A pleasant surprise.

[Whiteoak15]

I was given a CVA Hawken .54 that was obviously a kit gun. It had a Pachmayer recoil pad installed, an AWFUL browning job and a missing patchbox. In addition, there was light rust in the barrel (the reason it was a freebie). Nothing ventured, nothing gained so I scrubbed the bore with abrasive pads and Kroil and lo and behold it shined up beautifully. At the range, I started with 80 gr. of Triple Seven FFG, a .010 patch, and a .532 RB with a 3 to 1 mix of water to Dawn for patch lube. First two shots at the bottom of the target so I calculated sight corrections for center at 50 yards and fired five more. A 1-3/8 inch group dead center!!! I have been a T-C man for years and have three .54 Renegades that I love but I think I have found a new "rainy day" gun! I may try a different powder charge some time but since the rifle gods have apparently blessed me, I think I'll leave VERY well enough alone for now! I've learned that just because it's ugly doesn't mean it won't shoot!

 

[smokeum54]

I've had the same rifle for about 30 years, they are shooters

 

[hanshi]

I had one gifted to me years ago. It was indifferently assembled from a cheap kit and all I did was to clean it up and get it shooting. That ugly sucker was flat-out accurate and killed quite a few deer for me. Beauty and fine shooting don't always go together.

 

[wiscoaster]

... I think I'll leave VERY well enough alone for now! I've learned that just because it's ugly doesn't mean it won't shoot!

Yes; I've also learned that what a bore looks like isn't a good guide to how well it can shoot.