Cabelas Sporterized Hawken .54 Load Questions

[luvmystang67]

So, at the Puyallup show last weekend I couldn't pass up a Cabelas Sporterized Hawken (percussion) .54 for $120.  I feel like its a pretty good deal.  Bore looks nice, I feel like it was a pretty good pickup and will be better for hunting than my CVA POS (Hunterbolt Magnum).

I've always used sabots and powerbelts in my .50 CVA.  I think it has a 1 in 28" or 1 in 32" twist.  I know the new (to me) .54 has a much slower twist.  I'm just wondering what kind of loads and bullets people use in these for accuracy and knockdown?

Any help or other advise would be greatly appreciated.  I'm really excited about the double-set trigger.

Thanks in advance.

[Sagebrushwilly]

After a quick search (including at Cabelas) the standard Sporterized Hawken has
a twist of 1:48.
I have the Sporterized Hawken carbine in 50 cal and it has a twist of 1:24.

[dawhunt]

I had one and shot 100 gr's of pyrodex and a 290 gr power belt and had very good accuracy with it.
Bob

[bobcat]

Those are nice guns, you got a good deal. Those are one of the best traditional muzzleloaders you can get. I would probably try Powerbelts or Maxi Balls.

With the slower twist you'll probably be better off with the lighter, shorter ones.