New Hawken Woodsman at the range!

[PreglerD]

Hello from Germany!

After getting my new Ardesa/Traditions Woodsman Hawken in .45 with 1 in 66" ROT I first replaced the buckhorn iron sight to an AimRight fieber optic sight. At the range I tested the rifle at 50m freestanding with 50 grs Wano PP and .440 PRB. But I was not so confident, think I'll go back to my 60 grs target load which is well in the .45 Deerhunter.I was able to shoot 126 rings with 15 shots, 150 possible.
After that I tested the rifle with 75 grs Wano PP and .452 Dia Maxiballs(240grs). The result was outstanding: 48 rings with 5 shots, 4x bull, 1x 8. The 4 bulls were at 1.5" together. So this rifle wants harder loads which are also well for hunting!


Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[cowpoke1955]

Dirk,
Congradulations on your new rifle. More meat in the freezer.

 

[Zonie]

I'm glad you found a load your rifle likes.

As you know, many of us here on the forum recommend light loads to new shooters, especially for for target shooting but your post points out a important bit of information.

For the new shooters: Each gun, no matter what the caliber or twist or barrel length, it will have its own favorite powder/ball/patch load and the only way to find out what your gun likes best is to try different combination's.

If the patch is not burned or ripped then the ball/patch/lube is probably about right.
Trying different powder loads, some of them being larger than one would think is needed for a paper target may be just the answer for your guns best accuracy.