Sighting and practicing with a Hawken.

[Nomad]

I am a beginner.  I intend to go the range with my hawkin for sighting/practice
It is my understanding that black powder can fowl a barrel very quickly.  
 
How many shots can I get off before I must clean the gun?  
 
Nomad

[Jay Edward (deceased)]

I'm afraid the question is a little indeterminate Nomad.  It would depend on what powder, what lube, ball/patch fit, etc.

What I do is take a jug of Black Powder Bore Cleaning Solvent with me to the range.  Every 2nd shot I run a damp patch down the bore to knock the deposits down.  You can shoot quite a few shots that way before you have to give it a good cleaning.

Out in the field you'll be shooting a shot (or maybe two) at the game animal and the question doesn't arise.

3f burns a little cleaner than 2f and, if that is what you've chosen to run through your Hawken, I believe you'll do OK.

Give us a report on how it went.

[Jacobite]

One thing I like about 2f is it seems to draw less moisture than 3f in damp weather. I have gone to running a cleaning patch after every shot when at the range and I can shoot with no problems.

[Jay Edward (deceased)]

One thing I like about 2f is it seems to draw less moisture than 3f in damp weather.

Huh!  I hadn't noticed that.  I prefer 2f myself and almost all my M/Ls are .54 caliber or over.  

How is the moisture gettin' in to your smokepole?

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[Jacobite]

I have done alot of shooting and re-enacting in inclimate weather where you can not take as many precautions of keeping things dry as you do when just hunting with a rifle that stays loaded till it is shot once.

[Jay Edward (deceased)]

... when just hunting with a rifle that stays loaded till it is shot once.

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Hmmmm... Jacobite... hmmmm.:D

No, what I meant was: Is the water (or moisture) gettin' past your nipple/cap or your primin' powder?  I can't imagine it gettin' past your lubricated patch.
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[LvrLover]

Every time I shoot I run a patch  (either spit or grease on it) before I reload the next shot and can shoot as long as my shoulder can take it. I use a .54 maxi and it starts VERY hard if I don't run a patch between shots but patched balls are a little more forgiving of fouling. Oh yeah, I also use 3F in my .54 for 2 reasons. It seems to burn cleaner and I also use it in my revolver so I don't need to keep 2 powders.