canoeguy
US Veteran
I have owned a couple of black powder rifles in my life, both of them .45 caliber "Pennsylvania" style. The first one I had, a Spanish made CVA kit gun, was pretty lame, shot pumpkin size groups at 50 yards. The other was much better, put together from Dixie Gun Works parts by a hobby gunsmith, it shot three shot groups clover leafing, all rounds touching at 50 yards....
Anyway, I had been looking for a Hawken style rifle, I like the ease of cleaning of the Hawken, and the looks. It's been a while since I looked at black powder rifles, and found that Hawkens (and other traditional styled rifles) are not popular with hunters today, everyone wants an in-line rifle, scoped. Guess it works for some, but not for me. I figured if I could get a quality Hawken for less than $250, I'd probably move on it.
One of my neighbors who knows I'm into guns offered me a .50 caliber Pedersoli (made in Italy) Hawken he just wanted to get rid of. Someone in his family had passed away and no one was interested in the Hawken. He said I could have it for $75, with a "Possibles Bag" full of black powder gear. I allowed as I thought that was fair, so it followed me home.
Don't know how old it is, but it kind of speaks of the 1980's to me, with case colored trigger gaurd and patchbox, no brass:
Possibles bag full of gear, powder flask, powder measure, nipple wrench, spare nipple, percussion caps, patches, etc:
The rifle has definatley been hunted with, has some handling marks. Barrel is clean as a whistle, so somone definately took care of this rifle. The gear inside the possibles bag has also been well thought out.
Looking at the rifling, it appears it has the slow rifling common in guns intended for round ball shooting, which is OK with me as I will probably only use it for target shooting.
All I need to get shooting is some powder, fresh caps and a range rod. Also, some blackpowder cleaning solvent. That will have to wait till payday, but I'll post a range report soon.
Anyway, I had been looking for a Hawken style rifle, I like the ease of cleaning of the Hawken, and the looks. It's been a while since I looked at black powder rifles, and found that Hawkens (and other traditional styled rifles) are not popular with hunters today, everyone wants an in-line rifle, scoped. Guess it works for some, but not for me. I figured if I could get a quality Hawken for less than $250, I'd probably move on it.
One of my neighbors who knows I'm into guns offered me a .50 caliber Pedersoli (made in Italy) Hawken he just wanted to get rid of. Someone in his family had passed away and no one was interested in the Hawken. He said I could have it for $75, with a "Possibles Bag" full of black powder gear. I allowed as I thought that was fair, so it followed me home.
Don't know how old it is, but it kind of speaks of the 1980's to me, with case colored trigger gaurd and patchbox, no brass:
Possibles bag full of gear, powder flask, powder measure, nipple wrench, spare nipple, percussion caps, patches, etc:
The rifle has definatley been hunted with, has some handling marks. Barrel is clean as a whistle, so somone definately took care of this rifle. The gear inside the possibles bag has also been well thought out.
Looking at the rifling, it appears it has the slow rifling common in guns intended for round ball shooting, which is OK with me as I will probably only use it for target shooting.
All I need to get shooting is some powder, fresh caps and a range rod. Also, some blackpowder cleaning solvent. That will have to wait till payday, but I'll post a range report soon.
The other differences are not as noticible. Stock architecture and furniture (trigger guard, nose cap and butt plates) differences. What you paid would barely cover the freight for the gun and possibles that were included. Good luck with the shooting, you already had plenty with the buying. Mike
I use it for our club's grocery shoots every other Sunday during the winter. We shoot from inside the club house, as there are small doors in the back wall that we open to shoot. The club house is also heated by two wood burning stoves. Us older guys need a little comfort you know.
