T/C PA Hunter Question

[snicker]

I started looking for one of these before I asked any questions so I figured I would go back and ask my questions first before I spent too much only to be disappointed in the accuracy.  So here are my questions and comments.

Is the PA Hunter carbine caplock accuracte with PRB?  I have heard mixed comments from pretty good to not worth it.  I am looking at the carbine for the weight as I don't shoot deer farther than 75 yards basicly because that's about as far as you can get a good shot where I hunt and most shots are under 50 yards.

I have a New Englander with a 24" barrel and a White Mtn Carbine.  The New Englander does pretty good with maxiballs but not worth a hoot with a PRB.  The White Mtn Carbine is still as NIB and unfired, I just keep it around because it's a nice little rifle.  It is supposed to have the 1:38 twist (I have not measured it yet) which I understand is not good for PRB.  Those are the only two .50 cal sidelocks I have.  I like both as they are lighter than the Renegade and GPR.

Now then - I called Thompson Center to ask if I could get a round ball barrel for the White Mtn and was told they did not make them for that model and have no plans to do so.  However, they said I could get a PA Hunter Carbine barrel and it will fit on the White Mtn but the under rib was either too long or too short, they didn't know which.  They said if it was too long I could cut it down to work (not with my lack of tools) and if it were too short it would look dorky which would be okay with me as deer and targets don't care what your gun looks like.  Does anyone have any experience with this and know if it will fit and if it does whether the under rib is too long or too short?

Of course all this hinges on whether the PA Hunter Carbine with the 21" barrel is accurate enough with PRB.  (Wish they had made the Carbine with a 24" barrel.)  So would it be feasible to just buy the barrel for the WMC and go from there or keep looking for a PA Hunter?

Before recommending a Rengegade or GPR please remember I prefer the lighter weight rifle and rather pack around a 6 1/2 lb rifle than and 8 - 9 lb rifle.

Thanks to all who look at this and I appreciate any comments you have.

[Landngroove]

Fox Ridge Outfitters has a .50 caliber 21" barrel, with a 1 in 48" twist that will fit your .50 caliber White Mountain Carbine. It is 15/16" across the flats, and is full octagonal. It is the Fox Ridge Carbine barrel. Go to the T/C Custom Shop on the website. wwwfoxridgeoutfitters.com 1-800-243-4570

[snicker]

Landngroove,

I looked at that barrel for the FRO Carbine.  The FRO Carbine is pretty much the same rifle as the WMC but with a few improvements.  The only problem with the FRO barrel is it has the QLA which is a pain to load PRB in.  I tried it in a GreyHawk I used to have and the patch keep slipping and coming uncentered.  I might call them and see if it can be had without the QLA but was really wanting something with a slower twist.  Thanks for your input though.

[Landngroove]

Snicker; I have a T/C Penn. Hunter Carbine, 1 in 66" twist. It is not a great round ball shooter. I have tried different patch, ball, powder combinations, .490", and .495". Still can't get a consistant accurate load. I would not reccomend this barrel. I have two .54 caliber White Mountain Carbines, both with 1 in 48" twist. They both shoot patched roundballs accurately. As for the QLA, I know what you mean, you have to take extra care loading a PRB with QLA. I solved the problem by cutting my own patches from pillow ticking material from Wal-Mart. I cut square patches, that are slightly larger than T/C pre-cut round patches. I think that being square, and slightly larger prevents the ball from sliding into the bore, off the patch. Can't wait for my FRO Carbine barrel to arrive, and see how it shoots. As for your New Englander with its 24" barrel, (Rynite Stock?) I have a T/C High Plains Sporter, .50 caliber, 24" barrel, 1 in 48" twist. This barrel is almost identical to the 24" new Englander barrel. Mine is a tack driver with 90 grains Goex FFG, .018" pillow ticking patch, & .490" round ball. Make sure your barrel is clean down to raw steel. Use a comercial solvent like Shooters Choice Black Powder Cleaning Gel And Bore Cleaner. Then try working up a load. You may have leading from shooting lead conicals. Even though the bore may look clean, you will be surprised what will come out.

[snicker]

Landngroove,
That's what I was wanting to know about the PA Hunter Carbine from someone who had one.  Thanks for that information, I'll cross that one off my list.  Actually, when I got the New Englander it was new in the box.  I really cleaned the bore good before firing one shot out of it and then it was only with RB.  I tried every combination of patch, ball and powder charge I could and the results were not good.  Cleaned really good somemore and used a little Flitz to polish the bore and take off some sharp spots.  More PRB's and more powder combinations with different powders - still no good.   After that I decided to try some maxiballs and let me tell you it is real close to a one-holer at 50 yards.  I'd be real interested in the results you get from your FRO barrel when you shoot it.  If it does pretty good for you I might just get one of those for my WMC.  So let me know how it works out if you don't mind.  Thanks again for the info.

[Winter Hawk]

I had the PA Hunter flintlock rifle (long barrel) with 1:66 twist and it shot very well for me, both round ball and the Lee REAL bullets.  I bought it in 1992 so it didn't have the recoil pad.  Sure wish i still had it...

-WH-