How much power on a Hawkin .50

[Eat Dirt]

Got a newbe question on a Armisport .50 cal Hawken I'am getting

How much power to load this ???

and what type can be used / I have a can of FF

I had a .44 navy colt and to measure power I used a . 44 Spl. brass
Can something like that be used for the ,50 Hawkin
Any advice on what projectiles to use

Thanks Guys

[jpscoot_21]

44 spl holds 34gr of FFg..
Here's a link: kwk.us/cases.html to a bunch of case/volumes.

My .50 TC hawken will load up to 110 grains' but I would start at 35 for target shooting.

[knucklehead0202]

jeremiah Johnson.

[nrakid88]

This article will probably raise more questions than it answers... but it raises a good point that black powder suppliers/manufacturers over dumb down the information they provide.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/muzzleloading_pressure.htm

Chuck Hawks has some other good info too.

[Eat Dirt]

44 spl holds 34gr of FFg..
Here's a link: kwk.us/cases.html to a bunch of case/volumes.

My .50 TC hawken will load up to 110 grains' but I would start at 35 for target shooting.

Great Info./ I'll hang on to that
Thanks

[6mmintl]

Typically 45-55 grains with patched round ball.

Do not use original wood cleaning rod as it may crack/splinter if you have had loading (and you will).

Get your self a "Range rod" or make one out of 3/8" aluminum rod, drill and tap 8-32 or 10-32 on one end and get jag to fit thread.

Put a handle or wood ball on other end.

Mix up some ethylene glycol (antifreeze) about 40% to water 60% and moisten 30 patches in a small plastic bag, wipe out bore fouling every 3rd/4th shot for easy loading and better accuracy.

[Old Scribe]

I shoot 65 grains ff in a 50 caliber percussion and 65 grains fff in my 50 cal flinter for paper punching. I load up 90 grains 3f forhunting with the flintlock. Get yourself a brass powder measurer and find out what your particular rifle "likes". They're not that expensive and you can play around with different loads.

[superchargeron]

Hey there!
Hickok45 on you tube has a video on that gun... just for grins he dumps 100 grains at one point.. pretty incredible!
Go check it out!
Thanks again for helping me out with the Husky!

[Springfield45]

Anything over 80 grains of FF powder will still be burning after the ball leaves the barrel.

[ironhorse1]

with a 180 grain patched round ball my normal load is 70 grains.

I have shot up to 100 grains, but ,at that point, if your not hunting your wasting powder.

Both FF and FFF work well if you can find any, I only use real black powder.

I found Pyrodex to be unsatisfactory as a substitute.

Avoid nipples that have extra holes in the sides.

Using those nipples was the only time I ever had a hang fire and a misfire as well.

I like to generously prelube my patches and place them in a small jar.

This makes loading easier and allows more shots before cleaning.

Have fun.

irh

[CSACANNONEER]

Hey there!
Hickok45 on you tube has a video on that gun... just for grins he dumps 100 grains at one point.. pretty incredible!
Go check it out!
Thanks again for helping me out with the Husky!

What's incredible about a hunting charge in a hunting rifle? Also, why check out some dude who hasn't been shooting BP long? Instead, the OP is asking for advise from real world with BP experience.

I've been shooting BP since I built my first charcoal burner in '87. I would have no problem loading the OP's rifle with anywhere from 50-110 grains of FFg or 50-100 grains of FFFg. Personally, I'd probably stay within the 60-90 grain range. But, I've only been shooting frontloaders (from .17 cal to 3" field artilary) for a few years and would rather have fun shooting than making youtube videos. Instead of filming everything, I'd rather spend my time casting my own roundballs and making my own black powder.

[Manolito]

I just completed a kit gun in .50 and have found it a load of fun. I use a .490 lead round ball with a .010 lubricated patch and 75 grains of FFF real black powder.

Just a note cleaning is imperative the black powder is corrosive. I remove the barrel then the nipple. place the barrel in a bucket of hot water and a small amount of soap. Using a 12 guage cleaning rod an patches I run them up and down the barrel sucking the water into the barrel and then forcing it out. Black powder is amazing fun but a little dirty so make sure you clean it well. Lubricate lightly after you have completed the cleaning. When you are ready to shoot again fire a couple of caps only then load an have more fun.

Just how I do it and may not be the right way or a way you prefer.

Respectfully,
Bill