T/C Hawken?

[Nanook]

I'm eyeing up a T/C Hawken in .45 caliber. It's a cap lock from what I understand. Anyone have any dealings with one of these? It's in VG shape, the shop is asking $150 for it. Beautiful brass all over, looks like a nice gun.

 

[redneck]

I think the general consensus is that for the money they are very good rifles. Not custom quality (duh, not custom price either ), but accurate and reliable.
I have a friend that has a pair of TC Hawkens in .50 , percussion/caplock. They have taken lots of deer over the years and are still in good shape. They seem very happy with them.
I don't think its recommended but they even shoot them with pyrodex pellets/discs, and are getting good results. YMMV on that, I don't think I would mess with pyrodex pellets.

 

[RCL]

Sounds like a good deal on what is probably a good solid hunting rifle. The T/C Hawken guns usually came with a 1:48 twist barrel, meaning you could shoot patched ball or lead conical bullets and get good accuracy with either. Get the factory manual for load info, it's a good palce to start. I have a T/C Pennsylvania Hunter model (.50 cal.), it shoots patched ball very well with a load of 3FG balckpowder. For a hunting load, depending on your states regulations, I would try one of the Hornady Great Plains Bullets over a recomended charge of 3F, and see how it shoots. In my opinion the .45 cal. ball is a little on the lite side, but I like heavier bullets, and it is just my opinion.
Go for it! It'll be fun.

 

[Nanook]

Deer hunting is exactly what I have in mind for this if I get it. I was a little concerned about the caliber though, which is shared by RCL it seems. I'll keep checking around, but it looks like a good deal for my purposes.
I'm new to the black powder stuff, still feeling my way around. What's the reason behind not using Pyrodex? Too fast or too powerful?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Alex]

There fine rifles, but I wouldn't recommend hunting with roundball with a 45. Some do alright with it, but most people would say it's a bit light for deer in all but the most exacting circumstances. On the other hand, there are several excellent conical bullets made for hunting made in .45 caliber which will stabilize nicely in the T/C, any of these would work fine on deer up to 100 yards and perhaps a bit further. That sounds like an excellent price on the rifle if it is in good shape. I don't think you could go wrong buying it.

 

[RCL]

PoiDog, I've always liked shooting blackpowder in my guns, seemed to me I got better groups than I did with Pyrodex. I myself never noticed any difference in fouling between the two. Most load manuals will show similar velocities between the two powders. I also have a Knight in-line that I use Pyrodex pellets in (not recomended for guns with side breech ignition), and it shoots very well with them. My next gun will be a flintlock (some time this summer), and I will start out with black in that. Try both in your search for a load.
Cabela's catalog is showing the Hornady Great Plains Bullet in .45 cal. as weighing 285 grains, a good weight for a deer bullet. The .45 round ball weighs around 130 grains if I'm not mistaken.
Feel free to e-mail if you have any questions, I'm no expert but I've been at it a few years

 

[redneck]

Nothing wrong with pyrodex. Just not recommended to use the pellets in a side lock. Problems with ignition I think.

 

[sixgun_symphony]

It's a bargain at $150. Buy it before its gone.

The .45 caliber is fine for deer.


Pyrodex pellets? Yuck! You want the real gunpowder! Goex is good, but try that Swiss brand of blackpowder thats out there now.

 

[BigG]

Very solid piece. I have had two .50 flintlocks and they are really accurate also. You can shoot the maxiballs if you are concerned with stopping power for deer. They should cut a one hole group at 50 yds with the iron sights.

 

[Nanook]

I'm going to pick it up early next week. Good replies from those who know, thanks gents.
I kind of fell in love instantly, but wanted to mention it to people more experienced with black powder guns.