Shot the new Thompson Center 54 today

[Bladeforger]

Finally got the chance to shoot the T/C Hawken 54 today that I got from tomhargrove.  The 1:48 twist works great with PRB, just like everyone says.  It's easy to load and fun to shoot.  I have to replace the blade sights with more age-and-eyesight-friendly peep sights, but that was a known factor.  Since it's just become my favorite smokepole by far, I won't have any qualms about springing for the peep.

All the folks that have said they really like their Hawken / Renegade in the 54 calibers... now I know what you mean.

I experimented with the loads, at both 25 and 50 yards.  She likes 40 grains, 50 grains, 60 grains, 70 grains, AND 80 grains.  I couldn't believe it, but this rifle shoots sweet at such a variety of loadings that it's amazing.  I'll have to have better sights to be able to tell for absolute sure, but as best I could tell the accuracy was good all through that range of loading.

I was with a friend who was shooting a new-to-him AR-15 that was not ejecting perfectly and was kinda frustrating him.  There wasn't any question who was having more fun.  He even shot the 54 a couple of times and liked it. 

Keith

[Huntsman1]

Keith congrats on your new stinky stick. I bought the same thing but used last fall. This is an earlier model with no QLA. It already had a musket cap nipple installed which I prefer anyways.
I tried roundball and Lee REAL bullets with charges ranging from 70 to 110gr charges. It liked them all.
I was very happy with my purchase too. I found the Lee REAL`s to really give a nice THWACK on the paper target at 100 yards, I will definatley take this hunting next year for deer or moose even.
I liked the .54 so much that I bought a LYMAN GPR kit which I built just this summer, it has the 1:62 twist so shes purely a prb shooter. And not too long ago I just bought a TC Renegade in .56 smooth bore and picked up another barrel in .54.
So many .54`s.....so little time LOL.
The TC Hawkens really are a great production muzzle loader are`nt they,
Cheers 

[Winter Hawk]

I wouldn't discount the Lee REAL bullet in a 1-66 barrel.  My T-C Pennsylvania Hunter had that twist in .50 caliber and the REALs did very well out at 100 yards.  Like a fool I traded off for a shot-out Renegade in .54, and I've been cussing myself ever since.  I have the Lyman GPR now but don't like it nearly as much as the PA Hunter...

-Winter Hawk-

[Huntsman1]

I plan on using the Lee REAL boolits for whitetail next year out of my TC and PRB outta my Lyman.
I built the Lyman simply because its the closest resemblance to the originl Hawken, but the TC one just feels better.
I had an older Lyman GPR, I bought it used and it had that nice weathered worn look, I sold and too cuss myself for it. The one I built, which I put a nice `plum brown` on all steel parts, just don`t feel the same.
But either way, when the smoke belches outta the muzzle she sure satifies that nostalgic crave 

[necchi]

I sure do love that .54. A Renegade was my 1st ml back when,,

If you get a chance, find a Renegade and look across those sights,,They have a flat top slotted rear and a post front. Tey are a bit more freindly