Sighting in a T/C Hawken

noelf2 · October 26, 2011, 10:56 AM

I had to replace some parts on the rear sight of my 50 cal Hawken (1/66 twist), so I took it to my friends range to sight it in and thought I'd try the lubed "Buffalo Ball-ets" conicals I bought a year or twenty ago (.50 cal, 245gr). Didn't like 'em. They were kinda loose going down the bore. They shot ok at 25 yds but opened way up at 50 yards (using 90gr Pyrodex RS). Shot about 15 of them all together. Went back to my standard of 78gr pyro and a patched round ball and it sighted in perfect. Did I do something wrong with the ball-ets? I put them right on the powder, no patch or wad between.

Pahoo · October 26, 2011, 11:21 AM

The obvious answer is that your twist is not fast enough to handle a conical. twist rates and projectiles are something that one has to work out. My M/L's range fron 1:66 to 1:24. I hsave shot quite a few variety of conicals and Sabots with BoatTail projectiles as well as the good old PRB. Your twist is more applicable to the PRB. Good luck ....

Be Safe !!!

noelf2 · October 26, 2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

The obvious answer is that your twist is not fast enough to handle a conical.

Ball-ets are designed for slow twist rifling. They are only a bit longer than they are wide. I'm thinking the lack of a good grip on the rifling is the problem. Ball-ets won't be as accurate as PRB in my rifle, but they shouldn't have been as bad as they were.

Hawg · October 26, 2011, 12:30 PM

Those ball-etts have a thick skirt. 90 grains prolly isn't enough to open them up. I've got a friend with a .53 that likes them and he uses 120 grains.

noelf2 · October 26, 2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Those ball-etts have a thick skirt.

Yes they do. After this muzzle loader season, I'll try them again with more powder.

Pahoo · October 26, 2011, 06:21 PM

Quote:

"Buffalo Ball-ets"

I have shot these out of my faster twist in-lines and have gotten very good performance. I have never shot these out of my 1:66. .....

Be Safe !!!

October 26, 2011, 10:56 AM	#1
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	Sighting in a T/C Hawken I had to replace some parts on the rear sight of my 50 cal Hawken (1/66 twist), so I took it to my friends range to sight it in and thought I'd try the lubed "Buffalo Ball-ets" conicals I bought a year or twenty ago (.50 cal, 245gr). Didn't like 'em. They were kinda loose going down the bore. They shot ok at 25 yds but opened way up at 50 yards (using 90gr Pyrodex RS). Shot about 15 of them all together. Went back to my standard of 78gr pyro and a patched round ball and it sighted in perfect. Did I do something wrong with the ball-ets? I put them right on the powder, no patch or wad between. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

October 26, 2011, 11:21 AM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Let's do the twist. The obvious answer is that your twist is not fast enough to handle a conical. twist rates and projectiles are something that one has to work out. My M/L's range fron 1:66 to 1:24. I hsave shot quite a few variety of conicals and Sabots with BoatTail projectiles as well as the good old PRB. Your twist is more applicable to the PRB. Good luck .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

October 26, 2011, 12:30 PM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Those ball-etts have a thick skirt. 90 grains prolly isn't enough to open them up. I've got a friend with a .53 that likes them and he uses 120 grains.