.54 Cal Hawken???

camokid · Aug 2, 2012

I have a Cabela's .54 cal traditions 1in48" twist. I've been trying to do my homework to find a good Bullet, powder combo. As for Bullets I've heard the Hornady Great Plains, I've only found them in a 425 grain bullet. Is that too heavy for that kind of a twist in that hawken? What is good vs. bad? any advice will help. Thanks fella's. Using it on deer, fyi.

3blade · Aug 2, 2012

maybe you can get the hornady to shoot but the recoil is not going to be very fun. I'd use a patched round ball myself. That would be good to 125 to maybe 150 yards if you can see well enough to shoot that far. That big ball packs a serious punch and will kill any deer pronto.

FrontierGander · Aug 2, 2012

70-80gr 2f would be a real good starting point.

www.FrontierMuzzleloading.com

camokid · Aug 2, 2012

Thanks 3blade. I'll check into that. I just heard those Hornady 425 grains are too big. But some guys say they are good.

camokid · Aug 2, 2012

Thanks Fronteirgander, you agree with the round ball as well? For deer?

FrontierGander · Aug 2, 2012

oh shoot if you are just shooting deer that 54cal ball with 70-100gr 2f would be perfect. I'd suggest the tighter .018 patches and a .530 round ball. I had a few great plains rifles and they all loved that combo.

www.FrontierMuzzleloading.com

3blade · Aug 3, 2012

>Thanks 3blade. I'll check into that.
>I just heard those Hornady
>425 grains are too big.
>But some guys say they
>are good.

I tried 425gr maxi balls once off a bench, the recoil made me change my mind real quick, lol. I think I'd honestly hunt elk with a 54 ball, thats a big hole and they mushroom out to about 3/4". Put that thru the lungs and that baby is going down.

I have a Lyman 54 and so far it likes 535 balls with an .018 pillow tick patch, the land depth is .558, not sure what a TC barrel is. Both Pyrodex RS and pistol group well. I'm going to try a 530 ball and .023 cotton duck patches tonight, weather permitting.

sjhgraysage · Aug 3, 2012

In my .54 TC Hawken a .535 ball and a .018 pillow tick patch was really tight. I had to fight them down the bore. So I tried the .530 ball with .018 patch and it loaded a lot easier, still tight and seems to shoot pretty good but I need to test that some more with different powders/charges.
I did pick up some .015 and .010 patches to to try with the .535 round balls next time.
I have not been able to get mine to shoot maxiballs very well yet so I'm still looking. I have some Hornady great plains 425 grain bullets but haven't tried them yet.

two7D · Aug 3, 2012

My uncle killed many deer with a roundball out of his .54. His longest shot may have been 115-125 yds. He used 100 gr of pyrodex. The heavier conicles will retain more velocity and energy but your shoulder will take a beating. Good luck.

camokid · Aug 3, 2012

Thanks for all of the replies, this helps a ton! I'm just trying to get all the info i can before I go shoot. I guess most is just trial and error, and see what the gun likes to shoot. So thanks ya'all. Hopefully you all get a chance to go shoootin' too.

camokid · Jun 9, 2013

Now how about some loads or info on what you guys us for elk?
Any info will help. I used 80 grains of pyrodex with a Hornady .530" ball and patch for deer. How about for elk? What would you guys suggest or have used successfully? Thanks!

camokid · Aug 26, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Aug-26-14 AT 07:57PM (MST)[p]I'm wanting to go old school with the Hawken for elk.
Wondering what round ball size and patch to try.

sjhgraysage · Aug 27, 2014

I would start with .530 size lead round ball and .018 thick pillow ticking patch material.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/163/2

The dry ones!, or if you don't want to try different lubes, get the ones lubed with wonderlube.

If this combo is very easy to push down the bore, (to easy is too loose) then try the .535 size round ball, or a thicker patch. You want it tight in the bore but not so tight you have to use a mallet to get it pushed down to the powder charge.

camokid · Aug 27, 2014

I currently shoot the .530 Hornady round ball with the .018 lubed patch. My Hawken loves it. I've used this for deer with 80 grains of 2f loose powder. Should I go with more powder charge, bigger round ball, or stay where I'm at?

sjhgraysage · Aug 28, 2014

You can use more powder for elk, but it only makes sense if it continues to deliver good accuracy. 5 or 10 grain increases at a time and check each load with several shot groups.

camokid · Sep 9, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Sep-09-14 AT 04:46PM (MST)[p]thanks

camokid · Sep 9, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Sep-09-14 AT 04:58PM (MST)[p]Last Years 2013 Smoke Pole Success. Can't wait for the next couple weeks to get out and try it again. Thank you guys for all your info! Old School.