[secret]

need some help here guys..... im dying to shoot it need help to get a good load started

 

[jim stemler]

is that a rifle?go bye the grooves

 

[secret]

its my hawkens

 

[jim stemler]

yep grove diamiter

 

[secret]

need help with what size patch and ball .......the barrel wasnt marked ... forget what i ordered back in the late 80s

 

[secret]

if you enlarge the photo it looks to be 52 cal. is that possible?

 

[jim stemler]

well it could vary a little but should be right about 490.cant rember patch size im shootin,but you can play with that.if its cuttin the patches when you shoot then go thinner.

 

[secret]

.490 50 cal? what would you use for lube on patches.

 

[410-er]

Try a .490 or .495 with some .024 denim(old jeans)to start.Can lube with olive oil.You want a little snug but not to hammer to start.You can varry patch size from there.
The guys that have 56 cal often use 54 balls with a heavy patch.

 

[jim stemler]

lots a lube recipes.i use bear fat and beeswax.never tried store bought stuff.

 

[Grey Bear Jr]

It is a 50. You have to measure below the crown. If it is the Hawkins made by TC or CVA, they did not make a .52. Start with a 490 roundball and .15 patch. See how that grabs the rifling Should be tight but not so hard that you cannot push it down with reasonable force. Never hammer a ball. Sometimes guns prefer a 495 ball and .10 patch. Experiment and see what works for you.

GBJ

 

[secret]

just on track the wolf they have .495 balls and .20 wonderlube patches would that work?

 

[jim stemler]

some times i wish the people i meet on forums lived closer.i can show them better telling them

 

[410-er]

Stuck my bore gauge where you have yours and got about the same.Go with a .490 ball and .015-.020 patch.

 

[secret]

it is a dixie gun works barrel purchased in 1984 i dont know where my paperwork went so im ask your best guess?

 

[jim stemler]

you got to experiment with patch sizes to see what works best

 

[secret]

should i buy both round balls and 2 types of patches ? what about a powder load to start with?

 

[jim stemler]

try 490 ball and 2 size patches 2 f for barrel 4f for pan

 

[jim stemler]

start about 65-70 grain

 

[long hunter]

If you are measuring a muzzleloader barrel you measure across the lands not the groves.