Good Morning T-man. I drew a good muzzleloader elk tag this year here in Idaho. I'm going the traditional route with the gun. 54 cal Hawkin reproduction. Lead projectiles and loose powder required here. I have a supply of 480+- grain conicals and some Pyrodex RS. But I'm ready to experiment with other components if necessary. Anyone have any experience with these, or other recommendations?

Yes, conicals but with 2F black powder in the bore and 4F in pan.

I like real black if you can get it , I think it burns the most consistent but if you have a good Pyrodex RS load roll with it.

if you don't have it rock solid already ,you want to start working on your cleaning and loading procedure

the round that matters is the first one out the barrel

lots of 1 round range trips

Are you allowed to use Sabot's?

No sabots. Solid lead, and I believe "green" mono metals are OK now also. And, it's a caplock I forgot to add. No pan.

I would highly suggest real black powder. Goex, Swiss, Schetzen. Pyrodex can and will have wildli varying pressures load to load.

No help on conicals, all my rifles are round ball guns. Whats the twist in the rifling on your Hawken?

Have fun and good luck on your hunt.

You didn’t state the twist rate of your rifle. If it is slower than 1in 48 it may not stabilize conicals.
I would use Black Powder. It is much easier to ignite than Pyrodex with #11 caps. Black Powder is available from many online suppliers although you’ll incur hazmat fees.
Also I would go with magnum caps. Stay away from standard CCI’s. I prefer RWS caps.
I hunted with a 54 exclusively for over 20 years. In fact I only hunted with muzzleloaders during that time.

Get some holy black and start shooting. Like any gun some experiment is required. Use a chrony. There is a point where you just get more recoil and not velocity

Lose the pryodex....it ignites too slow

Hawkins throw maxis real good...or Minies with the hollow cavity.

Just be sure to run a pick through your nipple

Been shooting the same TC .50 since 1976. I only bought Pyrodex once, and never again. As Nessie says, the ignition is jus too slow. You may want to take a look at Buffalo Bullets. I used to shoot a 370 grain hollow point. Still have a supply of some. Your TC will have a 1:48 twist so will shoot conicals as well as YOU can.

Some body said earlier they preferred the RWS #11 caps. I second that. They are just a hotter, more reliable ignition.

Be confident in yourself and your firearm, and have a fun, safe, and hopefully successful hunt.

Have fun!!!!!

Moosetrot

Thanks much guys. Headed to town to pick up some rws caps and 2f powder if any is to be had. I'll keep you all posted.

3FFF..will work too.

Just have to use less powder...

80-85 grains of 3FFF would be the max ..I would use in that .54

2 FF hunting load ...95-100 grains

make sure you have 2-3 nipples tuned up to fit whichever cap you use

once you thumb press them on you basically can't get them off.


really work on that cleaning and loading procedure you want 100% reliability with first round accuracy and consistency.

Hornady Great Plains conicals worked well for me in my 50cal , I htink they have a 54 yet

but if you have conicals that shoot well for you use them.

X2,I use 95 in my 54.