Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders needed: load for 50 cal. 350 gr.Thompson bullet

I have a black powder Hawkens carbine I purchased several years ago. I have tryed several loads from 60 on up to 90 grains of ffg with lead round balls, and cant find an accurate load. As a matter of fact my groups are terrible even at 30 yards. I bought some 350 gr. Thompson maxi- hunter bullets to see if they shoot any better. Can someone recommend a load for me using either Goex FFg or Hodgon pyrodex RS ? Thanks

what twist? round balls need slow (1-56 or slower), conicals need fast.(1-32 or faster) 1-48 is a compromise. try 90grains 2f

Thanks for the info Stubert. Black powder shooting is something I dont have much experience in. I didnt even think about twist -rate. My Hawkens carbine has a 21" barrel and a one turn in 24"! That might explain why the thing has never shown accuracy with round balls!

then you are shooting the rb's too fast!

back down to about 30-40 gr ffg and the RB's and patch them TIGHT!

with the 350's I'd start with about 40 gr ffg and work up to see what you get.

Thanks for the info blammer. I took the Hawkens carbine out the other day and and shot a 3 sot group of about 2 inches, with the 350 grain Thompson bullet over 77 grains of ffg. I am real happy with that! Was wondering what kind of velocity?energy this load has.

I am sure tons!

I shot a 333 gr cast Maxi Hunter out of my Lyman Flinter with 80 gr ffg 24 inch brl I think....

I shot a buck about 40-50 yards away head on. It penetrated about 36 inches! Found bullet in rear ham, He was a big un.

kenster99,

Is that carbine of yours the Cabelas model .50?

yes bearstalker, I purchased that carbine about 15 years ago from Cabelas, its made in Italy. 21 " barrel, set triggers, seems like a quality gun, and now I found a load it likes!