.50 Hawkins Rifle

[Sibb]

I plan on shooting a .50 cal hawkins rifle my dad gave me. I've done some research on loading it, but I have a question. In all of the loading procedures I've seen a cloth patch is used, my guess is to help create a seal. Do I need a special patch or would a cleaning patch work fine?

Follow up question, I have sabots do I need a patch for them?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JohnFH]

The patch is used for round balls, I use 100% cotton cloth and "Bore Butter" patch lube. The patch creates the gas seal and allows the rifeling to engage the ball with out distorting it. The diameter of your bore and size of the ball will determin your patch thickness, I use a .490 ball with a .010 patch, and yes I get funny looks measuring the fabric scraps at walmart.

The sabot rounds should have thier own holders and no patch is required.

 

[Sibb]

Just learned you can't buy ball or sabot online and have it shipped to Mass, my state sucks. To bad they don't make .490 ball bearings or circular fishing weights, cause that's just fine.

Meus civitas combibo

 

[MisterHappy]

If you belong to a club, ask around and see if you have experienced BP shooters kicking around, and ask for advice.

They can tell you what you need and where to get it.

I've had excellent luck with Callaghan's in Marlborough wrt supplies and advice.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT - Cleaning is different from smokeless powder. The salts in the powder will attack the steel, so "letting it be", especially if it's a hand-me-down with sentimental value is not a good idea.

 

[Roadliner]

Bass and many other shops have balls, patches, powder and other BP needs. Also you can find a T/C owners manual online that explains getting started very well. I bought a T/C Renegade last year and it is a lot of fun. I would suggest starting with patch and ball then go to T/C Maxi-ball. If you ever get to the Attleboro area I can do some shooting with you.

Just my .02

 

[HorizontalHunter]

I plan on shooting a .50 cal hawkins rifle my dad gave me. I've done some research on loading it, but I have a question. In all of the loading procedures I've seen a cloth patch is used, my guess is to help create a seal. Do I need a special patch or would a cleaning patch work fine?

Follow up question, I have sabots do I need a patch for them?

Thanks in advance!

I am assuming that this is a percussion side lock black powder rifle. As was stated above use a 100% cotton patch. Make sure that it is not synthetic if you are making your own patches. I have a 50 caliber black powder rifle that shoots a .490 lead ball with a pre lubed TC patch that is 0.018" thick propelled by 85g of ffg GOEX black powder. This is plenty for deer if that is your goal. Another option is a solid lead maxi ball which my BP rifle also shoots well. What your rifle will shoot well depends on the rate of twist of the rifling in your barrel. My BP rifle has a 1 in 48" twist. Typically rifle barrels with a:1 turn in 66" rifling will do best with round ball,1 turn in 48" round ball, ball-ets, short conical bullet and saboted pistol bullet,1 turn in 28" conical bullet and saboted bullet.

There are many powders available today and I use real black powder (GOEX) as it much lower ignition temp than the substitutes that are available. This would be loose powder not pellets for a Hawkins style BP rifle. Real black powder helps eliminate hang fires or the occasional pop but no boom. If you use 77 reduce your loads by 10% to 15% as it is more powerful than black powder. Black powder charges are measured by volume not weight. Most 50 cal BP rifles shoot ffg powder the best but some shoot fffg powder charges better. Know what the max charge for your rifle is and don't exceed it. If you don't have a manual get one from the manufacturer.


Clean up is simple. Just use soap and hot water. You need to clean the same day as black powder (and the subs) leave corrosive salts in the barrel. Then dry the barrel and I oil the same as any other center fire rifle. Store muzzle down to prevent and excess oil from getting in the flash channel. Before you use the BP rifle swab with a clean patch to remove any oil and pop a few caps to clear the flash channel. Oil and black powder don't mix and can turn into a tar like goop.

See if you can find a BP shooter to help you get started. A good starting load for that rifle would likely be 50g and work your way up in 5g increments until you find a load that the rifle likes. I typically swab between shots if I am working up, or practicing with, a hunting load as your first shot at game is typically on a clean barrel.

Nicks sporting goods in Palmer has real black powder and the other supplies you will need.

Bob

 

[Mathetes]

Meus civitas combibo

Not your typical Latin quote...very funny