Been out of shooting BP fer about 30 years, was into it big time fer about 25 years went to a lot of ROUNDYS, I see that the Thompson Centers are still popular, years ago they were not known to shoot center have they improved on them in the past several years?
Thompon Center Rifles?
- Thread starter oldcoot
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brewer12345
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Haven't been made in many years
.308 Norma
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I'm not exactly understanding, oldcoot. The only muzzle-loader I've ever had is the Thompson Center "Hawkins" I built from a kit well over 40 years ago, and it "shoots center." Are the Thompson Centers that don't "shoot center" (whatever that means) older than 40+ years?
Ironhand54
Member
The quality of a old TC is still way better than many of the current inports in that price range.
As to accuracy, feed them the right loads and they shoot just fine. Unless you're shooting state level matches you should be fine.
IronHand
As to accuracy, feed them the right loads and they shoot just fine. Unless you're shooting state level matches you should be fine.
IronHand
hawg
Member
I've never heard of anybody saying a TC didn't shoot straight. S&W bought out TC in 07 and ceased production of the sidelocks in 2012.
noelf2
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I have shot several T/C Hawken rifles (all were 50 cal.) and all shot best with 80gr ff and a patched round ball. Dead freaking accurate! I suppose a lot of folks just dumped 100gr of powder in there (or whatever amount poured out of their horn that looked about right) and never had much accuracy. They gave up and said they don't "shoot center" or something. You have to play with the powder charge. When you get it right, it'll be your best friend.
Malachi Leviticus Blue
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Thompson Center still makes very accurate muzzleloaders.
All there current offerings utilize inline ignitions.
All there current offerings utilize inline ignitions.
Electrod47
Member
My T/C 50 Cal "New Englander" made about 1993 just got a face lift and a new barrel, just for fun. I couldn't believe my luck when I purchased the barrel from Track of the Wolf. Though not advertised as such was brand new and unfired from same serial number group as my original. I had the opportunity to inspect that barrel closely. Having dabbled in other "massed" produced side locks I thought the "massed" produced T/C from 1993 resembled a custom built barrel. Absolutely no tool mark. I shoot a lot of PRB and can atest to Noelf2 comment about 80gr ffg comments. I know its not going to happen, but I wish they would offer (T/C) another sidelock with all the CNC manufacturing methods they have today.
woodnbow
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I’ve always been impressed with the quality of the TC’s I’ve owned. Very well built and were it not for that damn fire I’m sure they’d be building some version of a sidelock today.
WRT the initial post… ah reckon mah tc’s hev shot plumb center fer me. Most of um wuz finer’n frog fuzz split four ways!
WRT the initial post… ah reckon mah tc’s hev shot plumb center fer me. Most of um wuz finer’n frog fuzz split four ways!
BullRunBear
Member
I have two T/C Renegades, both from the 1980s, one in 50 and the other in 54, along with drop-in barrels for them. All shoot better than I can. They've always been tough, utterly reliable, and accurate with moderate loads. (This is all for targets, not hunting.) I believe T/C dropped their sidelock guns about ten years ago. Since I have no interest in in-line muzzleloaders and my Contenders are all first generation, I don't know what their quality is like today.
Jeff
Jeff
I have had three Hawkens by TC, A couple Renegades and one G2. From the around '70 til a few years back. All were very accurate. Not as accurate, however, as the guns I built with G R Douglass and Wm Large deep groove barrels and appropriate round ball twists. Never messed with slugs other than with muskets. I'm assuming a Roundy is a rondezvous?
noelf2
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That's my guess. oldcoot only seems to be a bit active here once every 9 or 10 months, so we might not know for quite some time...
noelf2
Member
And s&w is dropping the t/c brand now. Selling it off I guess. Hopefully a good company acquires it.
Unfortunately, the last I read was that no one has shown any interest. Wish I was 20 years younger and had backers. There is still a lot of interest in Contenders, Encores, inlines, and, I'd bet with better ergonomics and barrels, the Hawken. I'd get rid of the patch box, sub iron for brass and use a 1 in 66 deep groove barrel.
(BTW, I still have a Renegade, three Contenders (two carbines) and a Patriot)). Just missed a TCR.
I have been very fond of the T/C Hawken for many years and still look for them on the used racks. I have refurbished a couple of them. They are good shooters. I also like my Omega with the silver finish and synthetic thumbhole stock. I hope some god company buys them and restarts production.
brewer12345
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I can't see TC ever restarting production. The big seller these days is inlines. So caplocks and flintlocks are a specialty market and unless someone wanted just the brand name under which to make sidelocks, I think the brand name is defunct.
hawg
Member
S&W has sold Thompson Center but I haven't found who they sold it to.
Malachi Leviticus Blue
Member
S&W announced in the spring that they intended to sell Thompson Center.
Could be they found an interested buyer, but it must not be a done deal yet.
If it was it sealed , there wouldn't be any reason to keep it a secret.
It will be interesting to see, but likely won't be all that exciting of a story.
Could be they found an interested buyer, but it must not be a done deal yet.
If it was it sealed , there wouldn't be any reason to keep it a secret.
It will be interesting to see, but likely won't be all that exciting of a story.
noelf2
Member
Probably Traditions or CVA... That would seal the fate of T/C...
hawg
Member
Traditions and CVA are importers. I don't see them getting into manufacturing altho it is possible.
noelf2
Member
Who said anything about manufacturing? Buy it and kill it. S&W could just kill it, but why not get something for it by throwing it to the competition for them to kill it?
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