I finally got the rifle a friend has been building for me AND got a replacement for the camera that died a couple weeks ago, so I took both new toys to the range today.
The rifle is fullstock Hawken percussion .54. It has a Getz barrel w/1:56 twist, an L&R lock and set triggers, and a maple stock.
It is not a copy of any true Hawken rifle, but it is close enough for me. I got it the way I wanted although some of the features are kind of a mix of early Hawkens vs. later Hawkens...
The triggers have the early style straight front trigger and the stock has a straight cheek piece--these were usually on early (often flint) Hawkens, but I don't like the later curved trigger and beavertail cheekpiece as much. Also I think the trigger guard is an earlier style than seen on later percussion Hawkens.
Also the barrel is lighter than I think you would find on a true Hawken, but with the strength of today's steel I just did not need or want the weight of a 1" or larger barrel. The barrel on my rifle is 1" at the breech and tapers to 7/8" at the muzzle--the rifle weighs 8 lbs. 6 ounces and carries very nicely.
I have put about 50 balls through it and it shoots very well. I have been testing loads and not worrying about POI too much yet. It seems to like 90 grains of Goex3F for hunting, and 70 for target shooting, with a PRB.
We had a visiter at the 50 yd line this morning too. The shooting did not bother her a bit, but I guess she's used to the noise and there is no hunting at my Fish & Game, so why should she be nervous?
The rifle is fullstock Hawken percussion .54. It has a Getz barrel w/1:56 twist, an L&R lock and set triggers, and a maple stock.
It is not a copy of any true Hawken rifle, but it is close enough for me. I got it the way I wanted although some of the features are kind of a mix of early Hawkens vs. later Hawkens...
The triggers have the early style straight front trigger and the stock has a straight cheek piece--these were usually on early (often flint) Hawkens, but I don't like the later curved trigger and beavertail cheekpiece as much. Also I think the trigger guard is an earlier style than seen on later percussion Hawkens.
Also the barrel is lighter than I think you would find on a true Hawken, but with the strength of today's steel I just did not need or want the weight of a 1" or larger barrel. The barrel on my rifle is 1" at the breech and tapers to 7/8" at the muzzle--the rifle weighs 8 lbs. 6 ounces and carries very nicely.
I have put about 50 balls through it and it shoots very well. I have been testing loads and not worrying about POI too much yet. It seems to like 90 grains of Goex3F for hunting, and 70 for target shooting, with a PRB.
We had a visiter at the 50 yd line this morning too. The shooting did not bother her a bit, but I guess she's used to the noise and there is no hunting at my Fish & Game, so why should she be nervous?
