Author Topic: Cap lock inheritance (Read 615 times)

unclecheech · « **on:** November 29, 2005, 07:56:19 PM »

My brother in law built a beauty of a Hawken replica, octagon barrel, blond finish on the wood. Real nice to look at. He shot it a few times before I knew him. He has since fallen to a life of crime and is no longer able to own a gun. I have been the recipient of this beauty and would like to at least use it at the range. What is the lowest charge to start at to begin finding what it should use? It is a .50 cal. I do know that he didn't like smokelss powder for some reason. Also How hard to tap the projectile down ontop of the powder? I have never used a ML but would love to try, just need a good kick in the right direction. Thanks.

dodd3 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2005, 10:04:47 PM »

please do not use smokeless powder in it you will severely injure yourself use only black powder.do not hesitate to ask questions on this site you will get a lot of good advice. use a 490 round ball with a .015 patch and 50 grains of black powder make sure you seat the patch ball firmly on the powder, a better option is to go to a muzzle loading club in your area and look and learn and ask lots of questions.
bernie

fffffg · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2005, 10:21:29 PM »

are muzzeloaders restricted fire arms?,, see post on this matter.. your friend/relative may not be barred from using this gun.. dave..

Birddog6 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2005, 02:12:38 AM »

[quote I have been the recipient of this beauty and would like to at least use it at the range. [/quote]

I suggest you go buy the Lyman BlackPowder Handbood & do a few evenings reading & it will tell you the safe ways to load, clean, handle the firearm. This would be much better than guys suggesting do this & that & etc. when you have not been exposed to one at all & could keep you from damaging the firearm or yourself, because someone forgot to tell you something or you just didn't know ....... IMHO this would be the best starting point for ya.

:grin:

spitpatch · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2005, 03:14:20 AM »

Unclecheech........I will second the advice given you. First, buy the book and research what your doing from the people who make these guns, and as dodd3 advised.....find people who shoot these guns (there everywhere) who can help a lot and are usually very excited to do so. NEVER EVER use smokeless powder in these guns! Nitrocellulose (smokeless) type powders will blow this gun up in your face due to the pressures they create. I would also have this gun examined by a knowledgeable person (on black powders) before shooting to make sure it's in safe working condition. Best of luck!

slayer · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2005, 01:31:34 PM »

.490 ball-.15 patch-50 gr. FFG Great starting point and very comfortable to shoot!! I have even read people shooting Deer with this charge, although 50 gr. seams a little light for deer, but under 50 yards through the boiler room, I imagine it would work. For hunting, I use said setup, except I use 70-90 gr. for deer. Good luck-Jack.

slayer · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2005, 01:33:22 PM »

.490 ball-.15 patch-50 gr. FFG Great starting point and very comfortable to shoot!! I have even read people shooting Deer with this charge, although 50 gr. seams a little light for deer, but under 50 yards through the boiler room, I imagine it would work. For hunting, I use said setup, except I use 70-90 gr. for deer. Good luck-Jack.

unclecheech · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2005, 01:47:49 PM »

Thanks for the advice all. I am going to order Fadala's(?) book on muzzleloading. It will take more than a few nights as over 400 pages. Plus 3 kids and a job. I called BIL last night and the gun is sound, needs a good cleaning down the tube, and I'll have the local smithy look at her. He is not allowed to own any firearm in Michigan as repeat offender, besides I am raising his son who will get this and the story from me when he is old enuff. Very complicated life. Any who, this may be the year to spend some time at the range with my 12ga. and the front loader and become extremely proficient before taking to the woods. Good night and good luck.

SuperstitionCoues · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2005, 12:49:26 AM »

Quote from: unclecheech

Thanks for the advice all. I am going to order Fadala's(?) book on muzzleloading. It will take more than a few nights as over 400 pages. Plus 3 kids and a job. I called BIL last night and the gun is sound, needs a good cleaning down the tube, and I'll have the local smithy look at her. He is not allowed to own any firearm in Michigan as repeat offender, besides I am raising his son who will get this and the story from me when he is old enuff. Very complicated life. Any who, this may be the year to spend some time at the range with my 12ga. and the front loader and become extremely proficient before taking to the woods. Good night and good luck.

You should be commended for taking on these responsibilities. Learning how to use the firearm to pass on to his son speaks volumes.

Fadala's book is a great place to start. The manufacturer should be stamped on the barrel - contact them for specifics about the gun and loads. To clean it, I would use Butch's Black Powder Bore Shine and then coat the inside of the bore with T/C Bore Butter. At least that is what works for me.

The others are right though. DO NOT shoot smokeless powder in this firearm. Stick to genuine Black Powder (i.e. Goex FFg) or Pyrodex RS. Hodgdon makes a powder called 777, but the conversion in weights for the amount of BP to 777 is tricky and can lead to an excessive charge. Keep to the BP and keep the load light until you know how it shoots. I like to use a .490 ball, either a .010 or .015 patch (depending on how hot it is in Az.) and anywhere from 70 to 100 gr. (typically 90 gr.) of BP in my Lyman 50 cal GPR.

Good luck in everything. A man raising another man's son has my respect.

jgalar · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2005, 01:25:31 AM »

I have a few books written by Sam Fadala, they all make good reading. Getting thru 400 pages will not be a chore at all. After reading you won't have any trouble shooting and maintaining.
There are new powders available since any of Fadala's books were written. Pinacle and American Pioneer powders, if available near you, might make good powders to start with.

captchee · « **Reply #10 on:** December 01, 2005, 04:04:02 AM »

may i also suggest that you may find these sources as well as greybeards here handy, in you information search .
i hope im not steping on anyones toes here by doing this but

here is a couple of links that can lead to a whole new world of knowledge and study .

Traditional muzzleloading Ass.:

We are dedicated to strictly traditional muzzle loading weapons in all shapes and forms . thatÂ’s what we are about at the TMA. look us up , we have monthly mail in shoots , a public forum as well as a members area . both that cover all aspects from clothing , peoples , gun information and just thoughts on the study of history as a whole . All are welcome , period folks , weekend shooters, hunters and just folks that are into the traditional styled weapons

http://www.traditionalmuzzleloadingassociation.org/index.html

National muzzleloading rifle Ass:

covers the complete spectrum from cowboy action ,long range shooting ,civil war and modern inline weapons

http://www.nmlra.org/

check things out , ask questions and as the others here have said find folks that are also shooting in your area who can lead you through and get you started. you will make new friends this way as well as i have found through the years there are no nicer of folks then can be found in this community .
Be safe and have a good day