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My John Bergmann .54 Caliber Hawken

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Joined
Oct 28, 2021
Messages
137
Reaction score
258
Location
Turnersville, TX
I received my Bergmann .54 cal. Hawken about 2 weeks ago. Turned out pretty nice. It was tailored to my LOP and the balance is nice. It weighed 8.5 lbs. I have not developed a load yet due to the brutal heat we are having in Texas. I did find that the rear sight does not work for me in low light. My 72 year old eyes are not as clear as they used to be. I will probably change out the rear sight to a buckhorn sight. Those work pretty good for me. The front sight is a shiny silver blade and really shines in the sun. I like that.

I am looking forward hunting with the rifle this fall/winter in Texas. I had ordered it because I had put in for an elk hunt in New Mexico and wanted something bigger than a .50 and also wanted a custom rifle that did not look like it just came off the shelf at a gun store. Unfortunately I just found out a month ago that I didn't get drawn. I will try and post some target photos of load development in September when the weather around here is cooler.

By the way, John Bergmann let me shoot his Gemmer trapdoor when I went by to see him a few months ago on my way to Knoxville. That is a fun rifle to shoot. That is going to be my next project in the winter months.


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I have seen one or more of John Bergman's guns in past TOTW catalogs.
Very nice guns, definitely quality craftsmanship. Wish I lived closer to builders like him.
Sorry to hear you weren't drawn for an elk tag. This will certainly give you time to fine tune your new 54 and have too much fun.
 
Really like the looks of the guns I've seen from him. Mind saying how much the build was? If so, no problem, PM if you want?
 
I received my Bergmann .54 cal. Hawken about 2 weeks ago. Turned out pretty nice. It was tailored to my LOP and the balance is nice. It weighed 8.5 lbs. I have not developed a load yet due to the brutal heat we are having in Texas. I did find that the rear sight does not work for me in low light. My 72 year old eyes are not as clear as they used to be. I will probably change out the rear sight to a buckhorn sight. Those work pretty good for me. The front sight is a shiny silver blade and really shines in the sun. I like that.

I am looking forward hunting with the rifle this fall/winter in Texas. I had ordered it because I had put in for an elk hunt in New Mexico and wanted something bigger than a .50 and also wanted a custom rifle that did not look like it just came off the shelf at a gun store. Unfortunately I just found out a month ago that I didn't get drawn. I will try and post some target photos of load development in September when the weather around here is cooler.

By the way, John Bergmann let me shoot his Gemmer trapdoor when I went by to see him a few months ago on my way to Knoxville. That is a fun rifle to shoot. That is going to be my next project in the winter months.


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I want THAT
 
I received my Bergmann .54 cal. Hawken about 2 weeks ago. Turned out pretty nice. It was tailored to my LOP and the balance is nice. It weighed 8.5 lbs. I have not developed a load yet due to the brutal heat we are having in Texas. I did find that the rear sight does not work for me in low light. My 72 year old eyes are not as clear as they used to be. I will probably change out the rear sight to a buckhorn sight. Those work pretty good for me. The front sight is a shiny silver blade and really shines in the sun. I like that.

I am looking forward hunting with the rifle this fall/winter in Texas. I had ordered it because I had put in for an elk hunt in New Mexico and wanted something bigger than a .50 and also wanted a custom rifle that did not look like it just came off the shelf at a gun store. Unfortunately I just found out a month ago that I didn't get drawn. I will try and post some target photos of load development in September when the weather around here is cooler.

By the way, John Bergmann let me shoot his Gemmer trapdoor when I went by to see him a few months ago on my way to Knoxville. That is a fun rifle to shoot. That is going to be my next project in the winter months.


View attachment 150676View attachment 150677View attachment 150678
That is a beautiful rifle! it looks like the twin to mine although mine is not made by John. Like you I have fell in love with the silver blade up front on my rifle. At the bench I bury the blade until it is so low it starts to flicker and at a 100 yards it has shot one ragged three shot hole. If you haven't tried this you might want to. It will surprise you. Father time and another malady that comes with age has got me to where it is all I can do to shoot a 6 inch group at a 100 yards now, SIGH!
 
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