Help with custom smokestick

[Ed-WI]

I'm trying to get a good target competion package for my kids & kids in 4H club to use at competitions. Events include bullseye & silhouette out to around 110-125 yards. Will need peep & aperture and must shoot patch & ball. Also, they can only use about 60 grains max. How good are the TC Hawkens?
I can put the package together or purchase complete, depending on cost.
Any recommendations RoT, charges, etc?
Any stuff out here for sale?
Personally, I would like to screw around putting a package together, but I doubt that would be the most economical way to go...
Ed

 

[blackpowder jim]

hi ed, your best rifle for the money is a great plains 50cal 1/60 twist. there great round ball shooters once there broke in . i have built several custom rifles and the parts can be 500.00 plus with 400hrs or more of labor. i have a 50 cal great plains that shoots one hole at 50yds. the custom rifles i put together dont shoot a lot better. good luck my friend and keep your powder dry. ps. shooting a muzzle loader is alot like life,you only get one shot at it.

 

[Ed-WI]

Thanks Jim.
Could I get the load specifics that you used?
Ball Ø, patch, lube, etc?
Ed

 

[blackpowder jim]

hey ed,in my 50 cal. great plains its a 15thou.patch with .490 hornaday ball ,borebutter lube made by t/c. for hunting i use 95 g. of goex ff, for target shooting i use 50 gr.of 3fff .i have found they give the same impact point at 75 yds. every rifle has a mind of its own .one other thing that helps with accuacy is a buffer between your powder charge and your lubed patch .i use 2, ox yoke buffers or several layers of waspt nest materal. spend some time shooting and trying different things . powder charge, patch thickness round ball .490 or .495 good luck my friend and keep your powder dry. hunting with a smoke pole is just like life you only get one shot at it.