Stock 1:48 Twist TC Hawken .50 Cal Accuracy test

This is a Friend of mines Rifle, it was a Brand new unfired TC Hawken “Kit Rifle” in .50 Cal, I brought it home a Week ago and gave it a good Bore polishing, overall tune up so to speak I then determined the Bore Diameter, and Cast up some of my Bullshop Clone Bullets to test in it, Lubed them with my Modified NASA Lube and Sized them to the Bore.



The Bullet, my Bullshop Clone, Accurate Molds #51-450M, with a few Modifications


5 Shot Group, 50-60 Yards

This Brand New Unfired Barrel was NASTY from the Factory Goop used in it Long ago.

This was the very 1st patch i pulled from it  

What procedure do you use for barrel polishing? I recently was given a 50 TC Hawkins ,and it had a exceedingly dirt bore. Wouldn't shoot without swabing between shots and terrible grouping. After some cleaning with brass brush and lot's of cleaning patches it will shoot will shoot 1-1/2" groups at 35yards with RD ball,and doesn't foul between shots now but still not close to the accuracy I think it should have. I'm casting with a lee mould .490 but can't seem to get any better than.002-.005 out of round from it and have tried 650-900 °lead ,and cold to very hot mold without much improvement . Any thoughts? Dave

Are you using bore lapping compound?

I used 90-120 grit for a couple of strokes on a cleaning patch,then went to 240 grit then 400grit my next step will be 1000grit . The bore is shiny now and I did a bore seasoning with bore butter.

AKhawkin50 wrote:I used 90-120 grit for a couple of strokes on a cleaning patch,then went to 240 grit then 400grit my next step will be 1000grit . The bore is shiny now and I did a bore seasoning with bore butter.

I personally wouldn’t use sand paper in a Barrel, It cuts to much. I use 0000 Steel wool, and a Jewelers type polish

I would also avoid Bore Butter, use a Good quality Gun oil, Oil is proven to Protect Steel. As for seasoning a Bore, this is another BULLSHIT deal, Nothing more than a Sales pitch to sell a bunch of Bore Butter. Seasoning is for Cast iron, such as a Fry pan, Not a Steel Barrel

Thanks for the feedback,it is rock polishing grits that I am using, so that it will reach into the rifling grooves as well .Lucas CLP is what I am using for rust prevention.

AKhawkin50 wrote:Thanks for the feedback,it is rock polishing grits that  I am using, so that it will reach into the rifling grooves as well .Lucas CLP is what I am using for rust prevention.

Lucas makes AWESOME Oils I swear by their Extreme Duty stuff, I have been using it for a few years now

Dd

Lucas blue oil and grease all day long.