- Joined
- Sep 25, 2008
- Messages
- 140
- Reaction score
- 187
I have a Grey Hawk in like-new condition, with both #11 and Musket Cap nipples. I believe I have a 1:48" twist, 24" barrel. I got it in trade about 10 years ago for some work I did for a widow who needed to liquidate her late husband's arsenal; had to take this rifle in addition to others since her deal was I had to get ALL of his old guns out of her house. Let's just say it was a labor of love.
I live in Iowa now where inlines are legal for ML seasons, and have 2 scoped inline rifles, so I don't really need this Grey Hawk for hunting. But, I've never used a sidelock before, and it looks fun. I especially like that it seems to be nearly all stainless steel in a very sturdy synthetic stock, so I should be able to clean it rigorously without ruining wood finish or bluing/casehardening. I have a few boxes of 385 grain Hornady Great Plains conicals, some 0.490" round balls, pillow tick patches, Bore Butter, CCI #11 and Musket Caps, Pyrodex RS, range rod, short starter, and the necessary powder measuring and cap handling tools.
My questions are (1), should I shoot this rifle or keep it as a "safe queen" in new condition, and (2) if I do shoot it, what are good recommended starting loads for the balls & conicals? I've been shooting 209-ignition inlines with saboted jacketed bullets over Blackhorn since I started muzzleloading, & have no experience with sidelocks, Pyrodex, Goex, etc.
I live in Iowa now where inlines are legal for ML seasons, and have 2 scoped inline rifles, so I don't really need this Grey Hawk for hunting. But, I've never used a sidelock before, and it looks fun. I especially like that it seems to be nearly all stainless steel in a very sturdy synthetic stock, so I should be able to clean it rigorously without ruining wood finish or bluing/casehardening. I have a few boxes of 385 grain Hornady Great Plains conicals, some 0.490" round balls, pillow tick patches, Bore Butter, CCI #11 and Musket Caps, Pyrodex RS, range rod, short starter, and the necessary powder measuring and cap handling tools.
My questions are (1), should I shoot this rifle or keep it as a "safe queen" in new condition, and (2) if I do shoot it, what are good recommended starting loads for the balls & conicals? I've been shooting 209-ignition inlines with saboted jacketed bullets over Blackhorn since I started muzzleloading, & have no experience with sidelocks, Pyrodex, Goex, etc.