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Field Testing the switch from Pyrodex to Black powder

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jrubin

32 Cal.
Joined
Mar 15, 2016
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I'd taken the time to specifically test my Hawken given the switch from Pyrodex over to Goex black powder so that a determination could be made as to the proper grain to use for this transition. As you will see in the video it was not a 1:1 as most bottles might indicate given similar granulation.

Click here for video
 
Just getting "An error occurred. Please try again." General oops there!

A lot will depend on which black powder brand you use too since there will be slight performance between brands. Solved the problem by using Goex FFFg in everything...just adjust amount of loads to suit bore size. Your mileage may vary, but just remember to clean the gun no matter what you use for powder. Black is hydroscopic and can rust, but Pyro and all the synthetics leave potassium chloride which when damp can pit even deeper and faster than black. The point is this...clean out any muzzleloader as soon as you can and sleep soundly! :wink:
 
i've added a link because you youtube function of the forum is broken, try again
 
That did it...good video. The 60 grain FFFg under a patched .490 ball is the same we use for a twice yearly, 3-day shoot in south Texas introducing highschool kids to muzzleloading. It's a state sponsored shoot for all shooting sports but we do muzzleloading. We use a T/C Greyhawk and Pedersoli Frontier, essentially the modern commercial version of the Hatfield. Tried to get a shiny and a traditional for the kids. The 60 grain load is accurate in both rifles and powerful enough to get a good loud ding on the 90 yard iron ram...powerful enough one young lady knocked off his male member on a low hold! Poor dear was so embarrassed but after a few cabron jokes (though actually for goat) she went away bragging and smiling.

It's rewarding to see how they take to it and it amazes me the girls usually outshoot the boys and the smallest girls are usually the snipers! :haha: It's those tiny 4'-10"" ones who don't look like they weigh 90 pounds with the pockets full of buckshot and fishing sinkers that ask if they shoot the big gun and then announce they want to do it again! Can't help but laugh and smile. I also dig out a fired ball from the dirt backstop to show them during the intro session...it's a good visual aid for showing them what it can do.

Your technique is good and looks like you found a load the gun really likes...it's a good one and more than tough enough for hunting up through deer sized critters. Only thing I noticed is that you often rested the rifle on the ramrod forward of the fore end cap. This isn't dangerous but you might encounter less tendency to rock if bedded on either the forearm or removed it during shooting so the rest touches the bottom of the barrel. Welcome to the smell of black powder! :haha: :thumbsup:
 
Funny note:

This is a left handed, Tradition Hawken .50cal. I bought it at a gun show at a booth operated by a pawn shop. They had assumed it a showpiece (fake) with the lock being on the wrong side and sold it for a hundred bucks. Further inspection, that I did onsite and thereafter found it not only to be authentic, but never fired.
 
Traditions 'Hawken Woodsman' has been around a few years and is their slightly improved version of the older CVA 'St. Louis Hawken' from the mid 90's...perhaps older. They advertise both percussion and flint but don't specifically mention left handed versions. They don't mention that option in any of their traditional side lock guns though we all know they make them. What ever that all may mean, they currently list at $479.95 so you got a great deal! :thumbsup: :wink:

Haven't seen current loading data for yours but the older CVA version got 1712 fps for a .490 patched ball over 90 grains FFg dn 1939 fps over 110 grains. That's pretty good for a 28" barrel length. I don't see the need for that kind of velocity for our whitetail but if you decided to poach elk or buffalo from the LBJ Ranch.... :shocked2: :haha: :wink:
 
actually,

They dont currently list at all or haven't for quite some time. If tradition is making a left handed Hawken again it is of recent origin. Id spoken with them last year and they said they has stopped production it 10 years previous. I know Pedersoli ha recently put a left handed one into production. This might have enticed tradition.
 
It's possible or yours may just be an older one that's been kept boxed and virgin...no real way to tell unless they'll admit to a serial number time period.
 
Im not overly concerned, I had no plans to keep it as an unused shelf piece.
 
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