First try - Navy Arms Hawken Hurricane

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

Got this in yesterday! Its a navy arms hawken hurricane .45cal with a 1:22 twist for shooting those big monster conicals. Would anyone happen to know the max loads on these rifles? This has one a stainless steel breech plug set up. I've seen some folks shooting darn near 200gr 2f in some of these rifles. Apparently they built them strong. The wood by the breech area is 3/8" thick and around a 1/4" thick along the forearm. Very sturdy rifle!

https://i.postimg.cc/XvRVXqv8/100-0342.jpg (https://postimg.cc/FfxtB93d)
https://i.postimg.cc/SK2SyCmR/100-0343.jpg (https://postimg.cc/f3snC3tQ)
https://i.postimg.cc/VkHsQDQ2/100-0344.jpg (https://postimg.cc/zyKYTwfk)
https://i.postimg.cc/KvfvQm9G/100-0345.jpg (https://postimg.cc/nCsJhfbg)
https://i.postimg.cc/J4Mzbs5Y/100-0349.jpg (https://postimg.cc/pycvvX7K)
https://i.postimg.cc/0jd5TvPC/100-0350.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jn2rfGWW)
https://i.postimg.cc/Y0wqD0K9/100-0351.jpg (https://postimg.cc/9RJhrWf5)
https://i.postimg.cc/SR0J0V8m/100-0352.jpg (https://postimg.cc/YG3pY6bP)
https://i.postimg.cc/HW5r0DDn/100-0358.jpg (https://postimg.cc/xqfjYZdV)

[stubshaft]

Very nice rifle. I always wanted one in .58.

[Markopolo]

Wow, no idea on max loads, but it sure is a purty thing.. better send it to me and let me “brush” it us a bit for ya.

[bedbugbilly]

Nice looking rifle! Check your bore size - a lot of the Navy Arms rifles utilized Nurich barrels which were known for tight bores - i.e. undersize. In a lot of them, for round ball, a .437 RB worked better than a .440.

I have to question a 200 grain load though - especially in a .45. I'm not saying you can't stuff that amount in and touch it off . . . but how much of that 200 grain load of BP is being blown out the end of the barrel unburned? All it would take is to spread out a white sheet on the ground in front of the rifle or clean snow to find out. As the 85 + years old gunsmith who taught me how to shoot 55 + years ago always said - "use enough to get the job done but not so much as to waste any".

Enjoy the rifle - it's a beauty!

[Maven]

That's indeed a beauty and a stout rifle. Lyman's [old] "Blackpowder Handbook" (ca. 1973) has an article about that rifle and its loads by Val Forgett, the founder of Navy Arms. Said loads were over 120gr. FFg if my memory is correct.

[koger]

Jon I went back thru some old articles, and I think max load is about 120 gr of 3fffg behind a 300 gr conical!

[TheOutlawKid]

Wow very nice!! Where did you find such a gem? Was it pricey?

[Harleysboss]

The wood sure is purty but look at the grain pattern through the wrist. A steady diet of elephant loads and you could turn that nice wood stock into kindling. As you already know with that twist a little longer bullet and 80-90 grains should get you very satisfying results.

[trapper9260]

I had got one years ago in 50cal. use it for deer hunting. Got my fair shear with it.

[triggerhappy243]

looking at this, i would bet that the breech plug is not OEM. and the breech end was cut and refitted. rear sight looks too close to the lock.

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

you are incorrect. Navy arms used heavy duty breech plugs in these rifles due to the massive amount of powder they use. The rear sight is NOT factory, thats why it looks further back.

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

this is an earlier model in 58cal. Notice how close the rear sight is?
https://i.imgur.com/3AJNDqXl.jpg

standard 1/4x28 nipple by TC arms VS Navy arms nipple.
https://i.imgur.com/acC9Q9hl.jpg

[triggerhappy243]

this is an earlier model in 58cal. Notice how close the rear sight is?
https://i.imgur.com/3AJNDqXl.jpg

standard 1/4x28 nipple by TC arms VS Navy arms nipple.
https://i.imgur.com/acC9Q9hl.jpg

short stubby breech plug on that one.

[indian joe]

Even if ya dont break yr shoulder - the law of diminishing returns will get ya well before 200 grains !!!

[triggerhappy243]

Even if ya dont break yr shoulder - the law of diminishing returns will get ya well before 200 grains !!!

i tend to agree with ya here. IMHO, any more than 90 gr. and unburnt powder will be flying out the muzzle.