Which kind of Hawken .54 to buy?
- Thread starter Mattole
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SUBMOAS
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T/C
Go find yourself a T/C. You won't be disappointed...
Go find yourself a T/C. You won't be disappointed...
rocklock
Member
My 2 cents
Never had a problem with TCs (own 2), no experience with Cabelas, heard nothing but good about Lyman. As a beginner, percussion ignition is probably the way to go, unless you have a mentor to guide you through the peculiarities of flints. If you look for a used TC, they are generally available for about half what a new one costs.
Never had a problem with TCs (own 2), no experience with Cabelas, heard nothing but good about Lyman. As a beginner, percussion ignition is probably the way to go, unless you have a mentor to guide you through the peculiarities of flints. If you look for a used TC, they are generally available for about half what a new one costs.
I would definitely recommend a Thompson Center. I agree with the idea of stating out with Percussion caps instead of flintlock. I own a couple T/C's and a couple CVA's. If you are limited on funds, you might want to look into purchasing a used CVA. They are really affordable.
P-32
Member
I enjoy my T/C Hawken in 54. I would also suggest using Triple Seven for powder.....cleans up much nicer and the wife won't complain about the rotten egg smell. My 54 also likes T/C bullets better than some of the others.
It depends on what you want in a rifle. If you want a Hawken type rifle that also looks some what like the real thing and shoots well try the Lyman. If you want one thats shoots well but is not a copy of anything try the TC. My self I shoot flints only long rifles.
SASS#23149
Member
my son has a t/c and it is a fine rifle.shoots accurately and is made very well.
Lymn rifles also have a great reputation.
I boght a 'cheap' hawken look-alike,and I'd almost give it away.The t/c is waaaaay more rifle than mine is.
remeber,I said 'almost'.
Lymn rifles also have a great reputation.
I boght a 'cheap' hawken look-alike,and I'd almost give it away.The t/c is waaaaay more rifle than mine is.
remeber,I said 'almost'.
motorcycle_dan
Member
.54 cal hawken for sale.
I agree with what the others have said. The Thompson Center is a wonderful firearm.
That said, I purchased a used Traditions .54cal Hawken replica. It is in pretty good condition. I'd take $125 for it. Comes with a bunch of .54cal sabot bullets. It shoots very well, I got it cleaned up and sighted in at 60 yards. If you are interested in it let me know. I'm in Ohio if it matters. The only reason I bought the gun is because I felt sorry for it and the previous owner really needed the cash.
Not the best deal but not bad for a good shooting wood stock gun.
If you want a good CHEAP gun, go to Wal-Mart and get a CVA bobcat for $49.95 hard to beat that price.
I agree with what the others have said. The Thompson Center is a wonderful firearm.
That said, I purchased a used Traditions .54cal Hawken replica. It is in pretty good condition. I'd take $125 for it. Comes with a bunch of .54cal sabot bullets. It shoots very well, I got it cleaned up and sighted in at 60 yards. If you are interested in it let me know. I'm in Ohio if it matters. The only reason I bought the gun is because I felt sorry for it and the previous owner really needed the cash.
Not the best deal but not bad for a good shooting wood stock gun.
If you want a good CHEAP gun, go to Wal-Mart and get a CVA bobcat for $49.95 hard to beat that price.
Starter52
Member
Get a Thompson/Center, even if you have to buy a used one. They are top quality and the factory sights are excellent.
Loyalist Dave
Member
I rate them in the following order, Lyman, T/C, (almost a tossup between the two) then the Cabella's, followed in the distance by CVA and Traditions. Flinters need a bit more quality in the locks than a caplock, and the locks are the key. The Lyman seems to be the best of the group when it comes to the lock, with some finishing attention paid to the working parts. I find the T/C to be a bit "clunky", with the pan to touchhole alignment a bit suspect, but they seem to spark well and to function. Cabella's orders from another company, that has to meet Cabella's specs, and the Blue Ridge Hunter (long rifle) is a good rifle for the money, and a better rifle than their plains rifle (imho).
Both the Lyman and the T/C have good warranties.
I find the sights on the T/C to be a bit gross, leaving too much room for error, but they can be easily retro fitted with a proper, thin silver front sight, and fixed rear sight. The T/C has a host of OTC replacement parts, drop in barrels, tang sights, scope mounting (in the newer models). BOTH the T/C and the Lyman can also be retro fit with lock upgrades by a reliable smith.
So perhaps your choice is one of appearance, and budget, between the Lyman and the T/C?
Ld
Both the Lyman and the T/C have good warranties.
I find the sights on the T/C to be a bit gross, leaving too much room for error, but they can be easily retro fitted with a proper, thin silver front sight, and fixed rear sight. The T/C has a host of OTC replacement parts, drop in barrels, tang sights, scope mounting (in the newer models). BOTH the T/C and the Lyman can also be retro fit with lock upgrades by a reliable smith.
So perhaps your choice is one of appearance, and budget, between the Lyman and the T/C?
Ld
Tbu61
Member
T/C for a beginner
As previously stated T/C makes a fine product. .54 has Plenty of punch!
If you aren't absolutely stuck on .54, there are plenty of .50's on the market.
.45's are a bit anemic
Percussion is probably better for a beginner.
Keep it clean!!! There are lots of products out there, but I found none better than Ivory Liquid soap and HOT water. Lots of elbow grease will ensure a clean barrel. Use a regular cleaning rod, (spare your ramrod). Also, ensure your cleaning rod swivels freely. Last thing you want is for the brush to get stuck in the barrel. Air dry thoroughly and run a LIGHTLY oiled patch. WD-40 works fine to deter rust.
tbu...
As previously stated T/C makes a fine product. .54 has Plenty of punch!
If you aren't absolutely stuck on .54, there are plenty of .50's on the market.
.45's are a bit anemic
Percussion is probably better for a beginner.
Keep it clean!!! There are lots of products out there, but I found none better than Ivory Liquid soap and HOT water. Lots of elbow grease will ensure a clean barrel. Use a regular cleaning rod, (spare your ramrod). Also, ensure your cleaning rod swivels freely. Last thing you want is for the brush to get stuck in the barrel. Air dry thoroughly and run a LIGHTLY oiled patch. WD-40 works fine to deter rust.
tbu...
Joe Demko
Member
I have three T/C muzzleloaders. All flintlock. They're great.
I'm a diehard Thompson fan and would send you that direction if for no other reason than their lifetime warrantee and super customer service. If money is tight however, the Cabelas and Dixie Hawken is made by Investarms. The same company that makes the wonderful Lyman guns. It's built to the same high quality standards and will easily shoot with Lyman or Thompson guns. Personally, I prefer the Investarms, but it, Lyman or Thompson are all great choices. Pick the one that fits you best.
sixgun MAK
Member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2006
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I went through the same thing several years ago. I was fortunate enough to try a few guns including the T/C. Hands down, the Lyman was the choice for me. I own both barrels so I shoot 425 grain Hornady conicals out of one, and patched round balls out of the other. This gun has been exposed to the harshest hunting elements that I have ever endured and this gun has never failed me.
All I hunt with are longbows and this gun. I intend to use this gun for the rest of my life.
All I hunt with are longbows and this gun. I intend to use this gun for the rest of my life.
ernierod
Member
54 Cal percussion Rifle
Did you check the classified in our forum??
Did you check the classified in our forum??
Stickjockey
Member
Another vote for the Lyman GPR, with TC coming a close second, mostly due to the more authentic look of the Lyman.
RockRifle
Member
Start Simple!
Dependability is a good thing! I would encourage any new BP shooter to start with a caplock of reputable manufacture and shoot it for at least a year before getting a flintlock. Find a club in your area... Go check out their shoots. If they are anything like my club, you will have the opportunity to shoot almost any gun there. See what feels good to you, and talk the members up about the sport. They are glad to help and eager to share the range with those interested.
Having said all this:
I found that I liked the feel of the Lyman Great Plains Rifle. I shot the caplock for a year, and was looking real hard for an Austin Halleck flinter when I found my Lyman Great Plains Flintlock at a Gun show. The Lymans are quality manufactured rifles that are the best of old and new- Good Hawken style and yet easy to disassemble and clean. I post competitive scores with both rifles, but the flint is my first choice. Both are .54 caliber, both are Lyman, and both still outshoot me!
Dependability is a good thing! I would encourage any new BP shooter to start with a caplock of reputable manufacture and shoot it for at least a year before getting a flintlock. Find a club in your area... Go check out their shoots. If they are anything like my club, you will have the opportunity to shoot almost any gun there. See what feels good to you, and talk the members up about the sport. They are glad to help and eager to share the range with those interested.
Having said all this:
I found that I liked the feel of the Lyman Great Plains Rifle. I shot the caplock for a year, and was looking real hard for an Austin Halleck flinter when I found my Lyman Great Plains Flintlock at a Gun show. The Lymans are quality manufactured rifles that are the best of old and new- Good Hawken style and yet easy to disassemble and clean. I post competitive scores with both rifles, but the flint is my first choice. Both are .54 caliber, both are Lyman, and both still outshoot me!
Thanks Very Much Everyone for Your Great Information
I ended up purchasing a near-mint left-handed Investarms .54 Hawken and various bp shooting accessories on Gunbroker for a great price. I have received it and it looks to be a very well-built rifle. Tomorrow if the rains let up I will get around to shooting it! I look forward to owning a Lyman GPR and a Thompson in the future - I especially like the look of the Lyman, which I understand is also built by Investarms. The big goal for my bp future is to own one of those amazing custom made plains rifles someday..
Happy holidays to you all.
I ended up purchasing a near-mint left-handed Investarms .54 Hawken and various bp shooting accessories on Gunbroker for a great price. I have received it and it looks to be a very well-built rifle. Tomorrow if the rains let up I will get around to shooting it! I look forward to owning a Lyman GPR and a Thompson in the future - I especially like the look of the Lyman, which I understand is also built by Investarms. The big goal for my bp future is to own one of those amazing custom made plains rifles someday..
Happy holidays to you all.
Last edited:
quigleysharps4570
Member
You'd like the Lyman. Pedersoli has a new Hawken out too that's really a shooter.
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