Desirable T/C Models

[Rawhide67]

I guess most desirable and most difficult to find are 2 different things. The Big Boar is like finding a needle in a haystack in my area. Cherokees aren't easy in any caliber.

Hawkens and Renegades come up at auctions a couple times per year. Then it's just a matter of condition.

 

[vintovka]

1 TC patriot in .36,
2 TC Patriot in .45
3 Seneca in .36
4 Seneca in .45
5 Any other TC in .36

Above all a NE 12 gauge!!!

It is an alarming thing that just a TC lock or 12 G NE barrel costs more than what i paid for the whole gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Prairieofthedog]

Come on, you all know it is the .58 Big Boar or a .58 Hawken.

 

[Malamute]

I liked the Hawken model, I had one as a kid in the 70s, but the past few years ive come to appreciate non-crescent butt stocks more, and the brass doesnt appeal as much as iron/steel parts. When I recently jumped back in, I tried a Hawken, and a Renegade. I have to say I like the renegade more now. It required a little adjustment to the comb to be able get on the sights comfortably, but it wasnt much rasping to get it there.

That is my opinion. Whats desirable on the market, I dont know.

 

[vintovka]

Come on, you all know it is the .58 Big Boar or a .58 Hawken.

Not sure about that. Around here a .45 Seneca is in demand due to its light weight. The .58 Hawken is rare but no comparison due to powder consumption and weight. BTW the lightest of the hunting .58 ML IMHO is the .58 H&R Stalker. The latter is light but recoil is stout!!!

 

[vintovka]

I started with a .45 TC Hawken. It was ok but never liked the look of the 28" Barrel and single wedge. Sold all my factory TC Hawkens but have one with a custom .50 Green mountain barrel. BTW i think TC's "lifetime guarantee" is about over (if not dead). S&W took over warranty Many are suffering from lock and trigger issues so heads up. The Lyman GPR is pretty much taken over TC's spot now.

 

[rusticbob]

Plane Jane .54 Renegade is my choice. Not the most expensive, but as a nice shooting, nice easy to carry “hunting rifle”, it would be my first choice.

 

[LAD]

In your opinion what is the most desirable model of Thompson Center traditional muzzleloader?
[/QUOTE
my favorite is the Hawken 56 smooth bore. Great fun being able to use shot as well as ball.

 

[Larry P]

I love my 36 cal Seneca rifle and my Renegade 54. I have two Patriots I'll keep until I leave this planet.

 

[Dale Lilly]

I love the TC Hawken .45 that my wife bought me. It is a kit build with great workmanship, beautiful wood and in near perfect condition . But I have an unusual problem: Betty [Li'l Sparrow] does not want me to sell my guns. I am pushing 90 can no longer hunt so figure 20 + BP guns is foolish. I sold one, gave six away still have 28. Oh, and I am building one. Yikes! I am tickled pink that she wants me to keep them all, but logic says sell 'em. Polecat.

 

[Notchy Bob]

I love the TC Hawken .45 that my wife bought me. It is a kit build with great workmanship, beautiful wood and in near perfect condition . But I have an unusual problem: Betty [Li'l Sparrow] does not want me to sell my guns. I am pushing 90 can no longer hunt so figure 20 + BP guns is foolish. I sold one, gave six away still have 28. Oh, and I am building one. Yikes! I am tickled pink that she wants me to keep them all, but logic says sell 'em. Polecat.

Dale, one thing I've learned after 41 years with the same gal is that a fellow should always listen to his wife! As they say, "A happy wife is a happy life!" If the lady wants you to keep them, that's the thing to do.

As for the question posed in the original post, there may not be a single, definite answer, but as we have seen, there are a lot of opinions. For me, the two most desirable T/C firearms would be the Seneca and the Cleland match rifle. I'm lucky enough to own a Seneca in .45 caliber, but the Cleland continues to elude me.

The Seneca is not just a scaled-down Hawken. The Seneca is in fact smaller and lighter than the T/C Hawken, and available in smaller calibers, but it is more refined and infinitely more graceful. The nosecap and trigger guard on the Seneca "flow" better with the lines of the stock. The hammer and snail are both more aesthetically pleasing. However, the Seneca is also a shooter. It gives up nothing to the Hawken in handling or "shootability."

I've never actually handled a Cleland match rifle. I understand these were only produced in small quantities, but the concept behind this rifle's design is a good one... Give people a practical, range-ready, dedicated target and match rifle at a reasonable price.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[Dale Lilly]

Dale, one thing I've learned after 41 years with the same gal is that a fellow should always listen to his wife! As they say, "A happy wife is a happy life!" If the lady wants you to keep them, that's the thing to do.

As for the question posed in the original post, there may not be a single, definite answer, but as we have seen, there are a lot of opinions. For me, the two most desirable T/C firearms would be the Seneca and the Cleland match rifle. I'm lucky enough to own a Seneca in .45 caliber, but the Cleland continues to elude me.

The Seneca is not just a scaled-down Hawken. The Seneca is in fact smaller and lighter than the T/C Hawken, and available in smaller calibers, but it is more refined and infinitely more graceful. The nosecap and trigger guard on the Seneca "flow" better with the lines of the stock. The hammer and snail are both more aesthetically pleasing. However, the Seneca is also a shooter. It gives up nothing to the Hawken in handling or "shootability."

I've never actually handled a Cleland match rifle. I understand these were only produced in small quantities, but the concept behind this rifle's design is a good one... Give people a practical, range-ready, dedicated target and match rifle at a reasonable price.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

Notchy Bob. I handled a Seneca once .... sweet little machine. Dale

 

[good ole boy]

Here in Pa.the Seneca and the Cherokee don,t have much interest.We have a .45 cal in rifle minimum and a .50 cal min.for large game in a pistol.Only a rock lock is permitted in our treasured late season.Except for squirrels the Seneca and Cherokee can,t be used in Pa. unless you include g/hogs.

 

[necchi]

Plane Jane .54 Renegade is my choice. Not the most expensive, but as a nice shooting, nice easy to carry “hunting rifle”, it would be my first choice.

Gotta agree with that! The Renegade in 54 was my first bp rifle and will always have a place in my heart.
To the OP;
What's to be considered desirable?
Appearance, Rarity,/Collectable, Affordability, Availability or Fit and Function?
The Hawken frame styles and the Renegade frame styles have a completely different fit. The drop in comb and comb shapes are different.
I'm 5'-7", 195, broad in the shoulder with a short reach, my friend is a 5'-11" lean bean pole who's knuckles hang by his knees!
(God bless his lanky soul!)
I cain't shoot them Hawken rifles with comfort for hoot, them darn cheek slappin things just don't fit me at all,, and I've tried'm for years.
The Renegade frames fit me, almost naturally, they're easy to hold and I can shoot all day.
I like the 1" barrels that are capable of larger bores. Any tiny amount of extra weight up front is no problem for me.
I don't dislike the Hawkens, but I will always sing praises to the Renegade.

 

[Old Timer 48]

I love my TC Hawken! It throws a mean maxi-ball!

 

[dragnetbill]

I love the TC Hawken .45 that my wife bought me. It is a kit build with great workmanship, beautiful wood and in near perfect condition . But I have an unusual problem: Betty [Li'l Sparrow] does not want me to sell my guns. I am pushing 90 can no longer hunt so figure 20 + BP guns is foolish. I sold one, gave six away still have 28. Oh, and I am building one. Yikes! I am tickled pink that she wants me to keep them all, but logic says sell 'em. Polecat.

Be careful Dale; I've got a friend who told his wife once about how he thought that she should go about selling off his collection if he "crossed over"; she told him that she would never sell his guns; he too was tickled until she followed up with, "I'll use them to get another man."
But, all is well; so far there is no sign that she has started early.

As to the OP, I've still have strong affection for a nice Seneca.

 

[nit wit]

Senneca, .36, Cherokee .32 and Patriot .36
Nit Wit

 

[Dale Lilly]

Be careful Dale; I've got a friend who told his wife once about how he thought that she should go about selling off his collection if he "crossed over"; she told him that she would never sell his guns; he too was tickled until she followed up with, "I'll use them to get another man."
But, all is well; so far there is no sign that she has started early.

As to the OP, I've still have strong affection for a nice Seneca.

Well... she will soon be 82 ... I wish her the best of luck. Polecat

 

[necchi]

Well... she will soon be 82 ... I wish her the best of luck. Polecat

,, Can you provide a listing of his collection?

 

[Dale Lilly]

,, Can you provide a listing of his collection?

Are you asking me [or my lovely wife] to list my entire collection? Just model or a complete description of each? Wow! That will take a 'bunch' of space and I don't think many folks will be interested. That is especially true because we have no intention of selling ... well, maybe a CVA Mountain Pistol that has a crack through the stock at the lock bolt. [or are you asking about the lady dragonet bill was talking about ? ]
Dale