Still working on it.

[beerman3133]

The Hawken 50 Cal is shooting groups, not itty bitty groups, but they are groups. Considering this was closer to a hunting load (80gr FFFg), I was happy. I have been polishing the bore with auto polish paste, still rough, but getting better. I was shooting a .490 ball over a .010 patch, and Goex FFFg Black Powder. This was at 50 yards from shooting sticks.

Dave

 

[roundball]

The Hawken 50 Cal is shooting groups, not itty bitty groups, but they are groups. Considering this was closer to a hunting load (80gr FFFg), I was happy. I have been polishing the bore with auto polish paste, still rough, but getting better. I was shooting a .490 ball over a .010 patch, and Goex FFFg Black Powder. This was at 50 yards from shooting sticks.

Dave

Dave, you really should go to at least a .015" patch...018" if it'll go in OK with a short starter...if so, you should see those groups close right up tight...010" patch isn't much of a patch

 

[Trench]

I agree. I didn't get satisfactory groups in my .50 until I went to .018 pillow ticking. My .015 patches were burning/tearing through, so I would imagine some of your .010 patches are probably blowing through too.
If you go to a thicker patch, let us know what your results are.

 

[beerman3133]

I will shore enuf try some thicker patches. I have some pillow ticking I picked up at china mart, but after measuring it, it comes out at almost .025, now wonder I was having such a devil of a time with it. I also have some .495 RB, and I will try those as well. Next time out I may try doubling up the .010 patches to see how it shoots. Thanks for the advice gents.

Dave

 

[Brik847]

Yeah, try different patch material and it will close up I bet, then you can tweak the lube, the between shot routine, and powder volume.

 

[Thunderchild]

What caused all the smaller tears in the upper left hand corner. Looks like a bullet hit the ground and sprayed sand and rocks at the target. So what is up with the little holes.

 

[beerman3133]

What caused all the smaller tears in the upper left hand corner. Looks like a bullet hit the ground and sprayed sand and rocks at the target. So what is up with the little holes.

Shore enuf, I was making sight adjustments inbetween a couple of shots, and one was way to low, sprayed gravel into the target. I can't wait until this weekend, so I can try some different patch thickness. This gun fouls very quickly, I can get 4 or 5 shots with the .010 patches and a .490 RB, but only 2 shots with the pillow ticking from Wal-Mart, which just happens to be .022 to .025 thick.

Dave

 

[Brik847]

I made the moose juice recipe and use it for lube. Following the recipe makes a lot of the stuff and I pre-lube my patches per the directions. It made a difference in my shooting. I also use TC bore solvent after each shot - one wet patch followed by one dry patch -- and that helped too. I bought some .495 balls too and they fit. I haven't got serious shooting those yet but when it warms up I will. Doing everything I described above shrunk my groups from 4" at best to 1.5" to 2" at 50 yards.

 

[2172]

Dave, I used .010 patching because .015 and a .49 ball required heavy pounding with a mallet...all of the experts here derided so thin a patch, so I picked up some ticking, and after 2 washings, it is about .015-.016 thick...I also bought a .48 ball mould, and am very happy with the results of that combo...I believe the thicker patching is essential, I just doubt our ancestors went into battle with mallets...'hawks maybe, mallets no..Hank

 

[paulvallandigham]

Your ancestors cut fire wood every day, and had hand strength and wrists like OXEN! They would put most all of us to shame. They didn't think anything about pounding a tight fitting ball down the muzzle. Remember, most of those mzzles were coned. Getting them loaded involved only using thumb pressure to push the ball and patch into the barrel far enough that they could cut off the patch material. They they used the ramrod, hand over hand, to run the tight combination down on the powder.

 

[beerman3133]

I will try washing the pillow ticking a few more times, I will also pick up some .015 and .020 patches if I can find them at the local gunshop, I may try doubling up the .010 patches to see how that works. I had really hoped to use the .495 RB, and when I bought them, I bought both .490 and .495, but the .495 get really difficult after a couple of shots. The rifle shoots better after the fouling shot, but only for 3 possibly 4 shots (.490RB and .010 patch). I have a long while until I find out if I have even drawn tags for this year, so I shall keep plugging away, I have 7 1/2# of FFg and 2# of FFg, so I should be able to get in lots of practice, now I need to get my hands on a RB mould, I cast for several other calibers, mostly centerfire pistol (and the mighty 45/70), but I do have some pure lead that should make some great RB.

Dave

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Good evening. I am new to this site, just signed on today. I own a Thompson Center .50 cal Hawken. I have enjoyed shooting it for thirty plus years now. It shoots just as well today as it did when it was new. For your loading and sighting in, stay with one ball size until you have things figured out. The Thompson calls for a .490 ball. I use plain old pillow ticking from the fabric store. Wash the material and let it dry. Next thing is to be consistent with your powder measure. Load the same amount each time for approximately five to ten shots. I use fifty grains at fifty yards for starters. Use a good lube. Then when you are set, shoot the rifle from a sand bagged rest. Hold your point of aim at the same place, no matter where the bullet prints on the target. Once you get an idea which way to adjust the sights, start the process all over again. I don't clean the barrel after each shot. I rarely clean it during a shoot. If you are consistent, you can site the rifle in with three shot groups, adjust the sights and three more shots. It might take you maybe fifteen shots to sight the rifle.