Shooting a CVA Hawken 54 this weekend

[wellfedirishman]

(Posted originally on CastBoolits forum)

So I picked up an almost new CVA Hawken 54 percussion rifle a while back on Gunbroker.



Yesterday I got to take it out to the range for the first time. What a blast!

I was shooting about 80 grains equivalent of Pyrodex RS with a patched 54 cal round ball. At 25 yards, the gun shot about 1 foot high with the sights at the lowest level.

On the target below, I was shifting the sight around trying to get it centered and get the elevation correct. There are 2 distinct groups, lower right and center left. The gun can certainly group well, I just need to get the sights dialed in and probably replace the front sight with a taller one so I don't have to hold so far under the target.



Anyone else shoot one of these? There were a bunch of kids shooting black rifles at the range with me, and several of them came up to take a look and expressed how much fun it looked.

Edit: As you can see from the target is was pouring rain (and windy as heck) the while I was shooting. So much for California sunshine.

UPDATE - 3/27/2011 - Rain cleared so I took it out again to a different range with 50 and 100 yards target positions.

So the rain finally cleared up, and faced with a Sunday of watching basketball or shooting, I took the clear choice and headed off for the range...



Load: Hornady 535 Round ball + TC lubed patch + approx 80-85 grains of Pyrodex RS (a full 45-70 case of it), with CCI Magnum #11 caps.

Target at 50 yards (aiming about 18 inches below the actual target shown):



Target at 100 yards (aiming about 18 inches below the actual target shown):


So this gun can clearly shoot. It is certainly minute of deer vitals at 100 yards. With a new higher front sight I think this could be promising.

[Tanner68]

I have a Lymans Great Plains in .54. One of my favorite guns to shoot. I had the opposite problem, and had to file the front site down.

It's a good thing you got a chance to shoot it. Maybe give some real BP a try next time. It is always good to get more Calgunners into the BP fold.

[yakmon]

i've got a traditions st. louis hawkins rifle that i built from a kit, one of my favorite guns at the range.

[wellfedirishman]

The funny thing is that everyone who sees it asks a bunch of questions etc. I think that lots of folks like BP guns, but don't quite know how to go about shooting them.

I did try real BP also (60 grain loads) and it shot fine with that. I just had a pound of Pyrodex to use up, and figured that this was as good a way as any. Both Pyrodex and BP shoot the same on the target, although real BP ignites more reliably (to be expected). I have found that duplex loads (20 gr FFFg + 60 gr volume equivalent of Pyrodex) provide better ignition every time.

I use real BP FFFg in my percussion revolvers and find it shoots great.

It's a good thing you got a chance to shoot it. Maybe give some real BP a try next time. It is always good to get more Calgunners into the BP fold.

[wellfedirishman]

Blackpowder Bob, I think you misunderstood. I am using PyrodexRS (Rifle Shotgun) for this shooting. The FFFg is for a small starter/igniter load, 20 grains of FFFg is about a light 36 cal pistol charge.

However, to clarify for anyone reading, don't stuff your rifle with a full charge of FFFg (fine grain pistol powder) as the pressures are higher than when using FFg (rifle powder) due to the faster burn rate.

Not in a .54! FF for a .54 rifle and if using Pyrodex, then RS, not P. If anyone would like to see a tutorial on Bp shooting, go to www.CVA.com and watch the series for free.

[Dolk]

I shoot a Investarms Hawkins Hunter in .58 cal. 525 grain conical. It is very punishing on your shoulders with a heavy charge.

But, it can knock down anything (just about).

Dolk

[Flintlock Tom]

Welcome to the Dark Side.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I have a Traditions .54 caliber Hawkins. I have been using sabots on top of 100 grains of FFg. Not very traditional, but still very effective. I also have a .45 snapping matchlock and a .36 underhammer. Front stuffers are fun. One of these days I'll try to get the matchlock out for deer, but it has to be under the right weather conditions. Not too dry, where the match could ligh a wild fire. And not to wet, as the thing is likely to not ignite. In the mean time, the underhammer does a number on rabbits, and isn't particularly bothered by the weather. If it were just a bit larger caliber for something other than bunnies, I probably wouldn't even bother with the other two for hunting.

[wellfedirishman]

GTMB,

That Matchlock sounds interesting, I have never seen one. Do you have a pic?

Black Powder is fun because you get the boom/smoke that modern firearms don't provide, and half the time the old guns outshoot some of the newer stuff. There was a guy with a brand new M1A Scout 308 at the range beside me when I took the latter set of pics, and I observed that my groups were tighter than his...

I have a Traditions .54 caliber Hawkins. I have been using sabots on top of 100 grains of FFg. Not very traditional, but still very effective. I also have a .45 snapping matchlock and a .36 underhammer. Front stuffers are fun. One of these days I'll try to get the matchlock out for deer, but it has to be under the right weather conditions. Not too dry, where the match could ligh a wild fire. And not to wet, as the thing is likely to not ignite. In the mean time, the underhammer does a number on rabbits, and isn't particularly bothered by the weather. If it were just a bit larger caliber for something other than bunnies, I probably wouldn't even bother with the other two for hunting.

[Fjold]

I have a left handed .54 Caliber Thompson Center Renegade that I built from a kit in 1985. I took two elk with it during the Idaho black powder season back in the late 80's but I haven't shot it in 15 years or so.

[6mmintl]

Were going up on Friday to shoot this event

April 9 - 11 Sonora Smokepolers Annual Spring Shoot at Camp Six Bits, Chinese Camp CA.

Trailwlk targets, Silouette rifle targets, Pistol trail, tomohawk and knife throwing.

Map available.

Traders $25, day visitors git in for no money. Dry camp so bring yer water!

No dogs on Trader's row, NO EXCEPTIONS

Booshway: Ray (209) 847-4019

Segundo Floyd (408) 377-6383

Central camp fire Saturday night with music, story telling and liars contest.

Bring yer best!

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I'll see if I can find some pictures. Otherwise I will try to go dig it out of the safe soon.

[Dolk]

http://www.thedolk.com/Hawkins/index.html