Shot my Stith/Bergmann J&S Hawken today

I shot my Stith J&S Hawken built by John Bergmann for the first time today. The pics and description of this rifle can be found here:
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/246459/

I've got to say, it's a keeper. I only shot one load, as I wanted to get my hunting load - 110 gr of Goex FFg, Eastern Maine Shooting Supplies .018 pillow ticking patch and Trapper's Pure Mink Oil, both sold by TOTW with a .530 grain ball at 50 yards. Initially, I was shooting about 3 inches above the bull, but dead nuts on for windage. My sight picture was such that I was settling the front sight so that it was even with the flats in the rear sight. Then I found that if the front sight was just sliiightly above the flats of the rear sight, I could aim dead on and be typically about an inch high, which is where I wanted it. I could see that front sight better, too.

All my groups were nice and tight once I found the right sight picture. I've attached a pic of one of my groups, 6 shots, with one flyer that was high and to the right. I actually had some groups that were even better, but only took a pic of this one. The flyer came after I took a second shot without cleaning first, as I was cleaning after every shot with the others - don't know if that had anything to do with it or it was just me. Anyway, I've found the load I need for hunting!

Bri--Looking Good!..How did the new rifle feel? Fit and finish? How fun!
There goes the whitetail population in Wisconsin.. :grin:

Dan, the new rifle feels great. It's heavy, but balances well, thanks to the tapered 1 1/8" to 1" barrel. The drop in the stock feels great, too, and was much easier to sight down the barrel than my T/C Hawken rifles, which for me have way too high of a comb. Recoil was virtually nil, I'm sure in large part due to the weight. It's really neat to have an authentic looking rifle with fixed sights that are right on.

Yes, I've moved back from the congested hell of the east coast to Wisconsin and am now 16 minutes from our new home to the gate of our land, which is where I shot today!

Try 60-70 grains of 3f. I'll bet you'll like it.