I picked this nice Log Cabin Shop Hawken up from one of our members. I was traveling back from North Carolina and his home in Tennessee was not too far off the beaten path. We actually got to drive through Boone, NC. According to him, there’s quite a bit of history in the area. The Cumberland Gap where Boone and a gang of men cleared the forest for future travel. The location of the Battle of Kings Hill is not far. We passed Davy Crockett’s Birthplace on our way to Knoxville.
I’ve had one of these before (Allen Arms) but sold it because I couldn’t find a matching pistol. I never thought about having one made. That was about 15 years ago. When it comes to muzzleloaders, I’m a bit older and wiser, now. I’m always researching, studying, and learning.
Needless to say, when you look at this, you can clearly see why someone traveling out west would want one. It has everything one could need, a big bore, and a strong build with the extended tang and trigger plate. It is the epitome of rifle making. The cap-lock at its finest.
I took it to the range, yesterday. The last time I had one I was using Pyrodex P in everything (didn’t own any flintlocks). My load then was 70-grains, so I started with 3F for a fouling shot. It kicked a bit, so I used 2F instead. Bench Rested at 13, then 25 yards. I switched to 60 grains of 3F for a comparison. I’ve been told to lower it down by 10% but I don’t have a 63-grain mark on my powder measurer. It didn’t seem to like that much so my last three shots offhand were 70 grains of 2F. I switched to a paper plate (approximate size of “the vitals” area on a game animal). I was able to keep them all on target.
My “go-to” rifle for match shooting is my 40-caliber Issac Haines Flintlock at 7-pounds. This 9-pounder will take some getting used to.
I still might look for another in better shape. I wanted this one as I could pick it up and not pay shipping or worry about it arriving in one piece! The price wasn’t bad either. The seller was the first one to contact me.
Walt
I’ve had one of these before (Allen Arms) but sold it because I couldn’t find a matching pistol. I never thought about having one made. That was about 15 years ago. When it comes to muzzleloaders, I’m a bit older and wiser, now. I’m always researching, studying, and learning.
Needless to say, when you look at this, you can clearly see why someone traveling out west would want one. It has everything one could need, a big bore, and a strong build with the extended tang and trigger plate. It is the epitome of rifle making. The cap-lock at its finest.
I took it to the range, yesterday. The last time I had one I was using Pyrodex P in everything (didn’t own any flintlocks). My load then was 70-grains, so I started with 3F for a fouling shot. It kicked a bit, so I used 2F instead. Bench Rested at 13, then 25 yards. I switched to 60 grains of 3F for a comparison. I’ve been told to lower it down by 10% but I don’t have a 63-grain mark on my powder measurer. It didn’t seem to like that much so my last three shots offhand were 70 grains of 2F. I switched to a paper plate (approximate size of “the vitals” area on a game animal). I was able to keep them all on target.
My “go-to” rifle for match shooting is my 40-caliber Issac Haines Flintlock at 7-pounds. This 9-pounder will take some getting used to.
I still might look for another in better shape. I wanted this one as I could pick it up and not pay shipping or worry about it arriving in one piece! The price wasn’t bad either. The seller was the first one to contact me.
Walt
I can use this sight for another project.
