I have a TC Hawkins 50 cal.....what is the best load for this gun? I want to use conical bullets and not round ball with patch...will be using 2F powder...also might have my son shooting....what is the lowest effective charge for deer? Thanks...
Just keep hitting the range, and play around with different loads, etc, and you will find something that works. Once you find out what your gun likes, then stick with it. Some guys play around and never decide upon the correct load. Once you hit pay dirt stay there.Just FYI. Great feedback, I'm learning along with RuffedG. Since I did not harvest during archery or rifle, I am counting on my first attempt with flintlock using the same rifle... Thanks all.
Rooster says TOO MUCH GUN....100GRS :surprise2::surprise2::surprise2:I have a TC hawken. 100 gr. of 2F and 250 gr. shockwave. 3” consistent groups at 100 yards off sandbags.
Try shooting a maxi-hunter vrs 370 max ball in hawkins .50 cal..Get back to me on what happens..Testing we did not only us but factory in New york I used to talk to them a lot years ago ..You would not believe how many barrels went back to Thompson because of maxi-hunters..They sent barrels back with note its fine.....Never heard of longer/heavier bullets stabilizing better in a slower twist as a rule. Thing ive found with my muzzleloaders is you have to determine what you consider acceptable accuracy and experiment with different projectile/load combos till you hit that sweet spot.
These PA Conicals are 240 grain sledgehammers !!I shoot TC Hawken 50cal w/ 240 PA Conical and have finally got "My load" right. 85gr 3F (little faster burn) and just the conical.............................
What twist is your mountain rifle? Tried them out of 2 1-48 rifles with several powder combos and couldnt get good groups....however my uncle has a 1-48 pa pellet...same as mine and they shoot lights out. As prior poster mentioned you have to experiment with YOUR individual gun. Not the first load ive tried that someone elses gun shoots great but doesnt shoot worth a darn in my same exact model gun.These PA Conicals are 240 grain sledgehammers !!
I shoot them out of my Mountain Rifle over 80 gr. FFFg and it shoots bugholes to any distance ya got any business shooting with open sights.
EVERY deer I ever shot with a PA Conical had two holes in it.