I have been wanting a .54 rifle for PRB shooting. It is to be a hunting rifle and for range fun too. I have a .54 Flintlock that is set up but wanted a percussion rifle to compliment it. I was given a .50 CVA Hawken with a 1:60 barrel marked '87 and it was very accurate. However, I really didn't want the .50. I happened upon a CVA Hawken barrel in .54 marked '87 and with a 1:60 ROT , 15/16th in the white. While I am not sure, I think it may be the .54 barrel that came in a two-barrel kit. Nonetheless, for $65 I had a .54 that should be capable of accurately sending PRB down range. I cleaned it and then degreased it an threw it in the bluing tank. Once blued I took the components off of the .50 barrel and installed them on the .54.
Today I headed to the range. 87 degrees and a steady L-R wind at 10 MPH. I set up on the bench and started at 50 yards since I had bore-sighted it at home. I went through several different powders and it definitely showed a preference for Triple 7 FFFg. That is ok with me since that is the most readily available powder for me (and I can dedicate my Goex supply to the Flintlock). Next I tried to narrow down the patches. I quickly found that a .018 was best because the groups from smaller thickness shrunk noticeable with the .018's no matter what the lube was. Next I tried different lubes. Again, an obvious preference stood out. 7:1 ballistol/water "dry" patches had consistent groups where the other combos of different lubes nearly always threw one out of a 5-shot group. Last, I had the amount of powder started at 70 grains. I increased by 5 grain increments firing 3-shot groups. At 100 grains the holes were touching on the 50 yard target. I did not try more as this is a pretty heavy load already. Back down to 70 grains, I repeated the process. Again, a clear preference for 100 grain charge. Ok, so my load is 100 grains Triple 7 FFFg/.018 dry patch 7:1/.530 PRB/#11 cap. Honestly, I didn't want it to like that much powder. I use more of it and the gun digs into my shoulder with the sharp toe and heel with that charge. But, that's what she wants so I'm going to give it to her.
Next I moved the CVA adjustable sight. Three shot group fired and then adjusted as necessary. I dialed in 2-inches high at 50 yards and fired a 12 shot "group". Note: I spit swabbed between each shot, wet side out short strokes up and down barrel and then flip the patch and one long stroke in and out.
Now I moved to 100-yards. I fired one group and moved the sights DOWN as it was hitting around 6" high. The next group showed the proximity of proper elevation The sights are a little difficult at that range but I could still see the 2-inch red bullseye. I held 6' O'clock because the sight picture was easier that way. That 3-shot group measures 2.5-inches and landed 1.5 inches low. Next, I held "dead-on" the red bullseye which means it is pretty much blocked out by the front sight. That ended up putting a 3.5-inch group 3.25 inches high. Last, I tried to hold so I could see the crest of the red bullseye right over the tip of the front sight. That shot landed right where I was aiming, hitting the red bullseye at the 12 O'clock position.
The last thing I did was move back to 50-yards. I thought the downward sight adjustment would affect the 50-yard POI more that it did. The shot landed within the group I previously had at 50-yards, just a little low on the group.
The load is not what I would have chosen to load, but I can't argue with the results. If it needs 100-grains to be happy then so be it. I plan to get out and spend another day at 100-yards before the rifle deer season begins. Finally, a .54 PRB shooter in percussion.
The set trigger was a little too light at a couple ounces. At 100-yard you'd think it would help to have a light trigger, but it was so light it effected the groups negatively. When I got home I cleaned the rifle and adjusted the triggers so that when set, the front trigger will go off at 2.2 pounds.
The target with the rifle is a 12-round group I shot at a steady pace. The last target is the one where I sorted out the sight picture at 100 yards.
Today I headed to the range. 87 degrees and a steady L-R wind at 10 MPH. I set up on the bench and started at 50 yards since I had bore-sighted it at home. I went through several different powders and it definitely showed a preference for Triple 7 FFFg. That is ok with me since that is the most readily available powder for me (and I can dedicate my Goex supply to the Flintlock). Next I tried to narrow down the patches. I quickly found that a .018 was best because the groups from smaller thickness shrunk noticeable with the .018's no matter what the lube was. Next I tried different lubes. Again, an obvious preference stood out. 7:1 ballistol/water "dry" patches had consistent groups where the other combos of different lubes nearly always threw one out of a 5-shot group. Last, I had the amount of powder started at 70 grains. I increased by 5 grain increments firing 3-shot groups. At 100 grains the holes were touching on the 50 yard target. I did not try more as this is a pretty heavy load already. Back down to 70 grains, I repeated the process. Again, a clear preference for 100 grain charge. Ok, so my load is 100 grains Triple 7 FFFg/.018 dry patch 7:1/.530 PRB/#11 cap. Honestly, I didn't want it to like that much powder. I use more of it and the gun digs into my shoulder with the sharp toe and heel with that charge. But, that's what she wants so I'm going to give it to her.
Next I moved the CVA adjustable sight. Three shot group fired and then adjusted as necessary. I dialed in 2-inches high at 50 yards and fired a 12 shot "group". Note: I spit swabbed between each shot, wet side out short strokes up and down barrel and then flip the patch and one long stroke in and out.
Now I moved to 100-yards. I fired one group and moved the sights DOWN as it was hitting around 6" high. The next group showed the proximity of proper elevation The sights are a little difficult at that range but I could still see the 2-inch red bullseye. I held 6' O'clock because the sight picture was easier that way. That 3-shot group measures 2.5-inches and landed 1.5 inches low. Next, I held "dead-on" the red bullseye which means it is pretty much blocked out by the front sight. That ended up putting a 3.5-inch group 3.25 inches high. Last, I tried to hold so I could see the crest of the red bullseye right over the tip of the front sight. That shot landed right where I was aiming, hitting the red bullseye at the 12 O'clock position.
The last thing I did was move back to 50-yards. I thought the downward sight adjustment would affect the 50-yard POI more that it did. The shot landed within the group I previously had at 50-yards, just a little low on the group.
The load is not what I would have chosen to load, but I can't argue with the results. If it needs 100-grains to be happy then so be it. I plan to get out and spend another day at 100-yards before the rifle deer season begins. Finally, a .54 PRB shooter in percussion.
The set trigger was a little too light at a couple ounces. At 100-yard you'd think it would help to have a light trigger, but it was so light it effected the groups negatively. When I got home I cleaned the rifle and adjusted the triggers so that when set, the front trigger will go off at 2.2 pounds.
The target with the rifle is a 12-round group I shot at a steady pace. The last target is the one where I sorted out the sight picture at 100 yards.
