Pedersoli .54 Mountain Rifle (Hawken-type)

[springfield art]

I mentioned here I had won one, percussion, recently at a raffle. I'm going to shoot it soon; what would be a good starting point? I'd say 60 gr. FFFg w/ patched round ball. It has the slow twist, not the faster twist for 'bullets'.

 

[towgunner11h]

That sounds reasonable. My Renegade preferred a bigger charge, but 60 grains is a good starting point. Let accuracy be your guide from there.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Or you could skip the starting point and go to what has proven to be an excellent load, 80 grains of 2fg and a patched round ball.

 

[Grenadier1758]

To give a total blind starting point, I would say 65 to 70 grains of 3fg black powder, 0.010 under sized to bore ball, wrapped in a sample lubricated cotton drill cloth patch and you may not need to move your sights or you may just be starting a 100 round load development process.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

60 should get you going and should be fairly mild on the kickback.

 

[Daveboone]

Certainly safe and reasonable starting at 60 grains. I shoot my .54 flinter with 80 with a .015 patch.

 

[Thingamajiggy]

Would say that's a great place to start. Found that all of my .54s through the years seem to fall around the 80 - 90grs of 2F for decent all around hunting loads.

 

[towgunner11h]

I have also found this true in my Renegade as well- 80-90 grain range.

 

[flconch53]

I mentioned here I had won one, percussion, recently at a raffle. I'm going to shoot it soon; what would be a good starting point? I'd say 60 gr. FFFg w/ patched round ball. It has the slow twist, not the faster twist for 'bullets'.

That's what my 54 renegade likes.

 

[Shortfingers]

Or you could skip the starting point and go to what has proven to be an excellent load, 80 grains of 2fg and a patched round ball.

 

[springfield art]

Or you could skip the starting point and go to what has proven to be an excellent load, 80 grains of 2fg and a patched round ball.

Know what? I've written that down and will try it! The rifle is a real solid piece of steel, and it's easy to imagine a buffalo hunter reaching out at a target to launch a big .54 ball! Thanks! I sense that that little bit of wisdom comes recommended!

 

[springfield art]

I'm fortunate to have a goodly supply of BP in stock, of all grades, and look forward to pretending to be a buffalo hunter; though I'd never shoot at anything other than a paper or clay target or what have you.