Your favorite 54 cal Hawken load for elk

[hookiller]

I have tried maxis but my gun shoots the most accurate with round balls. I have tried black FF, pyrodex and now 777. I prefer the higher velocity of the 777 and the ease of clean-up. I traditionally use 100 grains of 777. Have you tried Pioneer Powder? Do you load over 100 grains with round balls? Wht's your big bull load?

Phil

 

[nchawkeye]

We don't have too many big bulls here in NC....mainly big bull
********....Assuming your gun is rated for it 120grs FFg should do the trick....I did a bunch of research 15 or so years ago before I bulit my .54 flintlock...and worked up a good load for black bears...My heavy load is a .530 ball with a .020 patch lubed with SnoSeal, 120 grs FFg and a bit of hornets nest material between the powder and patch to help prevent patch burn....I don't remember the exact figures, but in a .54 somewhere between 120-140gr you start to reach a point of diminishing returns...the velocity gain just isn't there....depending on barrel length etc...

btw...the 1st edition of The LongHunters Society that came out...the largest grizzly bear at that time was killed with a .54 Hawken and 120 grs FF...Good Luck

 

[lonewolf5347]

I have not had a chance at a big bull here in N.Y.S.
but would use my 230 RB a wad and 100 grains of 3f goex in my t/c Renegade 54 cal. flinter,I think under a 100 yard shot and correct bullet placement ,the bull won't go far.
I also have a t/c New Englander 54 cal. that handles the same load,both guns are tack drivers :redthumb:

 

[old aspen]

My favorite big load is 110 gr. FF Goex with a maxi. Bull elk are big, tough animals. The most important thing, obviously is shot placement. How much difference is the accuracy at 50-75 yards? If only a couple of inches, I would lean toward the maxi or conical. With the way hunting is, this gives more angles for opportunity. Do not be surprised if the bull shows no sign of being hit after shot.
Good Luck!

 

[sneakon]

My 54 cal TC Hawken with GM barrel likes 95gr of FFFg Goex with a .535 RB and .18 pre-lubed ticking patch material. That is what I'll be hunting for a bull with in one week.

 

[hookiller]

I appreciate all the good info. I will test fire the maxis again. I like this 777 stuff. Do you all have any experience with it? I will accept only a broadside shot as I do with stick-n-string. I will also try some 120 grain loads. Is there a smaller front sight that I can buy for my TC Hawken? Phil

 

[Black Hand]

75-80 grains of FFFg and Patched .530 roundball.

 

[laufer]

100gr ffg over 0.018 or 0.015patch with .53dia rb worked for me every time. :m2c:

 

[BS]

I have always used Goex, 2 and 3F, just depends upon what your gun likes. My 54 with a 1in72 twist likes 3F and a tight .537RB, about 135 grains of it! Shoots under 3" at 100.

My buddy uses 120FFF in his Renagade, 2F doesn't shoot as well for him.

I would think that any load over 80-90 grains should work just fine, just don't try to strech the barrel!

 

[meathead]

After thirteen years away from Blackpowder Hunting, I will return with the load that I worked up then.I just tested it and everything is up to snuff! I use a Heavy Plains rifle, slant breech Hawken(Track of the Wolf)1 1/18" across the flats, 1 in 66 twist. .530 Ball, .010 patch lubed with melted vasoline. 130 grs. of Goex ffg powder.I cronographed this load and was getting 1850 fps. I took a nice 5X4 white tail buck, 19",at 16[url] paces.Broadside[/url] shot, pinned the heart. Needless to say, through and through penatration! I also took a long yearling Black Bear(nice chocolate)at 107 paces,about 90 to 100 yards. Broadside shoulder shot. Broke the shoulder joint going in,shattered one rib in and one rib out, severed the off side upper leg bone and stopped under the hide on the off side. Ball measured .930 and weighed 230 grns! No loss of ball weight. I love large pure lead round balls!! I have not taken a Elk with the .54, but I am returning to muzzleloading hunting this year, and maybe this year will be special! Shot placement is the most important factor, regardless of what your are throwing at them, Go for it, and good luck!