Author Topic: Bridger and Two Other Hawkens Velocity Test  (Read 2953 times)

Offline Herb

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Bridger and Two Other Hawkens Velocity Test
« on: May 29, 2013, 02:29:27 AM »
I have been testing powders for comparison, using Hawkens I built.  Today I used 100 grains of weight-calibrated measures of Goex 2F and .530 roundballs with .010 crush linen patching, which worked perfectly.  I fired one shot at the fouler target at the right with my 31" barreled Bridger, then shot the left target.  The first shot was  1682 fps, so I deleted the velocity and shot six more, which averaged 1715 fps with 54 fps spread.  Shot the second target the same, thinking to group better, average there was 1719 fps with 44 spread.  Third target was with the middle rifle, with a 32" GRRW barrel, 3 foulers, 8 shots averaged 1740 fps, 42 fps spread.  Bottom rifle is my 32"  Douglas-barreled rifle, two foulers then 8 more shots which averaged 1745 fps for 10 shots with 90 fps spread.  This was not an accuracy load, just a test of velocity to compare against other powders.  I put a damp patch on the seating jag and so wiped the bore as I seated each ball.  It was very windy from 8 O'clock, my targets blew over twice and the chronograph screens once.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2020, 06:29:21 AM by Herb »
Herb

Offline WaterFowl

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Re: Bridger and Two Other Hawkens Velocity Test
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2013, 07:26:15 AM »
Nice work Herb...Sounds like fun..I went to work today! :'(
Interesting targets..How do you hold the sights on them?
Are you planning to test any 3f powder through them?
How did the .010 patches hold up?

Offline Herb

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Re: Bridger and Two Other Hawkens Velocity Test
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2013, 04:52:47 PM »
I use  a six O'clock hold centered level with the bottom of the V.  The open V is where the shots hopefully fall, and are easier to see than in a black area.  This is a good target to hold precisely on.  I cut the V template out of thin plywood and spray paint used copier paper, advertising, whatever paper I have. The rear sights are buckhorn with a square notch a little wider than the front sight.  I have already tested Goex 2F, 3F, Swiss 1 1/2, 2 and 3F plus Pyrodex RS and Triple7  2F and 3 F in my .58 fullstock flintlock Hawken, and just a few of these powders in the caplocks.  Have been waiting for a shipment of Old Eynsford 1 1/2F,2F and 3F from Chris Hodgdon for about three weeks.  The linen patching mikes .021 with the ratchet, but I can crush it down to .010, which is what happens in the bore.  They start easy enough.   I have other linen that crushes to .014, and I have to hammer the short starter to start those balls.  With the .014 and 100gr Weight/volume of Goex 2F, the bottom rifle gave 1799 fps 70 spread for 6, but with Goex 3F it went 1820/118 for 5.  The .58 with .562 balls and the .014 averages 1630 fps with 100 gr Goex 2F but with 100 grains weight of Goex 3F it averaged 1651 fps for 10 shots.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2020, 06:30:48 AM by Herb »
Herb

Offline JTR

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Re: Bridger and Two Other Hawkens Velocity Test
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2013, 07:55:28 PM »
Hmmm, seems strange, but if you measure the 5 closest holes on your fouler target, the fouler target has the tightest group!  ;D
Although maybe you were testing for consistent velocity and not tightest group.

John
John Robbins

Offline WaterFowl

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Re: Bridger and Two Other Hawkens Velocity Test
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2013, 04:36:25 AM »
Thanks Herb..You sure do your homework!Always interesting.