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3/23/2012 9:05:39 AM EDT
I have a .54 cal. TC half stock Hawken that I used extensively 1995-2001 in informal competition and deer hunting while I was stationed at St. Louis.  My house was about 5 miles from Daniel Boone’s last house and possible grave.  It was quite a thrill killing a deer along the Femme Osage Creek (where Dan’l would have hunted) in an outfit that would not have caused him to bat an eye.  However after that, I was stationed in Germany for five years and since returning to CONUS I have had limited hunting for health reasons, till now.  Bottom line, I have not fired it since 2001.

I can’t remember or find any of my records of what powder charge I used.  I’m looking for suggestions for a starting level.  I use GOEX powder with a patched round ball.

Can anyone help this pilgrim?
3/23/2012 9:08:27 AM EDT
[#1]
75 grain will give very light load.  Work from there.
3/28/2012 8:06:59 PM EDT
[#2]
I run a .020 patch, .530 ball, and 110 grains of Goex FFFg for hunting, a fairly stout load.  Plinking around I generally use a bit thinner patching and go with 60 grains FFFg, shoots to pretty much the same point of aim at 50 yards, I have successfully barked squirrels with this load, works well.
3/30/2012 8:49:22 AM EDT
[#3]
I shoot 3f 100grns,patched ball. Very good groups and will drop a buck right down.
4/3/2012 8:18:23 AM EDT
[#4]
I use 100 grain Pyrodex, 295gr Powerbelt HP.
For the record, my Hawken will outshoot my modern inline all day long....
4/5/2012 6:46:53 AM EDT
[#5]
Thanks everyone.  I'll take mine out htis weekend and start with 100grains.
4/5/2012 8:05:54 AM EDT
[#6]
Whatever you do KEEP IT CLEAN.
4/6/2012 7:43:02 AM EDT
[#7]
I'm not sure I'd START with 100 grains.  When I found my gun's sweet spot, I started looking around 80 grains, and worked up from there.  Starting at 100 doesn't give you much room to go up.
4/7/2012 4:47:43 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
I'm not sure I'd START with 100 grains.  When I found my gun's sweet spot, I started looking around 80 grains, and worked up from there.  Starting at 100 doesn't give you much room to go up.


Correct answer above, also as you develop a load look at the crown of the barrel and just inside about 1/4" when you see small RED droplets you have achieved what is considered a perfect burn and pressure curve with you powder, ball, patch combination, you should see the results downrange as well.
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