First "REAL" BP rifle

[B2crawler]

This is actually the second BP rifle I've owned, but the first was a 99.00 junker from Cabelas.  Wasn't impressed in the least in quality or how it shot.  Never could get anything even close to a group.  This is the only gun I've ever thrown in the trash.  Really, put it in the trash and let the garbage man take it to where it belonged.  The Dump.

Now I've traded for a "REAL" BP rifle.  I traded my NEF handi rifle in .223 for a Thompson Center 50 cal Hawken in great shape except I need to replace a broken screw in the patch holder.  WoW!!!  Night and day difference from this gun and the one I threw in the trash.  First time at the range and only load I tried could put half a dozen balls into a four inch circle at 50 yards.  I used 65 grains of hodgdon pyrodex, Hornady .490 ball and mystery prelubed patches from the trashed BP rifle.  Sure this will only get better with some practice and load development.

Going to play with this gun over the winter and next deer season these Colorado Mule deer better watch out.  Might even see if it shoots conicals and take it elk hunting.

[simonkenton]

I really like the TC Hawken.
Some of the hard core guys will tell you it is not a replica of an 1845 St. Louis Hawken.
That doesn't bother me, it is a good looking muzzleloader, rugged and reliable, and American Made.

I have killed lots of deer and wild hogs with mine!

You can tighten that group up quite a bit, they are great rifles!
Good hunting with your TC Hawken!

[Ladobe]

I got my first TC Hawken 50 soon after they came out for mule deer and a 54 a couple of years later for elk hunting.   They may not be PC, but they are very shootable and very reliable rifles.   

I bought my 54 for elk, but the 50 is enough with a well placed RB.   FWIW, a RB will do a better job of killing your elk than a maxi will.

Now that your shooting as you say "a real BP rifle", keep it traditional and shoot real BP and RB's in it.   Most fun you can have with them.   



 

[B2crawler]

I'm surprised and happy that it's American made.  It looks identical to a friend who has a Cabela's version that is stamped Spain.  I figured TC just bought Spanish made guns and put their name on it.

Believe me my wallet couldn't afford to have fun shooting conicals.  So black and balls it will be.  Seems like casting balls would be the easiest projectile of all to cast.  Might get a mold and give that a try.

Anyone know aprox. what velocity these BP guns shoot with a given charge with patch and ball?

[DanChamberlain]

Owned a few TC Hawkens and Renegades.  They are "In The Spirit" of traditional muzzleloading and as such are wonderful guns in their own right.  They are lovely, well made and have all the form and function a person needs to experience the traditional trail. 

I no longer own any of them...but one is still in the family and providing service.  I'd recommend TC to anyone.

Dan

[simonkenton]

You got it backwards on the relationship between the TC and the Spanish cheapos.
The TC was the first mass-produced Hawken style rifle.
My buddy bought one in 1973!
The modern muzzleloading renaissance was in its infancy, in most states there was not a special muzzleloading season.
I bought my TC in 1980.

As the muzzleloading boom hit, the TC Hawken was at the forefront. It was probably the biggest selling muzzleloader out there.
Everybody liked it for its looks, accuracy, and ease of cleaning.
So everybody started copying the TC Hawken, ie, Cabelas, Traditions etc.

I have seen the TC Hawken called "The most-copied muzzleloader in history."

[coyotejoe]

I agree with you "simonkenton" except that the T/C is in no way a "Hawken style rifle", it is strictly a Thompson/Center style rifle. I have nothing against T/C, I own several, but I have always objected to their appropriating the Hawken name and applying it to a product which bears not the slightest resemblance to a Hawken rifle.

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Threw a gun in the trash.  That's funny!

Aside from the fact that it was probably worth it just because it felt good to trash the sucker, you might have been able to turn a profit on the thing.

Just abuse the heck out of it.  Drop it from the roof onto the driveway a couple times.  Set it in the backyard and whizz on it every day (that might have made ya feel better).  Stick it in the campfire to char the wood a bit.  Put a few wraps of rawhide 'round the wrist, pound a few furniture tacks into it to make it look "Indiany".  Then sell it to some rich coot who's itching to spend $300 to decorate their fireplace.

[Casull]

FWIW, a RB will do a better job of killing your elk than a maxi will.

I think I'd rather hit an elk with a 370 grain maxi than a 180 grain RB any day.   

[Casull]

except that the T/C is in no way a "Hawken style rifle", it is strictly a Thompson/Center style rifle.

Let's see:  half stock; double set triggers; octagon barrel; curved butt plate; large bore; side lock percussion.  No, it's not a copy of a Hawken, but sure sounds like a Hawken "style" rifle.

[Semisane]

except that the T/C is in no way a "Hawken style rifle", it is strictly a Thompson/Center style rifle.

Let's see:  half stock; double set triggers; octagon barrel; curved butt plate; large bore; side lock percussion.  No, it's not a copy of a Hawken, but sure sounds like a Hawken "style" rifle.

Sounds about right to me!   

[S.S.]

Ithaca actually produced the first true Hawken replica.
TC was actually a late comer, Dixie Gun Works started
the production of a 40 caliber squirrel rifle in 1956.
Hacker Martin was making them in the 1930's though.