Tradition 50Cal Hawkin

sig232

I purchased a Traditins 50 cal Hawkin, left handed precussion back a few years ago. I loved the looks of it and hung it in my study.

Truth be known I have been very timid about firing the rifle because of the stories I have heard about the dangers of black powder. I hope to learn more about this gun in this forum and how learn the basics of operating it safely.

Any help will be appreciated.

Sig232

don cole

there is really nothing to it take it to a gunsmith and get it checked out first then go to well like dixie gun works and get there shooting manual read that get your equpment and go have fun i hunt with the same rifle and have taken 3 deer an elk several bear and several mountian lions with it

sig232

Thanks Don, can you give me some idea as to the effective range for this rifle, for deer. I'm guessing, maybe 100-150 yards?

Sig232
NRA Patron Member

realtree2

I don't know if this post has been checked in a while but I'll lend my 2 cents.

I have a traditions .50 also and it is one of the finer weapons own. I would put that gun up against any other at distances up to and including 200 yards with just my open sights. When I am deer hunting I use a 365 grain Remington bulled with 100 grains of FFg Clean Shot or Elephant powder behind it. At 200yds. it has more than enough velocity and knockdown power to take a whitetail.

bull300wsm

Still don't know if this has been checked but I also have one that I bought for my son. He used it in 4-H competition with great results. He won first at the county shoot and fifth in state with this gun. These are as accurate as any I have seen. I have shot this gun myself( to sight in for my son ) and at 25 yards it will shoot into the same hole all day and at 50 yards there is not much difference. Great gun..... Bull

andersk

If you purchased it new and it's been hanging on your wall for a few years, I say, "It's high time to take her down and shoot it!"

Any gun shop can give [read: sell] you anything and everything you need.

If you did not buy it new and want to have it checked out they have (or can get you in touch with) a gunsmith who can check it out. Go out and have fun. BP is a lot of fun ... though it does take some tinkering.

I'm a lefty, too, and shoot a T/C Omega 50 - a modern inline muzzle loader - no problem for a lefty. I am about to get a Hopkins & Allen Underhammer kit for a more primitive BP gun for a lefty or righty!

Blckhrn

Your traditions is probably rifled about 1:48 twist which makes it a roundball or possibly a maxi ball gun. You'll probably find that sabots and projos made for inlines, with higher twist rates won't group well. Round balls are lighter, a .50 round ball is around 150 grains, a .50 maxiball I'm thinking around 250. Either of these should go out 150 yards or so. You will probably find that a patched round ball will be the most accurate.

The Brits, at the battle of Saratoga, were a little miffed that their Colonel (I think) got picked off at about 300 yards by a colonial sniper. People aren't as tough as deer but it goes to show the range of a small cal round ball and the accuracy of a similar gun which was made entirely by hand, lock, stock and barrel.