Johnathan Browning Hawken

[David Ratusnik]

Ozark- You asked about Saturday's first shoot. Well it went great. I got off 8 shots in about
2 hours at my club/range. The weather was perfect-70's early and then it warmed up into the 80's.

I measured out 50g of Triple 7 ffg- each time. Down the barrel. Then, prelubed patch over the muzzle, 49cal Hornady on top. Used the pusher to start down to about 6 inch mark and then a rod I
bought to seat. I was worried about difficu11lty in
moving a ball down the barrel but it was hardly anything at all. Next, #11 CCI cap on half cocked hammer. Ready to go. Pulled the trigger to full locked position, then moved the trigger forward to
set. Lined up the Racoon target from the bench at
25 meters- BOOOOOM. Cleaned between each shot. With regard to the shots I seemed to miss high or low. Next time out I will adjust the rear sight a little and move out to 50 meters. David

 

[BrownBear]

With regard to the shots I seemed to miss high or low. Next time out I will adjust the rear sight a little and move out to 50 meters. David

I'd hold off on adjusting those sights. The high and low leads me to think your follow-through was off. It takes a little longer than other guns for the ball to leave the muzzle after you pull the trigger. Lots can happen then if you don't concentrate on keeping the sights lined up till the target disappears behind that cloud of smoke. I'd sure fire it off a rest a few times at 25 before moving out to 50, too.

 

[David Ratusnik]

BrownBear- Thanks alot for the suggestion. I'm shooting off an Uncle Buds Bull Bag and you are
correct, I don't see much once I pull the trigger. I'm going to stay at 25 until I've got it
dialed in. Honestly, I was uncertain pulling the
trigger the first time on a black powder rifle. That shot was the one exception to the above and below pattern, it was 5 inches low and 5 inches to the right. I was just thrilled I made the shot.
From then on, 5 inches up, just about on, or 5 inches down. I'm going to stick with it and follow through. Thanks David

 

[ozark57]

David, I agree, do not adjust the sights yet. Stay at 25m until you get a good group. Your gun has a single set trigger. How is the pull? My JB will group 3-4" at 100m.You can back off to 45-50 grains and lessen recoil. A verticle string is almost always a failure to follow through. The more you shoot the easier it gets.
Great fun isn't it?

 

[David Ratusnik]

Ozark- The single set trigger seems just fine. As is out of the box. Pushes forward easily and requires very little pull to go boooom. I wouldn't want it any lighter.

The Jonathon is an absolute piece of work- pretty, shoots (any accuracy issue is me), and let's me experience another important feature in the firearms hobby- BP. While I didn't buy it for the "look at me" human condition issue, it certainly drew a crowd at the club/range this a.m.
A couple of years ago I couldn't hit a string of clays to save my life- now I've practiced enough and I'm quite proficient. I'll focus on dialing in
this Jonathon. I appreciate your comments. David

 

[redwing]

The rear sights were the same castings used on the Lyman an import. They tend to be lose and often shift. Most shooters replace the rear sight on the JBMR. Check the rear sight for movement right to left with your thumb. :thumbsup:

 

[paulvallandigham]

YOu need to be using real Black Powder, if you want that gun to shoot right for you. Do check that rear sight. If its adjustable, the spring may not be very good, and the sight will move up and down on you from shot to shot. Some fellows put a wood stick "wedge" under the sight to lock it in place when trying to find a load that will group. Group first, and then adjust your sights to move the group to center.

50 grains( FFg) of Black Powder is a good starting load with any new gun( .50 cal.) It may not be the most accurate powder charge, but it should put you on paper, and allow you to read your spent patches to begin to see what is going on in the barrel. The Triple Seven powder you were using is one of the Substitute powders, and it burns much hotter than does real black powder. For that reason, it may be burning your patches, which will explain the wide dispersion of the balls you shot. Again, the patches tell the story. Its next to impossible to use black powder charge information when shooting any substitute powder. Not unless you have a chronograph, and can test fire both black powder( either FFg or FFFg will work in .50 cal. rifles) and the substitute(s) you choose to test fire. Understand that the IGNITION TEMPERATURE OF Triple Seven is MUCH Higher than real black powder, which burns at about 461 degrees F. The Subs. ignite at closer to 700 degrees F. that can affect performance in any gun, adversely. The subs have been designed to be ignited with modern "magnum" percussion caps, Musket caps, and shotgun Primers. Not a Standard #11 cap on a sidelock action. On the other hand, Black Powder ignites just fine with a standard #11 cap.

Also, reports indicate that once a can or bottle of 777 is opened, the air that enters and stays in the partially filled container begins to degrade the powder, so that over time, it looses some of its power, and the Point of Impact of the shots is lower. I don't know if that is exacerbated by using standard percussion caps, or not, nor if the problem is less when modern shotgun primers ( #209) are used to ignite the powder. All I know comes from watching new shooters with those un-mentionable rifles shooting at ranges, and Trying to sight in guns using pellets, or substitute granular powders. They don't hit the targets at all, even with scope sights, and leave the range if they even get a shot close to the paper at 100 yds., ready to go deer hunting! If you dare shoot a traditional sidelock rifle with real black powder next to them, and make nice groups on your target, they notice, and then leave faster in a huff! Only about one of these guys in 20 will come over and ask about your gun, and load, and seek some advice about how to get their gun on target. My brother showed some fellow how to sight in his gun with two shots, and the guy was amazed.

 

[ozark57]

I have to agree on the bp. It is all I shoot.

 

[David Ratusnik]

Paulval and Ozark--Thanks for the input on real
BP. I intend to try the real stuff down the road
a month or two. I have a friend at my range who shoots triple 7 and so that is where I've started. The info on ignition of BP vs substitutes is useful to me as is the info on mag caps versus #11's which I am using. This evening I'm going to examine the rear sight to see how it elevates as well as moves side to side. To me, the good news is I'm on the paper at 25m's (I can
shoot this rifle) yet several variables need to be addressed in order to dial my shots in--follow through, BP, caps, and the rear site. You guys are
the greatest- Thanks David

 

[David Ratusnik]

Guys- Range report this a.m. I got off a dozen
shots at 25 meters. Taking your collective advice the shots were either dead on or off by no more than 2 inches. This muzzleloading shooting is a ball. I'm clearly neglecting clays and rimfire/centerfire bench shooting.

I picked up a cool suede leather soft case, the one with fringe, from TOW. A reenacting outfit maybe my next move. Muzzleloading in FLA. Thanks
David

 

[ozark57]

Good to see you are enjoying the JBH. Mine has perminate status in my collection.