Posted about this rifle about a month ago, thought it might be good to post what I have learned up to now. Rifle is Investarms Hawken .50, bought in yard sale for little money. Barrel is pitted and rifling is very shallow. Looked up manufacture date and it seems it was manufactured in 1976.
Lot of experience with centerfires, first blackpowder rifle.
Lessons learned:
1. Pyrodex RS is a poor substitute for BP. Many of what I would call "hangfires" with Pyrodex, nearly 100 percent ignition with Goex FFG.
2. This one will not shoot conicals with the barrel condition, off the paper. When loading Maxi's, they will almost drop down the barrel and make me nervous that they won't stay in place over the charge.
3. Take soap and water to the range to clean the BP off hands and face.
4. Even with a trashed barrel, they can be made to shoot with enough patience. My settled on load is .490 Hornady, 15 lubed patch, 80gr FFG Goex and CCI Mag cap. Yes, I worked up from 50gr and this is the sweet spot.
5. They are a pain to clean but now have it down to a routine, not so bad now. I won't have a dirty gun, always have taken care of my equipment, maybe a little anal in this respect.
6. Wife will ask, "why do you need more BP stuff, I thought you had it all in that big box." "you're going to the range again?" etc...
7. BP is more addictive than cocaine.
8. Where is the money coming from to buy a flinter, and how will I explain this need to wifie?
9. BP smell kinda grows on you, kind of like Hoppes #9.
10. 3 weeks til primitive weapons deer season starts, need at least three more trips to the range just to be sure.
Lot of experience with centerfires, first blackpowder rifle.
Lessons learned:
1. Pyrodex RS is a poor substitute for BP. Many of what I would call "hangfires" with Pyrodex, nearly 100 percent ignition with Goex FFG.
2. This one will not shoot conicals with the barrel condition, off the paper. When loading Maxi's, they will almost drop down the barrel and make me nervous that they won't stay in place over the charge.
3. Take soap and water to the range to clean the BP off hands and face.
4. Even with a trashed barrel, they can be made to shoot with enough patience. My settled on load is .490 Hornady, 15 lubed patch, 80gr FFG Goex and CCI Mag cap. Yes, I worked up from 50gr and this is the sweet spot.
5. They are a pain to clean but now have it down to a routine, not so bad now. I won't have a dirty gun, always have taken care of my equipment, maybe a little anal in this respect.
6. Wife will ask, "why do you need more BP stuff, I thought you had it all in that big box." "you're going to the range again?" etc...
7. BP is more addictive than cocaine.
8. Where is the money coming from to buy a flinter, and how will I explain this need to wifie?
9. BP smell kinda grows on you, kind of like Hoppes #9.
10. 3 weeks til primitive weapons deer season starts, need at least three more trips to the range just to be sure.
