Hawken .50 cal LRH

This was the gun that got me into muzzleloaders. I built it as a kit gun when I was 12. Since then I have made some upgrades. First I put a green mountain LRH barrel on it with a 1:28” twist. Then I put Lyman front globe and adjustable rear sights. My 5 shot patterns at 100 yards kneeling with a 300 grain lead conical, 90 T7, and a felt wad make for a fun side lock to shoot!

Forgot to throw in the conicals I use in this gun. They are a company in Oregon and for being a lighter and shorter lead bullet in a faster twist barrel, my Hawken has definitely shot them best out of all other bullets I tried.

Now that’s my Cup of Tea I have a Gun Safe FULL of those i have the .45s .50s, and even a .54 LRH, I pour MANY Bullets that Shoot STELLAR in them. I much prefer these over ANY inline, I don’t even own an inline anymore, Just my Sidelocks, I would put my Sidelocks up against ANY inline i owned

Nice looking Rifle you have there! And Welcome to the Forum

Thanks. This is by far my most used muzzleloader. Much easier to clean than my inlines. I also have multiple bullet and powder combos that work great for any application. And yes, she has no problem keeping groups with my Mountaineer

Smj66 said:

Thanks. This is by far my most used muzzleloader. Much easier to clean than my inlines. I also have multiple bullet and powder combos that work great for any application. And yes, she has no problem keeping groups with my Mountaineer

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These Sidelocks are FAR AND AWAY easier to Clean/Care For than an inline!! It’s not even a Close Comparison. This is partially why I don’t own ANY inlines anymore, nor ever intend to again. unless it’s a CRAZY Good deal, and a Rescue situation to Re-Sell it

And the Ole Sidelocks Shoot STELLAR! If you search through the Forum, you will find me all through this Sidelock Section with Mine, Targets, Videos, Etc. I have a YouTube Channel with Mostly these On it


I have shot a TON of Targets like this, this is Just 1 of MANY, I expect this from my GM LRH Barrels, and as long as i hang in there and do my part, EVERY LRH i own will do this, DAY IN, AND DAY OUT

Yes Sir there are several of us that shoot that same set up. Yours also exhibits the same positive shooting results.

Very good looking rifle and some very good shooting! I've owned and used sidelocks since my late teens, but never really got too "involved" with them as far as really accurizing them. Well. . .now in my late 40's and I'm "getting involved" in the Hot Rod Sidelock band wagon. I hoping to get the accuracy out of mine when it is all said and done. The nostalgia and just the traditional look/feel of the sidelocks has always kept my intrest and they are enjoyable to shoot.

Offshore said:

Very good looking rifle and some very good shooting! I've owned and used sidelocks since my late teens, but never really got too "involved" with them as far as really accurizing them. Well. . .now in my late 40's and I'm "getting involved" in the Hot Rod Sidelock band wagon. I hoping to get the accuracy out of mine when it is all said and done. The nostalgia and just the traditional look/feel of the sidelocks has always kept my intrest and they are enjoyable to shoot.

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These Sidelocks are as cool as it gets in my opinion, They actually look and feel like a Real Muzzleloader, and will Shoot with ANY inline Made, I have opened MANY MANY Eyes to that There is a BAD Misconception that they are nowhere near as accurate as an inline? NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!! It tickles the “you know what out of me” to BURN an inline with my Sidelocks in which i do on a Regular basis. In order to make a Sidelock REALLY good, they need a Quality Barrel, And Properly fitted. That SIMPLE

The few inline Rifles i have owned taught me a LOT. If i were EVER to venture back in to inlines, it would NO DOUBT be FULL Smokeless, I would go FULL ON Custom, Stopping at NOTHING! The way i see it, If i am gonna own a Modern inline, Why limit myself? Why have to Clean the Rifle after i shoot it Due to Corrosive powders? I would Go Smokeless and Not have to Deal with ANY of that! But at Smokeless, Why not Grab a Centerfire? All you did with the inline was Screw yourself on a Quick Reload if needed

Different Strokes for different folks!! I respect each and everyone’s decision to Shoot what they want Having fun in whatever you choose is KEY

Idaholewis said:

These Sidelocks are as cool as it gets in my opinion, They actually look and feel like a Real Muzzleloader, and will Shoot with ANY inline Made, I have opened MANY MANY Eyes to that There is a BAD Misconception that they are nowhere near as accurate as an inline? NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!! It tickles the “you know what out of me” to BURN an inline with my Sidelocks in which i do on a Regular basis. In order to make a Sidelock REALLY good, they need a Quality Barrel, And Properly fitted. That SIMPLE

The few inline Rifles i have owned taught me a LOT. If i were EVER to venture back in to inlines, it would NO DOUBT be FULL Smokeless, I would go FULL ON Custom, Stopping at NOTHING! The way i see it, If i am gonna own a Modern inline, Why limit myself? Why have to Clean the Rifle after i shoot it Due to Corrosive powders? I would Go Smokeless and Not have to Deal with ANY of that! But at Smokeless, Why not Grab a Centerfire? All you did with the inline was Screw yourself on a Quick Reload if needed

Different Strokes for different folks!! I respect each and everyone’s decision to Shoot what they want Having fun in whatever you choose is KEY

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Agree with most of this Lewis, but I do not think one design is more accurate than the other. Both are equal if comparing equal quality, shooter, load development, etc.
Walk

Walkingeagle said:

Agree with most of this Lewis, but I do not think one design is more accurate than the other. Both are equal if comparing equal quality, shooter, load development, etc.
Walk

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Mr Walkingeagle, I have said this MANY MANY MANY Times, if ALL things are equal, Both Rifles on the EXACT Same Playing Field. A Properly Setup Sidelock Muzzleloader can be EVERY BIT as accurate as ANY inline Rifle made, PLAIN N SIMPLE!!!!! I have a Safe FULL of them. I have NEVER EVER said that one is More accurate than the other.

Idaholewis said:

Mr Walkingeagle, I have said this MANY MANY MANY Times, if ALL things are equal, Both Rifles on the EXACT Same Playing Field. A Properly Setup Sidelock Muzzleloader can be EVERY BIT as accurate as ANY inline Rifle made, PLAIN N SIMPLE!!!!! I have a Safe FULL of them. I have NEVER EVER said that one is More accurate than the other.

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Went back and re-read and you are correct. I misunderstood the original and apologize. My preference is most definitely the sidelock, just wish my eyes were still young and better in low light...
Walk

Walkingeagle said:

Went back and re-read and you are correct. I misunderstood the original and apologize. My preference is most definitely the sidelock, just wish my eyes were still young and better in low light...
Walk

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I hear ya my Friend, My eyes are my BIG Problem as well, I might end up Scoping a Sidelock Someday, even though it looks Awful! But at least i could get the most out of it, and stil enjoy shooting them

I was actually watching one of your YouTube videos the other night. To bad Green Mountain stopped making the drop in barrels. Seems like most folks just want something of the shelf ready to go. My favorite part of muzzleloading is tinkering. Finding better barrels, sights, bullets, or any other combo is what ke

Offshore said:

Very good looking rifle and some very good shooting! I've owned and used sidelocks since my late teens, but never really got too "involved" with them as far as really accurizing them. Well. . .now in my late 40's and I'm "getting involved" in the Hot Rod Sidelock band wagon. I hoping to get the accuracy out of mine when it is all said and done. The nostalgia and just the traditional look/feel of the sidelocks has always kept my intrest and they are enjoyable to shoot.

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The best thing I did for my Hawken was putting the new 1:28” twist barrel on it. The sights definitely helped but the barrel opened up a lot of options load and bullets wise. I can shoot sabots, conicals, and I still can shoot patch and round balls very well even though faster twist barrels aren’t supposed to shoot them well. Another affordable combo I’ve liked is a sabot and round ball. Works great for small game and varmits.

Smj66 said:

I was actually watching one of your YouTube videos the other night. To bad Green Mountain stopped making the drop in barrels. Seems like most folks just want something of the shelf ready to go. My favorite part of muzzleloading is tinkering. Finding better barrels, sights, bullets, or any other combo is what ke


The best thing I did for my Hawken was putting the new 1:28” twist barrel on it. The sights definitely helped but the barrel opened up a lot of options load and bullets wise. I can shoot sabots, conicals, and I still can shoot patch and round balls very well even though faster twist barrels aren’t supposed to shoot them well. Another affordable combo I’ve liked is a sabot and round ball. Works great for small game and varmits.

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It is truly a Shame that GM Quit Making the LRH line of Barrels. I believe it was Bad Timing, And P Poor Marketing on GM’s Part. There was not enough folks like Myself out there Showing just how Good a Sidelock Muzzleloader can be when Setup Properly. I can remember Commercials WAY BACK about Knight Rifles, and Their 200 Yard Guarantee, They knew EXACTLY how to Market!! And EVERYONE had to have them! Why didn’t GM Do this with their LRH line of Barrels? They Are EVERY BIT AS ACCURATE as the Knight inlines were. Why didn’t GM Have a Few Guy’s like Myself out there Showing how to Put Bullets on Targets at 500 Yards?? Skip Knight’s 200, Go to 500 Yards! These GM LRH Barrels are 110% Capable! But nobody knew it? Again, BAD MARKETING, or none at all. The inlines Took over

The Above put Tons of the Old Sidelock Muzzleloaders in the Closet in favor of the New Modern inlines. I have no doubt it would be Different today, if more Guy’s like Myself had been out there in that CRITICAL Timing YEARS AGO Showing the Capability of these LRH Drop in Barrels in TC Sidelock Stocks. Again, Bad Marketing at it’s FINEST! GM ended up Sitting on a PILE of the LRH Barrels, i bought my .45 LRH Directly From them for 76 Bucks, At that time they Had 40-50 of them Left, They Simply wanted Rid of them. Now Days a Guy has to go through other Sources for a Quality Sidelock Muzzleloader Barrel, and it can get Quite EXPENSIVE to Build One! It is MUCH Easier to toss the Sidelock in the Corner, and Go Buy an inline that is ready out of the Box. It’s a Sad deal, To see something SO GOOD, Disappear.

I keep plugging along Showing JUST HOW CAPABLE These Old Sidelocks Are with a Quality Barrel. Keeps a few of the Noses above “In Check”

Smj66 said:

This was the gun that got me into muzzleloaders. I built it as a kit gun when I was 12. Since then I have made some upgrades. First I put a green mountain LRH barrel on it with a 1:28” twist. Then I put Lyman front globe and adjustable rear sights. My 5 shot patterns at 100 yards kneeling with a 300 grain lead conical, 90 T7, and a felt wad make for a fun side lock to shoot!

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Very nice kneeling group to me! That is definitely the best bullet for your sweet looking gun. Welcome to the club friend.

James Sparhawk said:

Very nice kneeling group to me! That is definitely the best bullet for your sweet looking gun. Welcome to the club friend.

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Thank you. The gun did the work making the groups, I was just there for support!

Idaholewis said:

It is truly a Shame that GM Quit Making the LRH line of Barrels. I believe it was Bad Timing, And P Poor Marketing on GM’s Part. There was not enough folks like Myself out there Showing just how Good a Sidelock Muzzleloader can be when Setup Properly. I can remember Commercials WAY BACK about Knight Rifles, and Their 200 Yard Guarantee, They knew EXACTLY how to Market!! And EVERYONE had to have them! Why didn’t GM Do this with their LRH line of Barrels? They Are EVERY BIT AS ACCURATE as the Knight inlines were. Why didn’t GM Have a Few Guy’s like Myself out there Showing how to Put Bullets on Targets at 500 Yards?? Skip Knight’s 200, Go to 500 Yards! These GM LRH Barrels are 110% Capable! But nobody knew it? Again, BAD MARKETING, or none at all. The inlines Took over

The Above put Tons of the Old Sidelock Muzzleloaders in the Closet in favor of the New Modern inlines. I have no doubt it would be Different today, if more Guy’s like Myself had been out there in that CRITICAL Timing YEARS AGO Showing the Capability of these LRH Drop in Barrels in TC Sidelock Stocks. Again, Bad Marketing at it’s FINEST! GM ended up Sitting on a PILE of the LRH Barrels, i bought my .45 LRH Directly From them for 76 Bucks, At that time they Had 40-50 of them Left, They Simply wanted Rid of them. Now Days a Guy has to go through other Sources for a Quality Sidelock Muzzleloader Barrel, and it can get Quite EXPENSIVE to Build One! It is MUCH Easier to toss the Sidelock in the Corner, and Go Buy an inline that is ready out of the Box. It’s a Sad deal, To see something SO GOOD, Disappear.

I keep plugging along Showing JUST HOW CAPABLE These Old Sidelocks Are with a Quality Barrel. Keeps a few of the Noses above “In Check”

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Are you making those 500 yard shots with paper patch bullets or something else?

Smj66 said:

Are you making those 500 yard shots with paper patch bullets or something else?

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Yea, Mostly PP, I really like my Paper Patch stuff, it is actually what got me interested in the Muzzleloading Hobby in the Very Beginning. A good Grease Groove Bullet will do ANY, and EVERYTHING a PP Will tho, Just Depends on the Gun/Load? So far i have been able to get every Fast Twist Barrel i own to Shoot either/or equally well. For Bench/Target my Paper Patch gets the Most use, They are a Fun, Nostalgic Bullet to Shoot. For Hunting (which I don’t do much of With Muzzleloaders) The Little bit i do, I swear by 1 of my MANY Snug/Tight Fitting Grease Groove Bullets, one that i can Hunt in Confidence with Knowing the Bullet Will stay FIRMLY on the Powder Charge.

Idaholewis said:

Yea, Mostly PP, I really like my Paper Patch stuff, it is actually what got me interested in the Muzzleloading Hobby in the Very Beginning. A good Grease Groove Bullet will do ANY, and EVERYTHING a PP Will tho, Just Depends on the Gun/Load? So far i have been able to get every Fast Twist Barrel i own to Shoot either/or equally well. For Bench/Target my Paper Patch gets the Most use, They are a Fun, Nostalgic Bullet to Shoot. For Hunting (which I don’t do much of With Muzzleloaders) The Little bit i do, I swear by 1 of my MANY Snug/Tight Fitting Grease Groove Bullets, one that i can Hunt in Confidence with Knowing the Bullet Will stay FIRMLY on the Powder Charge.

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Out of curiosity, what is the bore diameter on your .50 cal green mountain barrel? I’ve read that they are .502 but mine calipers at .500.

Smj66 said:

Out of curiosity, what is the bore diameter on your .50 cal green mountain barrel? I’ve read that they are .502 but mine calipers at .500.

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Mine is right at .501, You will see me Refer to, and shoot a LOT of Target Bullets where they will be .001 under Bore, Or right on Bore. I get AWESOME Accuracy here, and since i am Target Shooting there is Simply no need to Shove Tight Bullets Down. Hunting is a WHOLE DIFFERENT Ball Game of Course, For Hunting I want a good TIGHT Fitting Bullet that i can Hunt in FULL Confidence Knowing that the Bullet Can NOT Slide off the Powder Charge.