My New Aquisition

[AStealthyMango]

Howdy gentlemen, I recently acquired a percussion Hawken of some sort from my local gunshop on an impulse buy. As I am not yet married, I can make those sort of purchases, although whether that is good or bad has yet to be seen. Anyway, I have no idea what brand or specific model it is. I payed $150 for it, and I have yet to shoot it. It seems to be in beautiful condition. If any of y'all know what it is that is great, otherwise I just wanted to show my first foray into the world of muzzleloaders. Peace and blessings to you all.

 

[Treestalker]

Attaboy, Mango!You got what looks like a good deal. Don't know for sure what make it is but it should serve you well. At least until the flintlock bug bites! Enjoy your rifle and use it for what it is, your first! :grin: I recently was given a CVA frontier by a friend. Brought back memories of my beginning muzzleloading in the '70s. Let us know how she shoots and hunts, George.

 

[bubba.50]

it looks like one of the Investarms T/C clones 'til ya notice it's got 2 wedges. never seen that before but, these companies quite often offered uncatalogued items. looks nice whatever it is.

 

[Zonie]

Your rifle appears to be a copy of the CVA Mountain rifle.

The capbox is the same as the Italian made rifles Dixie sold in the 1980's although those rifles usually had only one barrel underlug and a single wedge.

If it was made in Italy, it will have several proof marks on the barrel.
Adjacent to those proof marks will be a square or rectangular box with some numbers or letters in it.

Those letters indicate the year the barrel was proof tested which indicates when the gun was made.

Follow this link to find a chart that gives the letters and dates.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/236956/

If the bore in the barrel is rust free, you got a good rifle for the money you spent.

Our forum has hundreds of posts that will give the information you need to shoot your gun but if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask.

 

[Cowboy]

it looks like one of the Investarms T/C clones 'til ya notice it's got 2 wedges. never seen that before but, these companies quite often offered uncatalogued items. looks nice whatever it is.

That's what I also thought too! It resembles an Investarm Hawken with the following:
1. Same Patchbox
2. Same trigger guard
3. The lock looks like an Investarm.
4. The snail is the same.
5. Same sights.
6. It is hard to tell from your pic. So I magnified it. Hard to tell but just ahead of the breech plug on the right flat, I see what appears to be writing? Does it say Before using gun read warnings in instruction manual available from Investarm SPA 25060 Marcheno Italy

Also the top Thimble looks to be a replacement, blued and set up for a sling.

The thing that definitely throws me off is the double wedge keys! Other than that it looks to me like it's made by Investarm.

Do you see a Capital I in a box anywhere on the barrel? Should be on one of the upper side flats, just behind the rear sight.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[bubba.50]

the blue thimble/sling stud is likely one of the "Uncle Mike's" for a Renegade that lots of gun shops used to sell. my T/C Hawken had one on it when I bought it. I replaced it with a proper brass thimble I found in my spare parts/junk box.

 

[AStealthyMango]

I was able to find the capital "I" in the box, but when I first bought it I was looking for other telltale markings and the "I" was all I got. At the time I wasn't sure if that was for investarms or the fact that it was made in Italy, which it says it is.

 

[mooman76]

The "I" in the box is Investarms mark.

 

[Pork Chop]

Me Likey!!

 

[larry wv]

Did I miss the caliber.? Just curious.

Larry

 

[AStealthyMango]

Oops! I neglected to provide that tidbit of information. It's .54 cal. So she's a big ole girl haha.

 

[Critter Getter]

Thanks for sharing the picture of your rifle. I didn't know Investarms ever built a Hawken style gun with two wedges. I know they make the GPR for Lyman with two wedges but haven't seen your model before. I learn something new with your post. Greg.

 

[will5a1]

1" across the flats or 15/16"? 32" long barrel?

Looks to be a nice rifle, enjoy it and let us know how it shoots.

 

[Docgp]

Dang fine lookin smoke pole ya got there!! I would say a great many of us got our start in this endeavor with something not as nice as that!

Enjoy it and beware of the addiction.

Doc

 

[MSW]

presupposing the bore is in good condition, I would estimate that you have done very well for yourself.

keep the bore clean, work up a good load (here's a link for accuracy - Dutch Schoultz' method is guaranteed to shrink your groups):
http://www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/

and you will soon find yourself on the road to ML nirvana ... to paraphrase the little green star wars guy:

once smoke made have you, forever will it dominate your range time!

 

[AStealthyMango]

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread but I got to shoot it for the first time the other day. It was fantastic, had a little trouble with ignition though. The nipple was a bit too large to allow the cap to seat properly, but we filed it down and eventually got it working regularly for the most part. I loved it. I shot .535 round ball with a .018 patch and 70 or 80 grains of pyrodex, probably going to downsize the patch next time though. All in all it was quite lovely.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Thanks for bringing back the range report. It looks like a nice rifle.

 

[Cowboy]

Good for you! I'm glad that she shoots well and that you had a good time. Thanks for the range report.

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[Heelerau]

good on you mate, if you get a chance, try the holy black, Dutch Shultz method is well worth the few dollars he is asking. Get onto Track of the Wolf they have a fine selection of cones, to replace one you have had to file down. :thumbsup:

Cheers

Heeler

 

[windwalker_au]

good on you mate, if you get a chance, try the holy black, Dutch Shultz method is well worth the few dollars he is asking. Get onto Track of the Wolf they have a fine selection of cones, to replace one you have had to file down. :thumbsup:

Cheers

Heeler

hey Heeler au I live in Armadale not very often I see guys from west ozz on here.
Bernie :thumbsup: