Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Ok, let’s see your custom "Hawken"

This is my 54 Hawken.


The day I picked it up at rendezvous last spring.


Pics taken that same day.





This rifle was inspired by the Kit Carson rifle now in Santa Fe, NM. Carson wasn't a large man and his Hawken was on the smaller side of the late Hawken rifles.

This one weights in a bit over 7 pounds. The barrel is a Rice, 54 caliber, one inch at the breach tapering to 7/8 inch at the muzzle, 32 inches long. Davis lock and triggers. I am unsure the origin of the breach plug and other furniture, my builder already had them in possession for a long time. But I especially like the design of the patent breach bolster. The balance is near perfect for off-hand shooting. It's also lighter than my Great Plains or my CVA mountain rifle.

It shoots bug-hole groups with a 530 ball, pocket drill patches, and 70 grains of 3-f Goex. I have won some rendezvous shoots with that load. I am working on a load for elk season now. Really looking forward to making meat with it soon.