T
tuco
Guest
Well I bought the percussion T/C Hawken .54 this weekend for my first muzzleloader. I took it to the range and followed the muzzleloader101 advice. I was pleasently surprised to see that I could get 2 inch groups @ 50yds from this gun with 80 gr of Clearshot and a round ball with prelubed patches. I bought the .54 over the .50 because the 1:48 twist is supposed to shoot shorter bullets better than longer which require a faster twist. With short bullets in .54 I can still shoot 348 gr. bullets which are shorter than .50 348 gr bullets. Right now I am sticking to roundballs that I plan on using for Spring Turkey here in Texas.
A few questions I have after trip are as follows:
1. I was getting some noticeable hangfires (seemed like about .25 seconds). One time the cap went off and it didn't fire until I had picked my head up from the sights. I was told by the guy who sold me the gun to get Musket caps. Would yall recommend musket caps over no. 11's?
2. I had one misfire towards the end of the session (after about 10 shots). When I got home I took the nipple off and notice a lot of crud in the channel so I thought this might have been the cause. What is the best way to clean the area below the nipple?
3. Cleaning. The guy who sold me the gun said to put hot water and a teaspoon of ammonia in a bucket and pump it from the breech upward with a swab. He said soap was not good. Is this true? How often should I do this?
4. I don't know if the prelubed patches i am using are petroleum based or not. Should I get some pillow ticking and lube with bore butter for round balls? The Maxihunters or blackbelts I am going to use for mule deer and elk do not require a patch, right?
A few questions I have after trip are as follows:
1. I was getting some noticeable hangfires (seemed like about .25 seconds). One time the cap went off and it didn't fire until I had picked my head up from the sights. I was told by the guy who sold me the gun to get Musket caps. Would yall recommend musket caps over no. 11's?
2. I had one misfire towards the end of the session (after about 10 shots). When I got home I took the nipple off and notice a lot of crud in the channel so I thought this might have been the cause. What is the best way to clean the area below the nipple?
3. Cleaning. The guy who sold me the gun said to put hot water and a teaspoon of ammonia in a bucket and pump it from the breech upward with a swab. He said soap was not good. Is this true? How often should I do this?
4. I don't know if the prelubed patches i am using are petroleum based or not. Should I get some pillow ticking and lube with bore butter for round balls? The Maxihunters or blackbelts I am going to use for mule deer and elk do not require a patch, right?