This may be a dumb question

[AZ-JIM]

Where do I find loading data for my smoke pole? I have a CVA Hawken I put together when I was a kid but havent shot it since I was a kid. I'm sure the answer is simple but I am at a loss of where to get reliable, accurate data for the muzzle loader. I have an 1861 army replica also thanks for the help!

az-jim

[mooman76]

Caliber would be nice. I have some old CVA manuals.

[AZ-JIM]

Caliber would be nice. I have some old CVA manuals.

36, 50, 54 for the rifle and I belive the pistol is 44

[mooman76]

For CVA rifle coming from the manual, 36 is 45-65 gr 2f or 40-60gr 3f. for 50-90 2f or 45-85 3f.
For the 54 55-110 2f or 50-1003f.

Sorry the manual didn't list data for revolvers but something like 20-30gr 3f should get you there. You can also go lower than minumum if you desire.

[smoked turkey]

Jim its not a dumb question at all. I would suggest that you invest in a Lyman Blackpowder handbook. It has loads for most any caliber you can think of using several different kinds of black powder along with loads for roundball, maxi ball, conicals. It is a very good reference. You can find them at most of the mail order shops like Midway, Midsouth, Grafs, etc.

[357maximum]

Ditto on the lyman book recommendation, but this may tide you over til then.


Seneca, 36 caliber
Round ball loads (.350", 65 grains):
40 grains FFFg - 1894 FPS - 518 ft.lbs
50 grains FFFg - 2034 FPS - 597 ft.lbs
60 grains FFFg - 2150 FPS - 667 ft.lbs

Maxi-Ball loads (128 grains):
40 grains FFFg - 1761 FPS - 882 ft.lbs
50 grains FFFg - 1843 FPS - 965 ft.lbs
60 grains FFFg - 2001 FPS - 1138 ft.lbs

Seneca, 45 caliber
Round ball loads (.440", 127 grains):
50 grains FFg - 1584 FPS - 707 ft.lbs
60 grains FFg - 1701 FPS - 816 ft.lbs
70 grains FFg - 1800 FPS - 914 ft.lbs
80 grains FFg - 1904 FPS - 1022 ft.lbs
90 grains FFg - 1980 FPS - 1106 ft.lbs

Maxi-Ball loads (240 grains):
60 grains FFg - 1369 FPS - 915 ft.lbs
70 grains FFg - 1456 FPS - 1036 ft.lbs
80 grains FFg - 1541 FPS - 1160 ft.lbs

Hawken, 45 caliber
Round ball loads (.440", 127 grains):
50 grains FFg - 1605 FPS - 732 ft.lbs
60 grains FFg - 1720 FPS - 841 ft.lbs
70 grains FFg - 1825 FPS - 947 ft.lbs
80 grains FFg - 1929 FPS - 1054 ft.lbs
90 grains FFg - 2003 FPS - 1140 ft.lbs
100 grains FFg - 2081 FPS - 1231 ft.lbs
110 grains FFg - 2158 FPS - 1324 ft.lbs

Maxi-Ball loads (240 grains):
80 grains FFg - 1564 FPS - 1195 ft.lbs
90 grains FFg - 1659 FPS - 1345 ft.lbs
100 grains FFg - 1743 FPS - 1485 ft.lbs

Renegade & Hawken, 50 caliber
Round ball loads (.490", 175 grains):
50 grains FFg - 1357 FPS - 761 ft.lbs
60 grains FFg - 1434 FPS - 850 ft.lbs
70 grains FFg - 1643 FPS - 1115 ft.lbs
80 grains FFg - 1838 FPS - 1396 ft.lbs
90 grains FFg - 1950 FPS - 1571 ft.lbs
100 grains FFg - 2052 FPS - 1739 ft.lbs
110 grains FFg - 2135 FPS - 1883 ft.lbs

Maxi-Ball loads (370 grains):
80 grains FFg - 1271 FPS - 1328 ft.lbs
90 grains FFg - 1344 FPS - 1484 ft.lbs
100 grains FFg - 1418 FPS - 1652 ft.lbs

Renegade & Hawken, 54 caliber
Round ball loads (.530", 230 grains):
60 grains FFg - 1263 FPS - 815 ft.lbs
70 grains FFg - 1469 FPS - 1102 ft.lbs
80 grains FFg - 1654 FPS - 1397 ft.lbs
90 grains FFg - 1761 FPS - 1584 ft.lbs
100 grains FFg - 1855 FPS - 1758 ft.lbs
110 grains FFg - 1931 FPS - 1905 ft.lbs
120 grains FFg - 1983 FPS - 2009 ft.lbs

Maxi-Ball loads (430 grains):
90 grains FFg - 1263 FPS - 1523 ft.lbs
100 grains FFg - 1345 FPS - 1728 ft.lbs
110 grains FFg - 1428 FPS - 1948 ft.lbs
120 grains FFg - 1499 FPS - 2146 ft.lbs

Renagade, 56 caliber smoothore
Round ball loads (.550", 265 grains):
80 grains FFg - 1195 FPS - 840 ft.lbs
90 grains FFg - 1285 FPS - 972 ft.lbs
100 grains FFg - 1300 FPS - 992 ft.lbs

Source: "Shooting Black Powder Guns," Thompson/Center Arms Company, publication designation "CR October, 1980."

[daschnoz]

Here is the data that I got with my Investarms kit from Cabelas. I also have LEE data for their R.E.A.L. boolits.

http://www.kirbos.net/reload_data/ML_Loading%20Data.pdf

[Alan]

The only dumb questions are the ones you wait to ask 'til the ambulance shows up. GENERAL rule on RB rifles is 1gr for each .01, for a starting load, and maybe double that for a full charge of 3F. 2F can go a bit higher, and provided you have the patch/ball/lube combo worked out, will probably give a bit better accuracy with the heavier charges.

Alan

Oh, and for the revolver generally 2/3-3/4 of a chamber of 2f, with either a greased felt wad under the ball, or crisco/bore butter/tallow over the ball. Cap choice is whatever fits the best, and is not loose. 2F also likes a bit more ramming pressure in revolvers than 3f. 3f, just seat the ball on the powder w/o crushing it. 2F (and pyrodex - shudder) likes a FIRM compression.

[7of7]

I'd have to say that was one of the dumbest questions I haven't asked.. Thanks for asking it for me..

I do agree with Alan..

As I remember with my dad's CVA Kentucky .45, we used to put one or two measures down the barrel.. and didn't have any problems.. (thankfully)
the measure is a 68 grain measure.. (at least that is what the powder weighs when it is full) so, with two, we were a bit over the upper end.. Like I said, thankfully, nothing bad happened.. Probably won't be doing that load anytime soon.. and this was with FFFg..

With my recently acquired 54 cal, I was using a single measure of FFg, and it worked nicely.. a good shooting load.. just found some sight issues that needed to be addressed.. Now, I get to really sight it in..

[AZ-JIM]

Thanks for the help guys. I will probably go ahead and get the Lyman blackpowder manual. I've been threatening to take the rifle out for a while but realizing I didn't know where to start loading could be a bad thing. I did some more internet snooping and the info that has been provided here is in line with the other things I found so I have a place to start now. By the way, Hodgdon, and Goex have info on thier web sites, and possibly others?

az-jim

[7of7]

Jim, Have fun, and be safe!! I just made a new ramrod for mine.. came out really nice.. I ended up making the ends because they had to go inside the rod. Carbon fiber 3/8 dia tube.. Black, with brass ends...