Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Powder for 50 hawken

Can anyone tell me which black powder sub. works best in a 50 cal hawken,t/c ? Would like to keep cleaning down. Thanks Oz

Lot of guys brag on the 209 or Jim Shockey's Gold.I use 777 or regular BP. I don't see cleaning as being a big deal where hunting is concerned. Different if competition is in the equation.

pyrodex works good also if you don't want to use real ffg.

Anything will work except BH 209.

Real BP will give the most reliable ignition, but it also has the most fouling.

I was using American Pioneer 3F, but have now changed to Triple 7 3F . 3F is much better than 2f in the Side Lock. Use CCI # 11 Magnum Caps for best results

agree above. just saw where i didn't hit that extra f on the keyboard.

I agree that while all the substitutes work, there's really nothing wrong with using good old black powder. After all, you're going to clean it anyway, even if you use a substitute, aren't you? My .50 Hawken (an old pre-Ithaca Cherry Corners) just loves 50 gr. FFFg and a patched .495 RB. I call it my '50/50 rifle'- a mild load for sure but it flat out knocks deer down. My .45 half-stock dotes on 60gr. FFFg and a PRB. It's a deer killing machine too. Cleanup after firing only one or two shots is quick and simple.

Damn, I learn something new every day here, didnt know anything BUT Black Powder would ignite in a percussion or flinter.

FFFG Swiss and Top Hat musket caps have been instant ignition for me for decades in 50, 54, and 58 cal. LOL

Gunner

Subs don't do well in a flinter.

Good, cause that would be sacrelidge to me.

Gunner

I have used FFG BP, Pydodex and 777 with standard #11 Precussion caps with a 1970 vintage TC Hawkin and Std Winchester 209 primers in an TC inline. I can't ever remember having an ignition problem with any.

I have had Pyrodex degrade over a years time from season to season.777 isn't as bad,but it does.I keep it in the original container, then in a zip lock and then in a sealed ammo can.That helps. Never had to do that with BP.

When out shooting at paper, I wet swab after every shot and clean after every five. Out hunting,if it gets fired, I wet swab before I fire it again and then clean that evening after the hunt. I do this with what ever powder I use.
I never put a muzzle loader away with powder in it like some here

BP has a lower ignition temp, and will be more reliable for those who don't keep things clear and squeaky clean.

A flintlock will show this, as subs won't fire a lot of the time.

I sure do love BP, in ML'ers and my old Sharps rifle, nothing BOOOOMMS like Holy Black.

Gunner

You betcha!

pryodex rs select rifle grade works for me

find out what works for you

cleaning your rifle is the most important thing to do after you are done shooting

Thanks , I haven't shot my hawken for years that there might be something new to learn! I don't shot round ball ,just minnies or verieant's of them ! Years ago Dad shot thur two mulie does with a buffalo bullet; I think he use pryodex ! thanks again Ozzie

I never saw a reason to use anything but real black powder in my Hawken.

I read that guys talk about "going to clean it anyway". While I agree, after a range session you will always clean it.

As a hunting gun, however, this is not always the case (for some).

HUnting all day in wet weather, shooting early, reloading, and hunting the rest of the day, not unloading at end of day (week... etc) and leaving loads in.

Lots of different habits and opinions on these, and IMO should be considered. I used to use pyrodex in the hawkin, and had a lot of issues whenever powder was left in.

I switched to 777 and have fewer worries in terms of absorbing ambient moisture.

I hear 209 is better. I have no experience there. Your habits and the weather are worth considering imo.

100 gr of fff with a maxxie ball in my old hawkens love it tac driveing rifle how can you beat it

i shoot 90 gr under a 385 gr hornady great plains bullet. never had a problem with it.