Ot- 50 cal muzzle loader @50 yards

[papabear]

I went to the range on Saturday with my gun-club . Took my 50 cal. Hawkins muzzle-loader shooting at 50 yards with open sites.first time I shot it in about 4 years.

[J Miller]

First time in 4 years, not too bad. You getting ready for dear season?

Joe

[JReed]

Looks like you need some load development. Are you using round balls?

[papabear]

First time in 4 years, not too bad. You getting ready for dear season?

Joe

Yes I'm thinking of using it this year for a hunt I'm thinking of going for black bear in new york and white tail

Looks like you need some load development. Are you using round balls?

Yes shooting round ball I need to get my self use to shooting the gun again before i start making adjustments to sights

[86er]

Good to see you back on the forum Bill. That'll do for whitetail at 50 yds the way you hunt but I think you can do better if you tweak the load and take your time.

[JReed]

Looks like you need some load development. Are you using round balls?

Yes shooting round ball I need to get my self use to shooting the gun again before i start making adjustments to sights[/quote]

I hear ya on having to relearn the gun. I have to do the same thing when I haven't shot a particular gun in awhile. Are you using old lubed patches or new ones? The lube can break down over time causing your groups to open up.

[tman]

if it is T/C , try their maxi-balls and 80 grains of powder. it works well for me, anyway.

[papabear]

[/quote]I hear ya on having to relearn the gun. I have to do the same thing when I haven't shot a particular gun in awhile. Are you using old lubed patches or new ones? The lube can break down over time causing your groups to open up.[/quote]

I going to get some new round balls and parches and see how it shoot thanks every one for the help
Bill

[deerwhacker444]

I'd suggest trying a thicker patch on those roundballs,..see if the groups tighten up. Something like artist canvas works well if you put a little lube on the patch.

[Hankster]

What's the rate of twist on the barrel??

[mklwhite]

if it is T/C , try their maxi-balls and 80 grains of powder. it works well for me, anyway.

My son's TC loves them and that load. It amazed me at the difference between that and round ball from his gun. Plus I know it is the same caliber, but it knocks a far more impressive hole out of plywood. More like a wad cutter from what I've seen.

[Ysabel Kid]

That's a great start! Minute-of-whitetail right off the bat after 4 years!

[O.S.O.K.]

Its great that you are back at it! And yes, that would bag you a white-tail as-is.

Have fun tuning her in!

[Nath]

Thats a good start to your return with that gun.

I would like to know the twist, them balls may be over spun!

Good luck.

Nath.

[papabear]

I have the gun for 23 years and I don't remember the twist I know when i was shooting it i was hitting the center 7 out of 9 shots I'M hoping to get close to that again so it's practice practice practice wich to me is fun fun fun

[Hankster]

Well what is it then?? A Thompson Center, Lyman, What?? Reason I asked about twist, is in a gun like a TC... it had a 1/48 twist.... you load a patched ball too "hot"... it'll "skip over" the rifling instead of engaging and spinning, and your accuracy will SUCK big time. My 50 has a 1/66 twist... designed for RB shooting, not so good with Minie/maxi balls.... Last time out, it did 25Cent sized groups at 50 yds with 75 grs 2F Goex Black Powder, now I used a "firesight" front, and a regular sight on the back. I Can't do that with the German Silver blade sight it came with on the front!! So knowing twist etc is REAL important to getting it shooting it's "straightest".... If it's a "fast" twist TC or the like, try backing the charge down to see if it tightens up, etc. Also, your patching materials can have a BIG influence on how well it groups!! Too thin, it tears and burns out BEFORE the ball leaves the barrels... and you get a crappy grouping... I'm New to some of these lever guns, NOT to the old frontstuffers!! LOL!

[papabear]

It's a TC Hawkins I'M loading it with 90 grains of FFFg the patch is pre-moisten shooting round ball when i was using it i was doing good hitting center 7 out of 9 times I just got to get back in to shooting it.

[Hankster]

You have a 1 in 48 twist barrel then. the TC's were set up for their Maxi-balls , they will shoot RB's. but watch the powder charge... as stated earlier... too much juice will degrade your accuracy.... but they are good guns! Have Fun!
Can't tell in the Photo, you have set triggers on that????

[Nath]

Does sound like a conical barrel Papabear. Not to worry though it will still get the job done, may be worth a try with 70grns, still strong enough.

Nath.

[papabear]

You have a 1 in 48 twist barrel then. the TC's were set up for their Maxi-balls , they will shoot RB's. but watch the powder charge... as stated earlier... too much juice will degrade your accuracy.... but they are good guns! Have Fun!
Can't tell in the Photo, you have set triggers on that????

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Does sound like a conical barrel Papabear. Not to worry though it will still get the job done, may be worth a try with 70grns, still strong enough.Nath.

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thanks for the help guys I bin useing 90 granes I want it not only or white tail but i'm hoping to go for black bear with it too

[Hankster]

Bear?? MAXIBALL!!!! Will get you into the "realm" of 45-70 knockdown power...... be safe!