The Hawken Rifle - Traditional MuzzleLoader

[@robertsells8309]

The details on the rifle; It weighs just 8 pounds, is balanced perfectly for off-hand shooting. The barrel is 32 inches long, tapered from one inch at the breech to seven eights inch at the muzzle. The barrel is a Rice with square bottom groves and a 1-66 twist. The lock and triggers are Davis. The "curl" design of the snail is very similar to the J&S Hawken rifle once owned by Bob May. A detailed sketch is illustrated on page 48 - The Hawken Rifle - by Charles Hanson. The front sight is a silver blade in a copper base, the rear sight is very similar to the one on the Mariano Modena Hawken rifle. The figured maple stock is reminiscent of the W.S. Hawken rifle in the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming. And yes, the maple stump that stock was carved from was about to be thrown into a bonfire. My gun builder was present and asked if he could have it instead of burning it.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

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[@jeffallen6754]

That’s a damn nice one you’ve got there. My dad also had a great copy he shot for many years that was made by the late Bill keil from Atlanta. Pop traded it to one of his buddies in the early nineties or there about for a really nice single action army. The buddy he traded it to has since passed on as well as my Dad. I would pay a pretty penny to have his old rifle back.

[@garyhiggins4315]

I always wondered what rifle Kit Carson actually shot! Thanks for posting! 😊😊😊🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Carson had several Hawken rifles. This one is modeled after his last one which is now in Santa Fe. Thanks for watching.

[@s_android]

Loved it! Grass-roots history right before my eyes. Thanks!

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@prsearls]

Beautiful Hawken and shooting.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you.

[@Mr3311957]

Steve, ol' Ohio Joe here; I sure hope you do more videos. Thanks for this one! You have a lot of knowledge to offer about Traditional Muzzle Loading and I hope you continue to share it with us through videos.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Candle Snuffer I plan to. Learning to edit now. Hunting season is in full swing so look for more after January.

[@paraplegichistoricalsports5700]

@@traditionalmuzzleloader4983 Yep, hunting season is in full swing here in the Carolinas as well. Great video and I love the short starter with bore protector and fixing to buy three of them. I make my gun ram rods .5 inch longer than the barrel. This allows me to keep a bore protector on my rod, smart huh sir? I'm an avid muzzle loader competitor and hunter. Matter of fact, every rifle, shotgun, and pistol I own is a black powder weapon. I wouldn't have it any other way. I even love to clean my guns after I shoot them. I'm only 42 years old and the youngest member of my muzzle loading club. I fear our beloved sport and way of life is in peril. I have tried and tried to get people my age and younger into it without any success. Looking forward to your future videos and I hope you have a great hunting season sir.

[@robertsells8309]

@@paraplegichistoricalsports5700 Thank you for the kind words.

[@jimf1964]

Beautiful rifle.

[@TexasChilliMassacre]

Bought my 50 cal.italian hawken about a year and a half ago for only 220 Euros(same in $US). What can i say, i love it.Just like my 45 cal. sharps carbine.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

They are fun!

[@davidlewis9572]

Just started my black powder experience, having a blast . My Hawkin 50 shoots great 👍

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

That's great that you are getting into it and having a blast. I have a ton of information on my website traditionmuzzleloader.com in case you want to take a look. Also feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

[@kevinward8915]

Awesome video,beautiful rifle

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you sir.

[@BrandonViani]

Beautiful rifle! I just ordered a Pedersoli Hawken which looks similar.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you.

[@CapnSchep]

That is the most beautiful Hawken Rifle I’ve ever seen ...!!

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you!

[@terryqueen3233]

I have a Hawken Flintlock and I'm still learning so thank you very much for the video. I'm going to your playlist to see some of what you have put out. Thank you have a great day and stay safe and keep your powder dry!

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Awesome, thank you!

[@TexasChilliMassacre]

I wish i had a flintlock hawken 2. Mine's a percussion.

[@jamesvatter5729]

Stock was "Saved from a bonfire." That makes for a great story line. BTW: This video earned a "thumbs up" at that turkey gobble!

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

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[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

1

[@carlmoeller56]

Nice video short and to the point. Beautiful rifle.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you

[@jpayne1175]

That's an absolutely beautiful rifle. I appreciated that you mentioned wearing ear and eye protection. So may traditional shooters forego eye protection. Great video, keep them coming.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you.

[@poppasquat8483]

Never knew New Mexico could look like that!

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Oh yes, New Mexico is not all desert. There are mountains and forests and rivers and lakes.

[@Willybrordus]

Good video!

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

Great video, thank you.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Glad you liked it!

[@kowalski363]

Great video

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thanks!

[@davefellhoelter1343]

Ya'll don't waste much time in your aim! Point and SHOOT, Love it! Keep your Smoke Pole SMOKING!

[@christianrosler4030]

Haben dieses Frontlader nicht immer noch eine Gussform dabei,Um die eigenen Bleikugeln zu Gießen? Liebe Grüße aus der Schweiz. Sie machen interessante Clips von diesen "alten" Flinten.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

The mold does not come with the gun as it did in the old days. The bore size or calibers are standardized these days. Some purchase cast or swaged ball to match the bore of their gun. Some of us purchase a mold and cast our own. Nice to hear from Switzerland. Thank you for watching.

[@dave-d-grunt]

Looks like a Lyman Great Plains rifle. I have one in .50.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

The Lyman GPR is as close to a "real" Hawken as you can get in a production gun. I also had a .50 caliber. I won a ton of shooting matches and killed a pickup full of whitetail deer with that rifle. I never did like the weight and balance of that rifle. I sold it as soon as I got my custom built Hawken.

[@MTwoodsrunner]

Nice Rifle and nice Shoot'n amigo!...woods

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you!

[@james_lessick892]

Great content, thank you 👌🤠👍

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sm6wet]

Nice video. Cheers from.NC

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@redsky8509]

Back in the 1980's an Italian company put out a Hawken Rifle. They copied on in a museum. They did such a good job that it was a .53 caliber. sure wish I had the money to buy one. So good to see someone using a Real Hawken style rifle. Not just close but true.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you, Yes those are nice rifles if you can find anyone willing to part with one. They take a 520 ball.

[@craigoldsen1667]

I have two of those Santa Fe Hawkens....one is a factory-completed & finished model and the other I built from a kit. The one I finished looks better than the factory-finished version because it was slimmed down, per a blueprint from The Hawken Shop. I find that a .523 ball with a pillow ticking patch to be the most accurate in my rifles.

[@glenspryszak6005]

They also use .535 balls, and 530. The thickness of the patches makes up the difference. I've had a Traditions for over 25 years. It's nice. Normally I load 85-90 grains of powder.

[@peghead]

Was that the Navy Arms Hawken? At the time the NAH was the best-looking traditional Hawken Rocky Mountain Rifle in kit form, slightly out of my price range in 1980.

[@michaelshoup2703]

That's one fine lookin rifle, sir.. Is there a link to the builder? Sorry, but would I be rude asking about what she cost? Bookmarked the wed site.. Thank you...

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you for the compliments. Your question isn't rude or out of line. I can't answer it though because the builder is a personal friend and his request is that I not give out that information. It may seem odd to you but he will only build a rifle he wants to build and only for someone he knows well. Gun building is not his source of income, he does it only for the love of doing it. Having said that, there are builders in the business who can build a fine Hawken rifle for you. Google W B Selb, Don Sith, or The Hawken Shop for information on what is available and prices. If you are in a hurry, check the Track of The Wolf site.

[@michaelshoup2703]

@@traditionalmuzzleloader4983 I completely understand.. I'm sure he has received many complements on his work, but you can ad mine to the list! And thanks for the list of options.. I've been out of the Buckskinner loop for too long.. Good to know who's current and respected.. 😉

[@garyhiggins6718]

A Few years back now, I carved a Hawken Rifle out.of brass rod and lollypop sticks to go with a model figure I had sculpted of a mountain man! The height.of the figure was 90 mm, so you can imagine the length of the gun?😊😊😊🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Dashslow99]

It has multiple bullets in one time? Or you should reload after every shot?

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

?? It's a muzzleloader. You load each shot down the muzzle.

[@joeeckley5272]

I've been a fan of your website for quite awhile-- never knew you had videos-- but now I'm understanding why you have those wheelbarrows full of shooting metals, ribbons and trophies. Impressive shooting and explanation. I use Ballistol and water on .018" pillow ticking, then laying the strips on a few window screens across a saw horse to dry. Just wondering what ratio-- oil to water you use, if you wouldn't mind sharing.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thanks Joe. The water to oil ratio is very dependent on the local humidity conditions. When I lived in North Texas 8 parts water to 1 part oil was the most accurate. Here in the high desert of New Mexico I have to use a 3 to 1 mix. Now this difference is due to the amount of humidity in the location where you first dry your fabric strips. Sealing them in an air tight container or plastic baggie will hold the level of moisture consistent if you travel to a different climate. In other words, the patching I made up in Texas worked fine when I traveled to Colorado to shoot at the Rocky Mountain National Rendezvous. However that 8 to 1 mix dried in Farmington New Mexico left the fabric so dry that it would not start into the muzzle. Likewise, the 3 to 1 mix I make in Farmington performs fine when I travel back to Texas to shoot there. Just keep your lubed patching in an air tight container until ready to use it. Then it won't loose or absorb moisture from the air in a different environment. Glad to hear you enjoy the website. I'm new at this video thing, hope to improve with practice. Looking forward to doing more topics when the weather warms and I can get back into the forests.

[@joeeckley5272]

@@traditionalmuzzleloader4983 experience

[@joeeckley5272]

@@traditionalmuzzleloader4983 Not sure what happened to the rest of my reply, but thanks a ton for your willingness to share your knowledge and life experiences. Regards and stay safe.

[@andrewvu1752]

Is this made by Don stith?

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

No. A good friend built it for me.

[@andrewvu1752]

@@traditionalmuzzleloader4983 thanks

[@Bayan1905]

Finally, a REAL Hawken rifle, the copies out there from CVA, Traditions and T/C are not actual Hawken rifles. In reality, the CVA Mountain Rifle and the Traditions Mountain Rifle are closer to the real Hawken design than the guns actually sold listed as Hawken rifles.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Trade rifles, Plains rifles, Mountain rifles, there were all kinds of rifles made by men other than the Hawken Brothers. And the Hawken brothers also made rifles for small game that were not their "mountain rifle" pattern. Every half stock percussion rifle is not a "Hawken" style rifle.

[@russellevans4226]

Could anyone point me in the direction of a loading resource or any recommended target loads for an ardesa (traditions) match hawken, 1 in 20 twist, 32 inch barrel, .45. Really struggled to find info. It's my first muzzleloading rigle (had an uberti 1858 for a few years now) Appreciate any help. Thankyou

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

@@russellevans4226 kzbin.info/www/bejne/poaki3mIprOcpassi=cX72DO7HUi0BKYwM Watch this series on how to find your rifles most accurate load.

[@stepabove2136]

Who made that rifle?

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

A good friend I rendezvous with who is a talented rifle builder. He has the skills!

[@rogerschrotenboer2166]

I have been looking everywhere for a Thompson Center .54 hawken I can’t find one anywhere the only thing I could find is 50 caliber in traditions build your own at Scheels ,And I would prefer to buy a Thompson center can someone direct me where I might be able to pick one up

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

I don’t know if Thompson Center is making them anymore. You might look at the Lyman Great Plains Rifle.

[@bobharris5213]

I agree that the Lyman great plains rifle is a better choice. You can certainly have what you want. A company called Track of the Wolf in Minnesota usually has Thompson Center rifles for sale as well as Lyman rifles. Check Midsouth Shooters Supply for Lyman. Possibly a better price. Both good companies to deal with. I would not buy a Traditions rifle. Much cheaper quality. Hope this helps you.

[@billthebax5578]

Roger, TC quit making the hawken rifle. If you find do find one, they are very fine rifles. I’ll give you a little advice. That rifle comes with a 1~45 twist which is middle of the road for conical and round balls. All I ever shoot as with most people I know shoot only round ball. I replaced the barrel with a green mountain 1-66 , 32” barrel specific for round ball. VERY accurate, you’ll love it. Keep your eye , if possible you might find one you have to piece together. You might find a good deal on one someone hasn’t cleaned their barrel after shooting. Believe me if that happens you’ll need a new barrel anyway. Good luck. I love mine and that 32” barrel looks cooler anyway.

[@rogerschrotenboer2166]

Thank you everyone for the feedback and input, I was aware t/c quit making them several years ago, I was still hoping to find a t/c 54 at a gun show however because of covid they have stopped the Gun shows even in the great state of Montana where I live 👎 I was thinking I could find one on a forum somewhere however I’m thinking now A Lyman may be the way to go

[@bobharris5213]

A little more info. Lyman makes 2 versions, a Great Plains Rifle (1 in 60 twist for round ball) and a Great Plains Hunter (1in 32 twist for conical bullets). A T/C Hawken has a 1in48 twist, kind of in the middle.

[@jackson4861]

Where did you get that vest?

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

I made the vest.

[@carlrenninger6991]

Mine is a flint lock , and 58 caliber. It scares me.

[@tommyone7718]

WOW! Cool

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thanks

[@shawnpresley6189]

Hawken Rifles. Liquifying watermelons since 1823.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Shawn Presley 😁 absolutely!

[@gb-bp1me]

Who is your gun builder and what's his phone number? I want one of these rifles

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

He is a good friend and doesn't want me to advertise his contacts. He only builds what he wants to build. However, there are builders who will work for you. Just Google for them. Also check Track of the Wolf and muzzleloading forums.

[@murryhumble]

Track of the wolf in Minnesota sells kits

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

*A W E S O M E !*

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank You

[@redtobertshateshandles]

What the man didn't show was cleaning every scerrick of oil out beforehand. The nipple too.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

I addressed all that in the masterclass series on percussion rifles.

[@stepabove2136]

Beautiful rifle lol 😆 it's a good thing nothing is after you they would have to have 30 min break so you could reload. 😉.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

That's why those guys carried knives and tomahawks!

[@stephenembrey883]

I am so jealous I wish I could shoot real black powder out of my muzzleloaders. I just totally refuse. Once you fire black powder and a gun one single shot, you will spend the rest of your life trying to prevent rust and it is not possible. I use the black powder substitute a lot of which I make on my own but using black powder is complete damn nation to a gun. Sorry it's just me I'm a veryBusy person and I cannot spend the rest of my life trying to keep the rust off of my guns that were made for the original old (rustic)...black powder.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Hot soapy water in a bucket. Not hard at all.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

If you don’t want to clean them, you should not have one.

[@ltdc426]

Well substitutes just don't work in flintlocks, gotta have the real deal. Yup, gotta clean 'em. Cleaning is almost a hobby in itself to me. If I shot percussion I might give the substitutes a try. But flinters are worse than cocaine. I say that because you can quit cocaine, (I've heard)

[@garyhammond2213]

Beautiful rifle.

[@traditionalmuzzleloader4983]

Thank you