Just got an unfired 54 cal Hawken and from all apperances it hates Hornady Great Plains bullets. That has always been my go-to bullet. My 54 cal. Renegade loves them, as does my 45 cal Seneca. I tried the suggested 105 grains of Pyrodex Select and was getting, at best, a foot group at 100 yards, where my Renegade will put 'em inside about 4" or so. 100, 110, 120 grains...no go as well. The Renegade, and every other T/C I have shot hates Maxi Balls, so I didn't try them.

Suggestions??? Thanks!

I run a Lyman GPR and have good experience with a .530 ball, .010 wonderlube patch, and 90 grains Goex 3F.

80-90gr 2f with a maxi balls or hunters .sounds to me like you are to hot , back the pyrodex down and work up till they start to fly .
problem with rb's is have to take bone to kill or you will chase them all day .
you also need to realize it is a new gun .
just my 2 cents

I can't knock pure lead round balls at all. They are more likely to expand some at 1900 fps than any conical bullet at 1400-1600. I would try a lighter loading of Pyrodex say 90 grains or change to black powder which I like better anyway.

Try a 425 gr Buffalo Ball over 110 gr of FFg. That has been my go to load for a long time. Usually groups in less than 3 inches at 100 yds and it has un-tracked several elk in Colorado with no problem.

Mac

Lee REAL 380 gr. 54 cal bullet over 100 gr. of Pyrodex. Works wonders on just about anything.

Thanks folks...I appreciate your suggestions...will give em all a try.

Have a great weekend.

Hank,
Don't give up on the great plains yet. Try this load:
Pour a 38special cartridge load of FFg down the pipe first, tap to settle then follow w/100gr (by volume) of Pyrodex. I use a standard RWS #11 cap on a hot-shot nipple. I get great groups, but swab well after every 3 shots.
Your problem may be w/inconsistent ignition, hence the FFg first to better ignite the Pyrodex.
Just a thought, hope you find a workable solution. I love the 54 Renegade and own 2 of them.
Good luck
Mike

My T/C 54 cal Hawken shot extremely well with 90grs of Goex FF, a prelubed wonder patch and .530" Hornaday or Speer round ball.

JPK

My TC New Englander .54 shoots 90grs. of Pyrodex and either Maxiballs or CVA conicals if ignited by RWS caps.