in a new rifle.

 

[Landngroove]

Hey, I've made my share of mistakes, learning this sport, as a matter of fact I'm still learning. At least you asked for advice. Plenty of good suggestions on this forum. Enjoy your Hawken! :thumbsup:

 

[Slake]

I wanna Hawken! Always move your rear sight in the direction you want your hits to go...and don't mess with your front sight unless you absolutely have to....learn your best sight picture with it....practice practice pracitce

 

[Deerstalker]

Adding more powder will definately cause the ball to impact higher at distance, but I'd follow the advise given above first, then see where I needed to go from there.
Bryan