Powder load

I am new to BP hunting and am preparing for next year's hunt I will be using a Hawkens 45 cal. I am wondering what would be a decent powder load out to 75 yds I will be shooting a.440 PRB. I will be using Goex powder I have both 2F and 3F. I am thinking no more than 70 GR.

I think you have a good idea where to be at already. I'd just say that each gun has it's own "personality" and the only way to know exactly what it prefers is by taking it out and making some smoke.

Reread Silky's last sentence. Go shoot and see what the gun prefers. That includes what ball size and patch thickness. If the gun shoots best with that ball and patch at 70 grains, use it. If that ball and patch shoot best at 65, or halfway between the 70 and 75 grain marks on your measure, use what it tells you to use. You have a year. Change one thing at a time and try that ball with different patches, try a different ball, with a couple different patches. Let's say two ball and patch combos equal the same number when you add the ball diameter and patch thickness together, some guns will like the smaller ball with the thicker patch, some will like the larger ball with the thinner patch. Follow?
You've got a year. Buy at least 2 pounds of real black powder (more is better) and try to burn at least one up by next deer season.

Have fun.

Welcome ....
Lots of members here swear by the 45 cal. for whitetails...
what length bbl. rifling and twist?
found a tight patch ball combo shot best.
patch weave imprint on round ball.
You can test this by cutting a long patch strip.lube it and start a round ball down the bore..then simply
pull out the started round ball by the long patch and inspect.
Stay way from prelubed patches...due to age and shelf life.
I use mink oil for a hunting patch lube.
at the range I use Hoppe's bp lube.
Don't be afraid to try 2f and 3f in your load work up.
Start at 50 grains and work up. 10 grain bumps.
stop when you can no longer clover leaf at 50.

That will get you in the park.

Good luck and we all expect a report when you find your happy load..one of the things I enjoy doing with these rifles.

More powder! More Lead!

here's an example of load work up.
holes touching...now to tap sight the right direction.

3" target at 50 yards

aim small- miss small. rings true.

I like the .45 and have taken a good many deer with a couple I own. I've killed them using 65 grains of 3F all the way up to 80 grains of 3F. The advice posted is spot on so listen to what they've posted.

If by 'Hawkens .45' you are referring to T/C's .45 caliber Hawken Rifle, then extensive testing during the 80's with several of them got best group with 70 grains FFg Goex, .015 Ox-Yoke Wonder patches, lard/beeswax lube and a .440" round ball. 90 grains FFg nearly 1990 fps velocity. We had a lot of giggles plinking beer cans and stuff with a 40 grain FFFg load. Knocked over a few yotes with it too!

Yes it is a TC Hawkens and the fellow I got it from said 70 GR Goex 2ff was dead on he didn't quote the yards. But he give me the Goex powder and balls and patches he used.

That was the old stand-by! :thumbsup:

I rendezvoused for many years in the 70's and early 80's. I shot with many very experienced men that used 45 and 50 caliber ML's.

Rule of thumb was 3FFF for guns from .32 to 50 cal. 2FF for .54 cal and up. If it was me I'd say 70gr's of 3FF would be an ideal load for the .45