I'm pretty new to MLing, although I've been shooting this'n that for about 35 years. First trip to Friendship in 2011, ended up buying a .45 T/C Hawken. I haven't had much chance to experiment with loads. I'm using .440 balls with either .010 or .015 patches and 45 gr. of FFFg. I seem to have better accuracy with the tighter patch. I'd like to work up a stronger load, and am looking for advice regarding a maximum-type powder charge for this rifle and caliber. Thanks for any help offered.
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Looking for load advice...
- Thread starter jororo05
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The gun will tell you by it's accuracy what the max. load is. It isn't written in stone no place, but for safety sake, I see little reason to go more than twice what the cal. is. In this case 90gr. of powder. I may be wrong, but shooting the gun will tell you and I doubt if it is at the 90gr. that you get your best accuracy, it is probably much lower. I am sure RoundBall will stop in and give good advice about T/C's though. He is the T/C expert.
I just happen to own a TC Hawken .45 rifle. They are fun to shoot.
I have shot both 2F and 3F Goex with mine. I seem to get the best groups with 60grs 2F or 50grs 3F.
20grs 2F will get it to the target 25yds away. But the groups are wild.
30grs 2F will tighten them up to 4"
40grs 2F will tighten groups to 3" or less
50grs 2F will shrink groups to under 2"
I wouldn't load more than about 100grs 3F. Thats gonna pack a whallup when you pull the trigger. It's really not necessary for killing paper targets. Why shoot more than ya need?
I've never shot a deer with mine, but I talked to guys at the club and guys here. Many - not all - but many will tell you that 50-60grs is more than enough for a pass through shot if you put the ball where it's supposed to go. i.e. boiler room
100grs might be enough to open the groups back up to paper plate size.
I have shot both 2F and 3F Goex with mine. I seem to get the best groups with 60grs 2F or 50grs 3F.
20grs 2F will get it to the target 25yds away. But the groups are wild.
30grs 2F will tighten them up to 4"
40grs 2F will tighten groups to 3" or less
50grs 2F will shrink groups to under 2"
I wouldn't load more than about 100grs 3F. Thats gonna pack a whallup when you pull the trigger. It's really not necessary for killing paper targets. Why shoot more than ya need?
I've never shot a deer with mine, but I talked to guys at the club and guys here. Many - not all - but many will tell you that 50-60grs is more than enough for a pass through shot if you put the ball where it's supposed to go. i.e. boiler room
100grs might be enough to open the groups back up to paper plate size.
ohio ramrod
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My 45 t.c. hawken likes 445 baal, .013 patch over 40 grain FFF. but shoots well up to 65 grain FFF.Before groups open up.
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I misread the topic. Thought you were "looking for bad advice"! I have plenty of that, but I agree with some of the good responses already posted.
Enough powder is enough. I shoot paper and woodswalks with only 50 gr. in my .50 cal. I step up to 60 gr. for the 90 yard gong. Try different combinations. Your rifle will tell you when you get it right. The old timers in my crew follow the theory that the best load is the lightest one that will do the job properly. Anything more wastes powder and wears on your shoulder.
Enough powder is enough. I shoot paper and woodswalks with only 50 gr. in my .50 cal. I step up to 60 gr. for the 90 yard gong. Try different combinations. Your rifle will tell you when you get it right. The old timers in my crew follow the theory that the best load is the lightest one that will do the job properly. Anything more wastes powder and wears on your shoulder.
The Handbook for T/C traditonal Ml's is always handi for new shooters,
Here's a link for the pdf of the full manual for your rifle an other stuff, Load data is on page 75;
http://www.tcarms.com/assets/manuals/noncurrent/Shooting_TC_Side_Lock_Black_Powder_Guns.pdf
Here's a link for the pdf of the full manual for your rifle an other stuff, Load data is on page 75;
http://www.tcarms.com/assets/manuals/noncurrent/Shooting_TC_Side_Lock_Black_Powder_Guns.pdf
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Rat Trapper
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Every gun is different. However my TC 45 cal Hawken likes a .440 ball, 15 thousand patch prelubed with wonderlube (Oxyoke), and 70 grains of Triple Seven 2F. This gun will shoot into an inch or less at 50 yards all day long if I do my part.
Start off by using 45 grains of powder, shooting three times using the same patch thickness and powder charge, aiming at the same place on the target that is placed between 40 & 50 yards. Swab the barrel with a cleaning patch dampened with spit, rubbing alcohol or your favorite solvent. Don't use a dripping wet patch, you are just swabbing for now. Increase by 5 grains and shoot three times using the same size ball and patch thickness you started with, recording where you are hitting on the target. Eventually your three shot groups will tighten up and you've found the best powder charge for your rifle. Only then do you want to start changing things like patch thickness, RB diameter, powder brand or adjusting/filing or even replacing the sights. Wish you the best and I hope this helps.
