Finally Getting Started

[vthompson]

After spending a week on the internet and talking with you guy's and getting your advice, I finally have everything that I need to get started shooting again coming my way. I have the powder, roundballs, patches, and everything else that I need in shipment right now.
I am anxious to get started so that I can find the load that is right for my rifle. I own a T/C .50cal. Hawken.
I am going to try different loads and patch thicknesses and go up a size in roundballs if I have to.
I want to thank everyone for their help and advice, you guy's have been great. I will keep you updated.

 

[boar]

I have two .50 TC hawkens,one cap and one flint. Never shot a RB in the flinter. Used max-hunter in it. My first ML gun in 82 was a .54 TC Hawken. Now it killed a bunch. For groundhogs I used 45grs 2ff and RB. Killed them dead at 75yrds,pump right thru them. Now for deer I used 110grs 2ff and max-ball. Never had to change the sights. It would put them in bottom of jug at 100 yrds. Now when I tried the Rb's I used 70grs, it wouldn't shoot them, all over the paper. Old timer Tom Pike(he won the match at Freindship) and who I bought the gun from as a Kit at his shop, said cut the charge in half. He was right on. Gun loved it. Grandson has the gun now. You have to remember TC made the barrel for Max-balls. Don't have the deep rifling like there RB barrels. Good shooting. Dilly

 

[WV MZL HUNTER]

In my T/C I use a 490 rb. with a pre-lubed 15th patch. I use 75 grs. of goex FFFG Powder. I can keep around a 1" to 1 1/2" groups at 50 yds.
Off rest. :wink:

 

[vthompson]

Thank you for your responses. I will definately try your recommendations in mind whenever I start shooting my rifle again. I appreciate your replies.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I have a Thompson Hawken .50 cal. I use a .490 ball and pillow ticking with lube. I usually shoot 40 grains FFF at 25 yards, 50 gr FFF at 50 yards, and 60-70 gr from 50 to 100 yards.
Just another bit to consider. Have fun. :thumbsup:

 

[BadKarma]

How much variance in hold do you get by graduating the powder load? Do you hold the sights right on at each change in distance?

This has me curious.

 

[vthompson]

Hey guy's, I am going to be shooting 2F powder with a 490 round ball and a .018 lubed ticking patch.
What do you all recommend that I start out with in grains in order to find a good load?

 

[smo]

50grns, go up 5 at a time only change one thing at a time not patch and ball at the same time. Find what gies you the best group.

 

[tiger955]

I find a .490 ball with a .018 patch is too tight in my TC with the factory barrel, practically have to hammer the ball down. Works well in my GM barrel with the deeper grooves though.
In the TC barrel a .015 patch works much better, still snug but I can push the ball down instead of pounding it, decent accuracy too.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I do hold my sights on the same way each time, regardless of the powder charge. For me it is as close to point of aim, point of impact. I have a small load chart stuck in my shooting box. Instead of adjusting the sights, I adjust the powder charge. It works for me. :hmm:

 

[paulvallandigham]

If you are holding the top of your front sight on the middle of a bullseye, you will get more consistent groups, with fewer sighting errors if you use a white piece of paper, or business card( for 50 yds and under) stapled to the target to give you a "diamond " point for the center of the Bullseye. For longer ranges, I use a piece of notebook paper, folded from one corner to the next to form a large triangle. You can staple or tape the "sighter" so that it covers the 6 o'clock position, or you can cover the 12 o'clock position of the bullseye, coming down from on top. Either way, the point of the triangle near the center of the bull becomes your small aiming point.

I do this when working up loads for a gun and zeroing the sights for a given yardage, and load.

Once I get that I remove the sighter, and shoot the target normally, so that I do have a better idea of how much " shooter error" affects the accuracy of the gun at that distance. Only correct practice will reduce the shooter error so that the groups are smaller, and more consistent.

 

[pulaskius]

It's an exciting time heh V ! Congrats on getting the ball rolling.

I have always thought that the TC Hawkens was a most handsome rifle ... ordering me one soon ... again

 

[vthompson]

Some of my supplies is starting to trickle in and I am going to start shooting as soon as it all gets here.
I am only going to sight my rifle in for 50 yards because here where I live with the terrain and under brush the way that they are a 50 yard shot would be a long one.