Best Hawken 50cal for beginner

[Rattler]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and black powder. I've always wanted a Hawken 50 cal percussion rifle and have finally decided to purchase one. I would appreciate everyone's thoughts on the different brands and what I should spend. I like the T/C but they stopped making them and being a newbe, I do not want to end up buying someone's junk. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

Best affordable "hawken" you can get IMO is the old CVA Hawken. Lots of new old stock parts left over, including barrels. I've built up 13 of them so far, most of them sold off, but the 2 we still have are extremely accurate shooters.

Mine runs a 32" cva mountain rifle barrel in .58cal.

 

[will5a1]

Welcome to the forum, and the sport. Before you buy any rifle try to handle one first, see if it fits you, ideally try to find a local club and show up, show interest and I bet you will have the opportunity to fire some different rifles.

The Lyman GPR fits me better than a T-C Hawken, I prefer the GPR's 1-60 twist and deeper grooves, the 32" barrel over the T-C's 28", 1-48" twist with shallower grooves. I think the Lyman just looks better too, but T-C's are good rifles and many prefer them. There are other brands out there but these two are commonly available and I think you can find either in nice condition, used, for $300 - $400.

 

[Rattler]

Thanks guys. I should add that I'm more into targeting shooting than hunting.

 

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

I'd go round ball then. A lot easier on recoil and super cheap, especially when you cast your own.

 

[mooman76]

A little more info would also help. Your price range, are you planning on target shooting for competition or just your own satisfaction and do you prefer new or good used one.

 

[Rattler]

My use will be target shooting for my own enjoyment. I would prefer new or else a real good used one. Being a newbe I do not have the knowledge to know if a barrel is in good condition or not. Price range up to $400 for used or $650 for new.

 

[mooman76]

If you are looking around for used you can get a small bore light to drop down the barrel. They also make a small bobber light for night fishing. If you get one you can drop it down the barrel or a small nickel plated shell casing will reflect a flashlight pretty good. Look for smooth barrel insides, nice and shiny. When I look generally if the outside of the gun doesn't look good, I figure they didn't take care of the insides either. Look at the for sale section here. We get quite a few for sale. Good luck

 

[TNGhost]

Used market, I'll second the CVA. Just make sure you get a good bore. Check, as advised already. Easy to tell if its clean, if dirty pass. For the money it don't get any better.

If you want something new starting out, I'd go with a Lyman Great Plains or Trade Rifle, whichever trips your trigger.

 

[tenngun]

You may want to look on the pedersoli web sight, or traditions web sight. Or a dealer like Jedediah star web site. Since your not hunting with it you may find a .45 to be cheaper to shoot and meet all your needs. Hawkin was a gun maker and many of today's Hawkins are a might removed from the old guns. Many of the guns they offer give you the look of an old gun and a good quality for the money. They offer sporty guns like the tc in your price range and several other types like full stocked arms from .32 to .50 some up to .54

 

[azmntman]

Guns International (Home town guns(?) has alot and I have had exellent luck buying from them. Get into a used CVA .50 and dont look back. Course we gotta warn you, 5-10 years you'll be buying yer 2nd (or 3rd) gun case cuz this is an addict type sport.

Welcome to BTW.

Also look into getting the Dutch Shultz system. best $$ you'll spend getting in new. Just read a few threads or search and he' will pop up. SUPER good info and you can call him too with questions. Course you could spend 70 years learning all he did and do it that way?

 

[slumlord44]

CVA is the best bang for the buck. Thompson is good. Not mentioned is the Browning. They are available in used shooter grade, not new in the box, in your price range. A good new gun will probably be above your price range. Also look at a CVA Mountain Rifle. A little higher than a Hawken but some say closer to an original. A bore light will tell you if the bore is ok.

 

[Jim C]

I bought a new Lyman GPR in 50 cal 15 yrs ago and have been shooting squirrels in the head with it ever since and haven't looked back. I paid $335 back then, but it'll cost you $500 today.
Imo they are the best looking/most authentic Hawken copy of all available mass produced "Hawken" rifles, and are one helluva straight shooter to boot.

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/555/1/AAP-668

track of the wolf. tc hawken .54 $425

never owned a lyman, I have an old tc hawken I love


welcome aboard. no turning back now :grin:


also, I remember Walmart selling them a few years back, none of them seemed liked fast sellers, might want to go on a calling campaign to Walmart to see if you can track one down

 

[Don Steele]

I like 50 caliber. I have 4 of them at the moment.
That said, IF you really don't anticipate hunting large game with this FIRST rifle..( there will likely be more, but everybody has to start somewhere..!! :grin: )
I'd suggest a .45 caliber. I actually prefer 40 cal for target, but there aren't many of those around in starter rifles in your price range. Be patient, get with the closest bunch of BP shooters to you,try a few different rifles, let them know you're looking, and you may be surprised at what comes out of the woodwork. :thumbsup:

 

[Rat Trapper]

I would recommend looking for a good used Tc Hawken. Since you are just going to shoot paper I'd look for a 45 if you can find one. Less recoil with the 45 and used less lead too. If I found a nice 50 or 54 at the right price I'd take it. I have bought lots of stuff here and never had a problem.

 

[necchi]

It looks like your in Tennessee, that part of the country has a lot of used Ml's available.
About the only issue with any used ML is the condition of the bore, left un-cleaned or not clean properly a rifle bore will rust quickly and the gun in the hands of a novice is worthless.

However, if the bore is clean and shiny, there is little more that can go wrong with these things that the members here can't help you overcome or repair cheaply.
So I'd suggest checking local Pawn shops, private sales, the list with craigs name,,, and at least see if there's anything that catches your fancy.
You'll need some kind of light to look down the bore. They make a "bore light" for around $10-12, or you can use a small "bobber light" made for night fishing with bobbers, they're small enough to drop down the bore and usually $3-4 at a sporting goods store.
You might be able to find an old CVA, Traditions Arms or T/C for $200 or less with a clean bore and have a decent starter rifle.
If you find one, come back here and describe it's condition and we'll help ya.

 

[Billnpatti]

:metoo: on the Lyman GPR. That is one fine rifle but look for the lower serial numbers. I don't know from personal experience if the newer ones are less than perfect but that is the story that is going around. I have owned two of them, a caplock and a flintlock and both were extremely nice guns....but both had low serial numbers.

 

[BigAl52]

http://www.thegunworks.com

If you check at this site under used production guns they have CVA Thompson and many more in used condition. I have not ever bought from them but I have talked to them on the phone. Customer satisfaction is there number one priority. They have been in business along time and offer a 3 day inspection on all there used guns. They also completely go thru a used gun to make sure there in working order. There prices are a little higher but I don't think they would be bad to at least take a look at. Al

 

[Rattler]

I really appreciate all the responses.I can see that I have a lot of homework to do before jumping at the first rifle I find. Two people have suggested that I go with a 45 cal rather than a 50 cal. Would I be buying something that would be harder to sell if for some reason I decided that I did not enjoy shooting black powder?