new guy questions

[Zonie]

IMO, you don't have to worry about the "clean out screw".
Most folks never remove them for cleaning. In fact, many muzzleloading caplock guns don't even have it.

When you clean the gun, just remove the nipple to make sure water will flush in and out of the hole where the nipple fits, freely.

Yes, the 1/2 inch diameter thing on the side of the barrel that the nipple screws into is called a drum. It is not made to be removed, so don't try to remove it.

Sounds like your about all set to go out and shoot a few targets to find out exactly where it's hitting.

I'm glad to hear you recognize that hunting with a muzzleloader is very much like bow hunting except you will have more range (and more knock down power).
IMO, too many people get into muzzleloading expecting it to take game at 150 yards like some cartridge guns. When it doesn't, they want to swap for something that will rather than learning the fine points of hunting.

Let us know how it shoots.

 

[ladysmithtrading]

I believe zones 3 & 4 are in from Nov. 12-21. If I went it would be Saturday the 18th through Monday the 21st. It's a longshot anyway, there's not enough time to get a replacement barrel so the one it has now would have to produce acceptable accuracy. Then I'd have to clear the schedule for those three days & I'm not sure I can.

None of the pitting is so deep as to make the barrel weak. Just a lot of them. I just wondered if it would make the ball try to "hang up".

Wow, after 19 years of bowhunting only for deer, 100 yards seems WAY out there to me. I'd be satisfied to hunt with the gun for now if it (& the shooter) are accurate to half that distance. Not sure I could even convince myself to take a shot at 100 yards, though I don't doubt your assessment of a round ball's capability. Of course eventually I'd like it to drive tacks, but 3" or so groups at my comfortable shooting range wouldn't be unacceptable for the present.

dont worry bout the balls ability to do the job! we shoot elk here in western wash at 150 yds with 50 and 54 cal patched round balls out of side lock percussions, no prob if its a well placed shot!

 

[KyHeadhunter]

Took her out tonight & shot some, went fairly well. Worked up from 60 to 80 grains powder with no issues. What a blast that thing is to shoot! Recoil is very slight, much less than I expected even with the 80 grain load. Didn't seem to blow out as much smoke as I remember seeing other guys get, maybe they were using more powder or something. Felt like shootin' a .22 mag only it left much bigger holes in the target :applause:

Shooting just shy of 70 yards, got her elevation right but ran out of daylight before working on the windage (several inches right). Hope to get that tomorrow.

Hard to say about accuracy due to slowly increasing the charge every couple shots & adjusting sights, but the sight adjustments worked like they should, and the horizontal pattern didn't look all that bad. Semi-educated guess ('bout 6th grade :youcrazy: ) is I can get 3" or so at 70 yards with the 80 grain charge. Once I get the windage settled in I'll shoot for some groups, then adjust the powder charge up & down until I see what groups best.

Sorry I can't get any pics right now, something not right with the digital camera... says my wife. Gotta take her word for it since I ain't smart enough to figger the thing out.

Couple more details on the gun though... 28" barrel, 43" muzzle to butt. Single trigger. The loop/slide-on leather sling that came with it has the Thompson Center logo stamped on it, but could be aftermarket. Think I read somewhere that TC barrels are made in USA? Mine says Spain. Strikes me as weird that there would be no mention of the maker anywhere on the rifle. Replacement barrel maybe? Even then you'd think they would stamp the company name or logo on it.

 

you might want to try varying patch thickness aswell that has a lot of effect on accuracy.

 

[mikelange]

I think the Springfield Hawken was sold in various configurations (with or without patchbox, possibly a carbine version, etc.) by Cabela's, Bass Pro, someone like that. Dunno off the top of my head. Doesn't matter. What I do know is that the guns originated from the same factory or factories that manufactured CVA, Traditions, Jukar, and possibly a few other "brands". I put the word brands in quotes because CVA, Traditions, and the rest are just different distributors of more-or-less the same product.

Sounds like your barrel gives good accuracy. If this proves not to be the case, or you feel it could just be better, you might compare your barrel to that on a CVA Hawken. Get on the owner's good side and he ought to let you try his barrel to see if it's close to being a drop-in with your stock and lock. The same gunsmith who checks out your gun for safety ought to be able to tweak whatever needs tweaking -- if anything -- to make a CVA barrel fit right up.

Another option, since you seem to love the fit and balance of your gun, would be to invest in one of Green Mountain's aftermarket barrel systems for the various Hawken-style guns. Most require a certain amount of fitting up to work on your gun, and they might seem a little pricey, but you're paying for top quality. Track Of The Wolf and Dixie Gun Works both sell 'em -- I'm sure others do, too, but those two are who I do most of my business with.

 

[KyHeadhunter]

Thanks again for all the good advice guys. Really do like how the gun fits. Enough that I would rather buy a new barrel for this one than buy a new gun. Especially since, after checking 'bout a hundred muzzleloader websites, I can't find a currently manufactured gun that has the same measurements for overall length, pull, etc.

Thanks for the barrel tips mongrel. That's really what I needed to know if I'm going to purchase a new one. The company that marketed the gun is insignificant.

Also noticed that 1-66" rifling is rare among factory barrels these days. I suppose this is due to the current fascination with sabots? Think I'll pass on them. I work R&D for a polymer/resins company all day; don't really care to have my bullets entombed in plastic when I'm on leisure time. Not to mention the price difference.

 

[walruskid1]

good call on the sabots, you will be much happier with a round ball barrel.

 

[recycle33952]

congrats on your rifle. I would shoot it minor pitting should not be a issue only with accuracy.
I believe your gun was made by conneticut valley arms the springfield hawken model made in spain. Whatever you do it is my opinion not to load over 80 grains bp in any spanish barrel. if you adhere to that and make sure your projectile is seated firmly on your powder charge your good to go.
never leave a airspace between the projectile and powder!! not safe! follow a few simple rules and you will enjoy a lifetime of shooting bp with all your fingers loll :blah:

 

[KyHeadhunter]

Well, I dunno if this is minor pitting, kinda feel like Armstrong viewing the lunar surface when I shine a light in there :shocked2:

In any case, I believe she's ready for some short range work during the December blackpowder season. The short range designation is more an indictment of my rifle shooting skills being rusty beyond recognition than the pitted barrel's fault.

Suspect that things might improve a bit with some thicker patch material (using .015 now). Roundballs are fairly easy to push down, maybe too easy. When time permits I'll get some thicker patches & put my theory to the test. Any thoughts?

 

[R. Miller]

I see a barrel full of good advice as usual on this forum, the one thing I don't see to a new shooter, is the warning to seat the ball solid on the powder. if the ball isnt on the powder it's not a projectil it's a pipe bomb!
stickwalker

 

[RedFeather]

Also, once you've PROPERLY seated your load, paint or scribe a line where the seated ramrod sticks out of the barrel. That way, should you ever "short-start" a load, the line should give you a visual warning that too much rod is sticking out and the ball is not seated.

I will pull a nipple on a used gun if I have the chance. It tells a lot about the internal conditions and, if rusted, I will pass. Nothing like a strong, proofed barrel and a nipple ready to blow out.

He should get a good loading manual and one that is RECENT. My old circa 1972 guides say you can load up to the brim with powder and it will just blow the excess downstream. Ha! Take a look at the work Dr. Sam Fadala did with over-loaded barrels. After the Civil War, an artillery officer got pressures in excess of 100,000 psi using specially patterened balck powder wafers. No, it ain't smokeless but it ain't cap guns, neither.

RedFeather

 

[Zonie]

It's just my opinion, but I would suggest that folks mark their ramrod with a waterproof black ink mark or something like it. It doesn't have to be big, just visible if your looking for it.
I would not recommend scribing a line on the wood though. Even a small notch can cause the ramrod to splinter and drive the sharp end thru your hand or wrist.

 

[jdixon]

Hey Headhunter- hunting report from the PWHA - A buddy of mine and me had been patterning a large buck out there for most of the last month. I hunted the scrapes and rub line early this week - too hot, not moving ect, didn't even see a doe. Couldn't get back to it and my "buddy" took over the hunt. He went out the day after the tornados went thru and the temps hit the floor, but still real windy (Wednesday), ended up taking a 10 point with his Hawken. I scored it out for him, should run in the low 140's B&C after drying! They are out there and hunting pressure is nill during the regular gun season - go get 'em.

 

[KyHeadhunter]

Sounds like a heckuva buck J.R. I'm sure there's still a nice one out there with your name on it. Your description seems typical of thickly forested, mountainous areas. You may not see a ton of deer but there are always some older bucks hiding within. Was not able to make it there for the modern season, but I might try during the December mz season.

I have already marked the ramrod, used a marker but it barely shows up, so I wrapped some masking tape just above the marker until I come up with something better. But I do appreciate the concern for a greenhorn's safety.

My plan is to stick with 80 grains or less powder with the current barrel. If I replace it, I'll be sure to get the new barrel manufacturer's load recommendations & stay well below the max. I'm not going for max performance or long range, just enough to do the job reliably at relatively short range. Have been fortunate to take two does during the modern gun season with an old WWII rifle & open sights (first two I've ever killed with a firearm) & both were well under 50 yards. Kinda reaffirms my belief that a long range weapon isn't necessary.