St. Louis Hawken Kit .50 cal percussion

Status
Not open for further replies.

James1

Member
Joined
May 15, 2007
Messages
10
Hello I picked up one of these kits tonight and get home and no manual or anything well I found just about everything i need from looking at the website I just have one remaining question. What size percussion caps do I need #10 or #11. I guess I should also make sure what I got is right .490 round ball .15 patches 2f powder max 110 grains?
 
I think with most BP guns you have to experiment to find the right combo. Sometimes #10 caps work better, and sometimes #11 work better. It isn't too expensive to figure out on the caps. They are pretty cheap. As far as the ball/patch combo goes, you will have to experiment with those too, to find the optimal combination. That is part of the fun of black powder shooting. Now, if you just want enough accuracy to take down a deer at 50 yards, it may not matter as much to you. Keep in mind I don't own any BP rifles, just a cap-n-ball revolver, but I do want one or actually several. Pretty much I'm just blowing air out my butt by repeating stuff I've gathered frome reading here.
 
DixieTexian is pretty much on the mark.

Actually, I hope you got 0.015 patches - 0.15 is just a little too thick.

Start with No. 11 caps. If they are loose, use No. 10's. It's not always obvious that a No. 10 is too small, so it's better to start with the bigger ones. Also, although this is a fine point, the No. 10 and No. 11 size is not necessarily rigidly controlled between manufacturers and between nipple makers; you might also find that changing brands of cap will provide a better fit. The idea is to get one that is not loose enough to fall off but still large enough to go all the way down on the nipple so the ignition material is against the top of the nipple. That last part is not so easy to discern.

As for ball, patch and powder, you got the right stuff to start (assuming the patch dimension is a typo). The patch should be a lubed patch, or moistened with Bore Butter, spit, etc. Lube is important to help keep the bore clean longer. Swab the barrel between shots with water or bp solvent; whether it's between every shot or every other shot or every fifth shot or whatever will need to be worked out. Use 90 gr 2f at first until you get used to shooting the gun - it'll pay off in accuracy later as you are less likely to develop any bad habits.

And try to keep the grin under control.
 
I'd use #11 caps, try CCI Magnum caps.

Start by shooting roudball patched with pillow ticking, and lube the patches with Wonderlube 1000 Plus+.

Also do not see any reason to shoot charges higher than 75gr of FFg, yes you can shoot higher charges, but will not gain that much when shooting RB.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top