TC Hawken

Jetmech · Jul 15, 2024

PEARL DRUMS said:
Great rifles. I've dotted many an eyes with my .50 cal TC Hawken. It's perfect as of now. Zero misses and zero wounds. Enjoy your rifle.

Thanks all for the many responses about killing effectiveness, loads and how to improve the TC Hawken. It’s obvious the gun has a loyal following.
As soon as work allows I intend to shoot the rifle and then break it down for refinishing. I may reach out for advice of finishing products to use, I traditionally limit my options to True Oil, but maybe there is something better.

Thanks again,

Jeff

westrayer · Jul 17, 2024

I shoot RB. I tried the REAL bullets in both a Lyman and a T/C. Not impressed with either. In .50 I shoot 80 grains of FFFg as my "go-to" load". In .54, it was 90 grains of FFFg. Going heavier in charges, I lost group size and had more unburned powder.

ChuckJonesWagon · Jul 17, 2024

My T\C came from a kit in the late 70's. Since then I've replaced the factory barrel (my factor barrel was rather spotty on accuracy) with a Green MT barrel. I also got "tired" of looking at the factory trigger guard and triggers so I replaced them with HC. The gun is 50 cal. I've also reshaped the stock from the factory original.

I shoot Hornady Pa. Conicals because I don't have to fool with patches. 100gr FF powder gives me an average MV of 1,950fps as measured over my chronograph.

You will enjoy the rifle!!

ChuckJonesWagon · Jul 17, 2024

westrayer said:
I shoot RB. I tried the REAL bullets in both a Lyman and a T/C. Not impressed with either. In .50 I shoot 80 grains of FFFg as my "go-to" load". In .54, it was 90 grains of FFFg. Going heavier in charges, I lost group size and had more unburned powder.

As for projectile choice, because my left hand\arm has no where near the strength or control of my right I load and shoot conicals.

For my 50 cal I shoot Hornady's Pa. Conical and for my .54 Cal I shoot Mini's. Both of those projectiles have a cone shape hollow bottom that when shot, expands and grabs the barrel rifling very well.

Accuracy is superb with either rifle.

Here's my .54 cal, 5 shot group at 100 yards. I load 100gr FF for this. I've gone up to 110gr but it's not as accurate. This was off a bench of course.

Jetmech · Jul 18, 2024

PEARL DRUMS said:
Great rifles. I've dotted many an eyes with my .50 cal TC Hawken. It's perfect as of now. Zero misses and zero wounds. Enjoy your rifle.

I appreciate all the load info and advice on stock alterations from everyone.

I am looking forward to some range time and using this rifle in the deer stand this season.

Keep sending pics I enjoy looking at them.

Jeff

TNGhost · Jul 18, 2024

Not a TC but I have a CVA St. Louis Hawken in LH config that I have used with success on deer with a round ball.

longcruise · Jul 18, 2024

ChuckJonesWagon said:
As for projectile choice, because my left hand\arm has no where near the strength or control of my right I load and shoot conicals.

For my 50 cal I shoot Hornady's Pa. Conical and for my .54 Cal I shoot Mini's. Both of those projectiles have a cone shape hollow bottom that when shot, expands and grabs the barrel rifling very well.

Accuracy is superb with either rifle.

Here's my .54 cal, 5 shot group at 100 yards. I load 100gr FF for this. I've gone up to 110gr but it's not as accurate. This was off a bench of course.

That's a good group.

brushblind · Jul 18, 2024

Eric Krewson said:
I swore off TCs when the last one I bought new had the lock installed with hot melt glue from the factory because of a bad lock inlet, but they have a way to creep back into one's life so I now have 2, a stock .50 from a kit and a .54 with a GM barrel.

This was with the .50, round ball and 75 gr of 2F, I hit a little high at 75 yards, broke both shoulders, I had to run him down and put a finish in shot in his neck.

View attachment 333878

I wish GM would start making those TC replacement barrels again, very accurate and at one time, very affordable.

brushblind · Jul 18, 2024

I shoot mostly round ball for fun but for hunting the CVA 245 grain Aero Tip is more consistent than p.r.b. or maxi-hunter or the REAL bullet and performance on target has not been a problem. I shoot with a wiped bore every shot, no fowling shot and that's how I sight in. 1 in 48 twists has no problem stabilizing these bore size Power Belts. The Hornady PA bullets receive honorable mention. I'm not mentioning charges because I use a few different powders and I don't want to take away all your fun finding the perfect load for your rifle just remember more powder isn't always better.

Rifleman1776 · Jul 18, 2024

Eric Krewson said:
I swore off TCs when the last one I bought new had the lock installed with hot melt glue from the factory because of a bad lock inlet, but they have a way to creep back into one's life so I now have 2, a stock .50 from a kit and a .54 with a GM barrel.

This was with the .50, round ball and 75 gr of 2F, I hit a little high at 75 yards, broke both shoulders, I had to run him down and put a finish in shot in his neck.

View attachment 333878

Early TCs had many issues coming out of the factory. John Baird in his BUCSKIN REPORT magazine documented many of them.

Hermit Tim · Jul 18, 2024

Every deer I ever killed with a BP gun was a .50 round ball. Never had to shoot twice.

Jetmech · Jul 18, 2024

Hermit Tim said:
Every deer I ever killed with a BP gun was a .50 round ball. Never had to shoot twice.

What is the favored loading method in the deer woods, loading blocks with preluded patches or carrying loose balls and cutting patch at the muzzle?

Hermit Tim · Jul 18, 2024

Jetmech said:
What is the favored loading method in the deer woods, loading blocks with preluded patches or carrying loose balls and cutting patch at the muzzle?

I carry a loading block that hangs off the bag strap and holds three balls. I only carry loading blocks when hunting because it is much faster than loading from the bag in case you need a quick follow up. It's a good idea to unload the loading block from time to time or your balls tend to get funky. Loading from the bag and patch cutting is my preferred method when just out shooting.

morehops52 · Jul 19, 2024

I'm going in the other direction and recommending Maxi ball or other conicals. It just cuts down on variables,
hits more like a brick and is accurate to slightly longer ranges. All my t/C's and other 1:48 rifles shoot them very well.

Eric Krewson · Jul 19, 2024

The gun I bought new in the box was probably 20 years ago, not an early production, TC was still making them then. It had a touch hole that was so far back in the pan that you could barely see it. When I saw this, I sent it back to TC and they said they didn't see a problem with it, the old TC company would have replaced the gun with one made correctly. I sold that rifle and ordered another that came with the same touchhole location as well as the lock positioned in place with hot melt glue. This was right before SW bought the company, perhaps the workers knew they might get the axe just didn't care anymore.

Jetmech · Jul 19, 2024

Eric Krewson said:
The gun I bought new in the box was probably 20 years ago, not an early production, TC was still making them then. It had a touch hole that was so far back in the pan that you could barely see it. When I saw this, I sent it back to TC and they said they didn't see a problem with it, the old TC company would have replaced the gun with one made correctly. I sold that rifle and ordered another that came with the same touchhole location as well as the lock positioned in place with hot melt glue. This was right before SW bought the company, perhaps the workers knew they might get the axe just didn't care anymore.

Reading here about some of the safety/quality issues with the TC rifles I'd like to know more about the two I have. Is there a way to date a TC Hawken and Renegade from the serial number? Are there know manufacturing dates where safety of the rifles is a concern?

Both of mine seem well built but I do want to have confidence when pulling the trigger.

Jeff

flconch53 · Jul 19, 2024

Have

Jetmech said:
Reading here about some of the safety/quality issues with the TC rifles I'd like to know more about the two I have. Is there a way to date a TC Hawken and Renegade from the serial number? Are there know manufacturing dates where safety of the rifles is a concern?

Both of mine seem well built but I do want to have confidence when pulling the trigger.

Jeff

Have you shot the guns ? Did they hit what you're aiming at? Answered the question

Jetmech · Jul 19, 2024

flconch53 said:
Have

Have you shot the guns ? Did they hit what you're aiming at? Answered the question

I get that, proof's in the pudding.

But there is always more to learn and many of the members here have provide valuable, interesting information in their helpful replies.

flconch53 · Jul 19, 2024

Jetmech said:
I get that, proof's in the pudding.

But there is always more to learn and many of the members here have provide valuable, interesting information in their helpful replies.

The point is you shouldn't question your confidence about the guns at this point.

Duk · Jul 19, 2024

There is no records on t/c they had a fire not sure when maybe 1997 or so they said everything was lost

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