Pyrodex P in .50 cal TC Hawken

[vsparto]

Anyone shoot Pyrodex P in the 1 in 48 TC Hawken .50 cal.

I have tried it and it seems very good. Only took 5 shots with a 60 grain .490 pb load. I just got the Hawken used and am still working out the load. I know it doesn't like .018 patches. Hard loading and didn't hit the paper at 50 yards.

Used a .015 oiled oxyoke patch and hit a 3" circle at 50 yards free standing. With 60 grains of Pyrodex P. I ran an alcohol patch between shots. So has anyone had good experiences with the above. What shoots the best in your TC Hawken .50 1 in 48" ?

 

[Rebel]

I used it in all my caplock rifles that were .50 cal. If it groups good for you, then it is ok to use.

 

[Runner]

I used it in everything from my pistol to my shotgun for years. Manufacturers used to warn you to cut your load by 10 to 15 percent when using 3f in a 50. Over the years, they have gradually stopped recommending it for the 50's at all, and some are moving towards 40 being the biggest they recommend it for. I paid no a attention to the changes myself, but I don't know how wise that is. There are articles out there that indicate erosion in the breech area due to heavy loads of 3f powwders in the larger calibers. I don't shoot heavy loads except for testing anymore and I had used it so long when the articles were published that I could see no reason to change.

Bottom line is that we should all be using the manufacturers recommended loads in our guns. Is there a 3f or P load in the manual? A great many of us do it, but there are othwer wayus to get to the same place.

 

[roundball]

I know it doesn't like .018 patches. Hard loading and didn't hit the paper at 50 yards.

Amazing...the TC Hawken was built around TC's .018" pillow ticking patches...every one of mine is a tack driver with them...
::

 

[Charles/NM]

I use Pyrodex RS or Select depending on what I have on hand. I have found the Select to be more accurate, but they have RS at Wal Mart. Guess what I use more? I've thought about about using P. A whole self of RS has kept me from doing it.
I usually shoot a 3/4" to 1 1/2" standing group at 50 yards depending on the quality of my Mojo on a particular day. If I'm particularly wobbly I squat down and use my shooting sticks. Boy does that ever help! I use 60 to 80 grains of RS, .490" balls cast in a T/C mold from recycled airgun pellet lead, Ox Yoke prelubed wad, .015" washed blue stripe pillow ticking from WM cut at the muzzle and T/C yellow lube in the tube. Anything heavier than .015" patching and I have to drive the ball down the barrel - not good. I don't do anything to the bore between shots. I've found that with me and my gun accuracy goes to hell if I do so. I use a powder measure that has a funnel attached. I fill the tube up to slightly overflowing and swing the funnel into position to wipe off the excess powder. I feel that the wiping action of the funnel gives me a consistent load each time and helps accuracy. I always put the same amount of pressure on the ram rod for each shot. Think that helps too.

 

[cayugad]

I have shot and still shoot Pyrodex P in my rifles and revolvers. When I don't have Pyrodex P around then I shoot Goex FFFg. I like the finer grade powders.

I started shooting Pyrodex P because I got into black powder revolvers and always had a few pounds of that around.. One day after running out of Pyrodex RS I loaded up the Pyrodex P and cut the charge 10%. I liked the difference in the fowling and the accuracy was exceptional. I've been shooting it ever since.

I will say some rifles of mine like it and some hate it. I have a Tradtion's Pioneer .50 caliber that will shoot much tighter groups using FFg grade powders then any other powder out there. Then again, my .50 caliber Thompson Hawkins will shoot much better with FFFg grade powders.

All you can do it try it. Keep good notes about what you observe and give all the different powders a fair test. I did this one whole summer and at the end of the summer discovered Goex FFFg shot the best over all in most of my rifles...

Pyrodex P shoots real good in most inline rifles also...

 

[vsparto]

Yeah, my Hawken I picked up used about a month ago and shot it for the first time last Saturday. It hadn't been shot for a long while. Dust in the barrel and fairly dry with a little surface rust in the barrel. I had to pound the ball down with the .018 TC pillow ticking. I dropped the rifle on the concrete and nicked the barrel pretty badly when trying to get the last one down. It was in very nice shape before that. Switched to the .015 oxyoke oiled patch and it went down easier. Still fairly tight but hit the bulls eye. The other shots didn't hit the 8 X 11 paper. Going to put more through it this weekend to loosen her up. I like pyrodex p sofar. Easy to work with. I have APP that I use in the inline that works very well. Maybe I'll try that eventually.

 

[cayugad]

Yeah, my Hawken I picked up used about a month ago and shot it for the first time last Saturday. It hadn't been shot for a long while. Dust in the barrel and fairly dry with a little surface rust in the barrel. I had to pound the ball down with the .018 TC pillow ticking. I dropped the rifle on the concrete and nicked the barrel pretty badly when trying to get the last one down. It was in very nice shape before that. Switched to the .015 oxyoke oiled patch and it went down easier. Still fairly tight but hit the bulls eye. The other shots didn't hit the 8 X 11 paper. Going to put more through it this weekend to loosen her up. I like pyrodex p sofar. Easy to work with. I have APP that I use in the inline that works very well. Maybe I'll try that eventually.

If you dropped the rifle, be sure and check the sights. I learned that when my dog was kind enough to knock my .58 caliber off the range stand. When I shot it next the place it hit made me really wonder until I looked at the sights.

If your T/C Hawkins is like my Renegades, they like strong charges and a patched roundball.

As for APP.. I have never personally shot APP but I do shoot Clean Shot which is what APP used to be called, out of sidelocks all the time with excellent results I might add. I can shoot all day with the Clean Shot and never have to swab the barrel. A small sporting goods went out of business many years ago and I went in and bought up all their pyrodex, clean shot, and Triple Se7en. The price was just too good. I have only a small amount of clean shot left and figure I will get some APP real soon.

 

[sidelock]

Dump the substitute and go to real BP. Try 90gr 2f with .015 patch. My T/C .50 Hawken will place them at 1/2" at 50 yd. Good luck and enjoy. :results: :redthumb: