Chrono Results with My .40 Caliber Investarms Hawken

[PastorB]

Just for giggles today, and to start using up some 30+ year old Pyro RS (I ain't getting any younger), I put my .40 cal. after-market barrel onto my .54 Charles Daly/Investarms Hawken. I have no need for a .40 cal, don't even quite remember how/why I acquired it, so this is the first time shooting that barrel in 15+ years.

All loads used a .395 PRB, pre-lubed .010 patch, and CCI #11 caps. Barrel is 28" long.
I did not clean between shots, except using a spit patch while loading, as I was not shooting specifically for accuracy. Bottom group is the 20 and 30 grain loads, top is the 50 and 70 grain loads. With a dirty barrel, and varying powder charges, it kept it about 2" @ 50 yards. That is as good as I shoot anymore with my old eyes and open sights. With Pyro P, Swiss 3f, or 777, max loads would have been well in excess of 2000 fps. In every gun I own, short or long, Pyro RS is the exact equivalent of Goex 3f, ballistically. That is a conclusion based upon thousands of rounds over the chrono. Manufacturers data may "exaggerate" (T/C), but chronos don't lie, nor have preferences or agendas. All loads measured by volume, 3 shot averages.

20 grains. 1020 fps
30 grains 1110 fps
50 grains. 1550 fps
70 grains 1910 fps

 

[Tim_IA]

Just for giggles today, and to start using up some 30+ year old Pyro RS (I ain't getting any younger), I put my .40 cal. after-market barrel onto my .54 Charles Daly/Investarms Hawken. I have no need for a .40 cal, don't even quite remember how/why I acquired it, so this is the first time shooting that barrel in 15+ years.

All loads used a .395 PRB, pre-lubed .010 patch, and CCI #11 caps. Barrel is 28" long.
I did not clean between shots, except using a spit patch while loading, as I was not shooting specifically for accuracy. Bottom group is the 20 and 30 grain loads, top is the 50 and 70 grain loads. With a dirty barrel, and varying powder charges, it kept it about 2" @ 50 yards. That is as good as I shoot anymore with my old eyes and open sights. With Pyro P, Swiss 3f, or 777, max loads would have been well in excess of 2000 fps. In every gun I own, short or long, Pyro RS is the exact equivalent of Goex 3f, ballistically. That is a conclusion based upon thousands of rounds over the chrono. Manufacturers data may "exaggerate" (T/C), but chronos don't lie, nor have preferences or agendas. All loads measured by volume, 3 shot averages.

20 grains. 1020 fps
30 grains 1110 fps
50 grains. 1550 fps
70 grains 1910 fps

Interesting, just 20 grains is giving you plenty of energy (215 fpe) for most small game easily. That of course if it is accurate with that load.

 

[PastorB]

Interesting, just 20 grains is giving you plenty of energy (215 fpe) for most small game easily. That of course if it is accurate with that load.

I'm too big a sissy to shoot small game anymore. Heck, I passed on a BIG buck that walked by at 20 yards, just a week or so ago because I've gone so soft. That barrel is very accurate. Before I got on the wrong side of six decades, it shot one hole groups @50 yards. The barrel was custom made by a very competitive shooter, and he would have trashed a barrel before producing what he considered junk. Still can't remember know how I ended up with it though.

I used to head shoot squirrels and bunnies with the .54, and 30 grains of powder. If I had to hunt small critters to survive, I've got "optically enhanced" rimfire rifles that are far better suited for that task.

 

[Tim_IA]

I'm too big a sissy to shoot small game anymore. Heck, I passed on a BIG buck that walked by at 20 yards, just a week or so ago because I've gone so soft. That barrel is very accurate. Before I got on the wrong side of six decades, it shot one hole groups @50 yards. The barrel was custom made by a very competitive shooter, and he would have trashed a barrel before producing what he considered junk. Still can't remember know how I ended up with it though.

I used to head shoot squirrels and bunnies with the .54, and 30 grains of powder. If I had to hunt small critters to survive, I've got "optically enhanced" rimfire rifles that are far better suited for that task.

If you ever tire of owning that barrel, let me know, I might be interested!