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Post by ski on Feb 7, 2010 12:45:45 GMT -5
Hello,
I've been away from ML'rs for awhile and have now bought my first .54 cal, a Pedersoli Rocky Mtn Hawken. I would like to hear of your favorite loads meant for a traditional ML.
thanks,
Cary
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Post by stevein on Feb 7, 2010 14:14:25 GMT -5
For hunting 120 grs 2f Goex, .018 Pillow tick lubed with Wonder-lube, plain felt wad between powder & ball .530 RB. This in a .54 1-72 Montana barrel, flint or percussion. For target 50 to 90 grs 2f and a .535 RB. Light all cotton denim works very good too. You will have to back off if it has a fast twist or shallow rifling.
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Post by ski on Feb 8, 2010 7:52:23 GMT -5
thanks Steve,
I've been reading up a lot since yesterday and am leaning towards round ball and 2f BP as you are using. Gun has a slow twist.
Cary
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Post by throbak on Feb 8, 2010 8:57:44 GMT -5
I used 80 gr. 3f with a maxi-ball in my TC hawkin NEVER failed reasonably accurate up to 50 yds. performance comparable to lite-field slugs
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Post by oldhoyt on Feb 16, 2010 16:45:32 GMT -5
I shoot 100 gr of pyrodex and 435 gr maxiballs in my 54 cal T/C Renegade. It has a 1/48 twist. Roundballs may be the way to go if your twist is slower than that, but conicals are worth a try. You might find they shoot well enough, and you don't need a patch which does simplify things a little. Nothing wrong with roundballs though, a 54 cal roundball puts the hurt on deer.
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Post by ski on Feb 18, 2010 7:45:32 GMT -5
thanks for the replies,
I have a week off work next week and should get some shooting in. I have some .530 Hornady RB and different size patches to try. I have some Pyrodex RS for now, but also made a large order with TOTW (the link provided by 'stevein' in my other .54 cal jag size post) and will soon own 25lbs of assorted Goex BP. Probably won't deer hunt, but if I go I will try Maxiballs beforehand.
On another note, I also ordered a kit from TOTW for a flintlock build. I get bitten pretty hard when I do things...
Cary
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Post by stevein on Feb 18, 2010 9:45:11 GMT -5
Which kit did you go for? I have been thinking of the Issac Haines or a Leman in .54 for my son. Here is one of my .54's.
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Post by ski on Mar 1, 2010 6:41:26 GMT -5
hey Steve,
I ordered a Golden Age rifle kit. I plan on building a .36 cal squirrel rifle. Maybe a .62 Jaeger too, both flintlocks. TOTW has great service and orders arrive pronto! I was recently looking at photos of an original Issac Haines and they are something to behold.
I finally got to take the RM Hawken out to J.P. a couple of times to shoot. I am still getting my kit and 'system' together but it is fun to make some smoke and smell rotten eggs again. So far, leaning towards .535 RB and .010 patch with a paper-killing load. Trying both FFg and FFFg. Oh, I am now blind compared to the last time I shot a front loader, and it makes shooting tough with open sights!
I enjoy talking about traditional muzzleloading, so PM me if I forget to check in on this post.
Cary
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Post by steve46511 on Oct 26, 2010 8:26:25 GMT -5
Still shooting OLD 540 grain Maxi Hunters on top of 90 grains of Goex FFg. Probably never run out of them, no more than I shoot BP but Ive lots of hand cast 430 grain Maxi type casts here too.
Still shooting my 54 cal Renegade from 1983. Still amazed at how well it shoots with a LOT of the rifling gone, lol.
The combo isnt a fast round but Ive never seen a reason to change even though Ive tried others. Go with what you believe in.
I shot a few deer with Barnes ML all brass bullets 50 cal in 54 sabot, 325 grain. More accurate for me but lordy momma, what a mess they make on anything but broadside ribcage hits and in my old barrel, even very worn, I have to POUND them down the barrel in the woods after one shot. Literally. They do, however, open radically *for me* and having one run off on a lung shot hasnt happened. I used 90 gr of FFg on them too.
Do need to take the beast to the range soon though and run her through the paces.
God Bless
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