Well, I finally shot it!

[pepperbelly]

I finally got around to shooting my T/C Hawken yesterday after work. I only had an hour so it was mostly to see if I could actually load and fire a muzzleloader.
I can. I had decided on starting with 70gr of FFg. I fired a cap to finish drying the barrel, then loaded. I put powder from the can into the flask, then into the measure then into the barrel. You guys taught me good. I didn't have any problems at all.
The only problem I did come across is that the set trigger on this rifle is TOUCHY! I am not used to set triggers, but after a few shots I got better. It is so light that I had a few rounds go off just before I was ready. I hit paper at 50 yards with all of them so I wasn't too bad. No groups yet but I sense possibilities. I am used to heavier triggers on my Swede M38 Mauser and Swiss K31, etc. I will be able to get used to this. Just need practice.
After I got home I filled a small paint pail with hot soapy water, removed the nipple and barrel and cleaned it. First time for cleaning a bp firearm. I have a bore swab that screws on the rod. I got it wet and started pulling water through the nipple hole until it came out clean. After it was as clean as I figured it was going to get I used a patch to dry the bore, then another patch soaked with alcohol, then more dry patches. All were clean so I used a patch prelubed with T/C Bore Butter to coat the bore.
Cleaning was much easier than I had thought it would be. It only took about 15 minutes for everything.
How did I do?
Jim

 

Sounds like your off to a good start Jim best of luck to ya :RO:

 

[jdixon]

Jim:
You pretty much nailed it. I would stick to the non-petrolum lubes like you did. One that I have become a fan of is Ballistol, it cleans and protects (damn, beginning to sound like a advertisment for the stuff!!!). Most important thing is to clean that sucker ever time you fire it before putting it up.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Those triggers are adjustable. There should be a small screw between the triggers that allows you to change the trigger effort.

 

[Rebel]

Back out the screw between the triggers a half turn and try it again. You can adjust the pull to get it where you want it with that screw. You can do it at home just make sure the hammer is all the way down. Set the trigger and then try the front trigger until it feels like you want.

 

[roundball]

I finally got around to shooting my T/C Hawken yesterday after work. I only had an hour so it was mostly to see if I could actually load and fire a muzzleloader.
I can. I had decided on starting with 70gr of FFg. I fired a cap to finish drying the barrel, then loaded. I put powder from the can into the flask, then into the measure then into the barrel. You guys taught me good. I didn't have any problems at all.
The only problem I did come across is that the set trigger on this rifle is TOUCHY! I am not used to set triggers, but after a few shots I got better. It is so light that I had a few rounds go off just before I was ready. I hit paper at 50 yards with all of them so I wasn't too bad. No groups yet but I sense possibilities. I am used to heavier triggers on my Swede M38 Mauser and Swiss K31, etc. I will be able to get used to this. Just need practice.
After I got home I filled a small paint pail with hot soapy water, removed the nipple and barrel and cleaned it. First time for cleaning a bp firearm. I have a bore swab that screws on the rod. I got it wet and started pulling water through the nipple hole until it came out clean. After it was as clean as I figured it was going to get I used a patch to dry the bore, then another patch soaked with alcohol, then more dry patches. All were clean so I used a patch prelubed with T/C Bore Butter to coat the bore.
Cleaning was much easier than I had thought it would be. It only took about 15 minutes for everything.
How did I do?
Jim

Sounds like you're on your way Jim...and I guess you know the set trigger is adjustable...TC's manual says to set the trigger, screw the adjusting screw in slowly until the trigger just releases, then back the screw out one turn.

I'd like to offer a couple of reminders as I also clean with water, and I use Natural Lube 1000 to lube the bore.

1) When finished cleaning a barrel with hot soapy water, even though the patches start coming out clean looking, there can still be a trace of Natural Lube 1000 in the bore, and a dozen strokes with a good bore brush help prevent gradual buildup of anything in the bore;

2) And remember, even with the patches coming out clean looking, the barrel is still completely covered with a wet solution of black powder residue from everything that got dissolved in the bucket of water, and the barrel should then be pump flushed in a separate pail of clean fresh water to rinse it off;

3) You need to be certain to get the bore 100% bone dry all the way down into the patent breech before applying lube;

4) IMO, T/C's Natural Lube 1000 cleaning & seasoning patches don't have anywhere near enough lube on them, and I believe a few repeated applications of NL1000 spread onto a patch are the best bet to ensure the bore surfaces are completely plastered with lube to keep air from touching any surfaces;

Using water to clean with and a Natural Lube to lube with, the best advice is 100% clean, 100% dry, 100% lubed...with strong emphasis on 100%.
:m2c:

PS: If you don't already have one, call TC's Customer Service and they'll send you a free copy of their owner's manual for the Hawken...has a good set of load data charts in the back too...Enjoy!
:redthumb:

 

[pepperbelly]

Roundball I will flush with clean water from now on. I didn't use a bore brush as I was afraid of it becoming stuck in the bore like I have read about. I will also make sure it is 100% dry. I may clean it again this weekend even if I don't shoot.
I will definately adjust that trigger. It's just too light for me, but then again it may be right and the problem is just my inexperience.
One other thing I did was to put the can of powder in a range bag on a bench about 10 feet back along with the flask.
Was I being too cautious? I was afraid of lighting it up when it went off.
Jim

 

[Rebel]

If the lid was on the can tightly, and no powder was on the top of the can there isn't much chance of it going off, but you can never be Too SAFE. Same goes for the flask. As long as it was closed and no powder on it.

 

[roundball]

Roundball I will flush with clean water from now on. I didn't use a bore brush as I was afraid of it becoming stuck in the bore like I have read about. I will also make sure it is 100% dry. I may clean it again this weekend even if I don't shoot.
I will definately adjust that trigger. It's just too light for me, but then again it may be right and the problem is just my inexperience.
One other thing I did was to put the can of powder in a range bag on a bench about 10 feet back along with the flask.
Was I being too cautious? I was afraid of lighting it up when it went off.
Jim

FYI...bore brushes are usually made in one of two designs:
A wire is twisted with the bristles captured across between the twists, and the two ends of the twisted wire are 'crimped' into the section that threads into the ramrod...this is NOT the best design because it could pull loose out of the crimp and remain downbore;

The better design is where the twisted wire actually passes through a hole in the section that screws onto the ramrod and is much stronger, no crimp to pull out of, etc.

And if you should get a bore brush momentarily hung up at the bottom of the downstroke, simply rotate the ramrod so the bristles all bend around, which lessens their grip on the bore and slide it back out...and after a few strokes, a new brush usually doesn't bind up anymore anyway.

Something I've discovered that makes range shooting safer and much more convenient for me, is to use empty 35mm film canisters with pre-measured powder charges in them...I pick up a few dozen canisters at any photo place for free, take a few minutes in the garage and load them up with whatever powder charge I intend to shoot at the range the next time out, drop them all into a large ziploc bag and go to the range. Then at the range there's no fuss, no bother, no wasted time, only have one charge open at any given time, etc.

PS: To avoid letting a distraction make you forget if you've already poured a charge or seated a ball down the bore, consider the following:
When you get to the range, make one good complete load, then with the ramrod still sitting down on the seated load, wrap a piece of electrician's tape around the rod flush with the muzzle...then you'll see at a glance every time you load the rifle (with that particular load combo) that it looks right.
If the tape goes deep into the muzzle, you'll know immediately you forgot to put in powder or ball...conversely, if your tape stops above the muzzle, you'll know immediately you've double charged or doubleballed, or both.

 

[Zonie]

Sounds like ye done good!

You might find that you like shooting your gun without "setting " the rear trigger. It should take several pounds to fire it.

You will never be able to set the trigger with the adjusting screw to the 3 pound or more your used to with your other guns.
All the screw really does is to allow the trigger notch to engage the rear trigger sear a little more. It will always be "real easy" to fire if the rear trigger is cocked.

On the other hand, after you get used to it, you might find the triggers on your other guns leave a lot to be desired.
It's easy to get spoiled to the super light trigger pull of a set trigger.

If you get a chanch, try firing your smokepole a little after sundown. You won't believe the size of the ball of fire that's coming out of that barrel!!! :: ::

 

[pepperbelly]

I may try adjusting the set trigger some, but I did start to really like the light pull.
As far as getting distracted I have always been able to concentrate on anything firearm related like handloading, shooting, etc. I made it a point to throw the powder charge and the patched round ball in the same step. I tend to ignore people talking to me until I have reached a good stopping point. I have read a lot of posts about removing a ball with no powder thrown so I am trying to avoid that little problem.
I put the powder in the measure, laid the measure on the bench, pulled a patch out and a ball and laid them near. I then threw the powder charge, set the measure down and picked up the prb and loaded it.
I am looking forward to shooting it at night as well as shooting at something other than paper.
I was really dreading cleaning the barrel. I had never cleaned a bp firearm before and my imagination made it seem tough. It was actually easier than cleaning some of my other rifles- no bolt to take apart.
Now I have to work on my shooting. I have become lazy and been shooting from sandbags on the bench too long. My offhand skills have deteriorated some over the years.
Jim

 

[Mulebrain]

Sounds like fun! I may take my son to the range this weekend.

I have alway used bore brushes, and have found you can get it out. When the brush bottoms out, just twist it to the right and that will free it.

 

[roundball]

As far as getting distracted I have always been able to concentrate on anything firearm related like handloading, shooting, etc.

Well, that'll be great if that's the[url] case...in[/url] spite of being as focused as I feel that I am after 25+ years of reloading and now muzzleloading, I've still personally done it a few times and have always been thankful for the tape mark.

For example, I've been in the middle of shooting / loading on a windy day and had a gust of wind blow some items off the bench...laid the rifle down, went around and picked up the odds and ends, set things back up, etc...but before I get back to the rifle somebody walks up and asks "where's so and so today", and by the time I get refocused on loading, I don't even try to trust my memory if I had just seated a ball, or if I was just about to seat a ball...I just slide the range rod in to see where I left off

Some here have posted an old saying something like: 'there are two kinds of muzzleloading enthusiasts...those who have dry-balled, and those who will'...so the ramrod mark helps me know if/when I've done it...cause I sure do it from time to time

 

[pepperbelly]

RB you make a good point. I have also been handloading since the late '60s. I understand the statement that there are those who have had an incident, and those who will.
Dad accidentally threw a double charge while loading some .38 Super. It only blew the mag out of the pistol, but it really got our attention. So far that is our only loading incident but we stay on our toes.
Jim

 

[rayb]

Glad you decided to shoot it. It gets better with every shot.
rayb

 

[Tahquamenon]

:thumbsup: