Name .50 Hawken rifle
Type Early 19th century percussion cap rifle
Date 1840
Caliber .54
Length 36in, 91.44cm
E- Factor 17
Muzzle Velocity 1575 fps
Weight Empty 10.5lbs, 4.8kg
Weight Loaded 10.55lbs, 4.8kg
Effective Range 400m
Maximum Range 700m
Type of Fire single shot muzzle loader
Rate of Fire 6 rpm
Feed Device 1 round ball (230 grain), wad, and powder.
Feed Device Weight 0.52oz 0.014kg (14.9 g ball, 90 grain/ 5.8 g powder)
Basic Load 50 rounds 0.96 kg ball, 0.36kg powder,
Basic Load Weight 0.132kg
Mid 1800s American Plains rifle muzzle loaded, open blade sights, percussion cap ignition. Used into the 1880s westward expansion. Named for the Hawken brothers of St. Louis, MO. Prior to 1840 these would be flintlock ignitions. Characterized by being short (33-36 in, 84-91.5cm) and a larger caliber. .36 and .45 calibers being preferred for hunting rifles at that period to conserve lead. This is the rifle of the Mountain man and Plains hunters.
