Don't Fit my TC Hawken

[Paul R]

I had the same problem until I designed & built my own custom thumbhole for my TC hawken. However,it really messes up the traditional look of a sidelock.
Changing the drop and height of the cheekpiece really do make a difference in shooting comfort.
Paul

 

[Rat Trapper]

I have a bunch of TC Hawken rifles and have no problems with the fit. Some people have never learned how to properly mount a gun to their shoulder. At our local trap and skeet range I commonly see people who place the butt of the gun out on the muscel of the arm rather than on their shoulder. They also do not place their head straight. Go find a mirror and practice mounting your rifle/shotgun. The mirror will tell you when you have your head straight. These two things will go a long way in helping, but if you still have problems then the stock needs work.

 

[Eric M]

I appreciate the advice, but it is not how I mount the rifle. I just needed more drop in the stock. If I mounted the rifle as you stated I believe my bicep would have taken a significant beating. I really have to jam my cheek into the stock, if the gun was properly fitted for me I would be able to shoulder the rifle with little adjustment and be aligned with my sights.

 

[Rifleman1776]

There used to be a fellow named Bob Tingle who made a really nice, albiet different half stock rifle. His 'cheek piece' was a concave and it fit most shooters quite nicely. Allowed one to really 'get down' and see the sights without strain. He also used a side-slapper 'mule ears' style lock. Best of all, his rifles were quality and very reasonable priced. Wish I had bought a couple when I could. They are treasures today.

 

[ebiggs1]

”¦ f you don't get beat up, fine. But don't project your lack of cheekbones onto others. Not everyone is built like you, or each other for that matter. ”¦

That was not my intent, just that it isn't the fault of the TC stock. Especially if other guns do the same. Lot's of stuff I don't understand, so this is just another.

 

[Maven]

Memphis1211, I owned (note the past tense) a T/C Cherokee and a T/C Hawken too and had the same problem with the stock as you. While both guns were accurate and easy to shoot from the bench, there wasn't enough drop in their stocks for me to shoot them offhand without craning my neck way over to the right in order to get a good sight picture. The Lyman Great Plains and Mowrey rifles, on the other hand, fit me perfectly and are just as accurate as the T/C's.

 

[Eric M]

I agree, I just bought a GPR and it fits me like a glove. No adjusting or anything needed. It shoulders perfectly.

 

[BrownBear]

I agree, I just bought a GPR and it fits me like a glove. No adjusting or anything needed. It shoulders perfectly.

I've been sorting through an interesting comparison over the last several months, involving my six 58 cal rifles alongside my GPR 54. Two are TC Big Boars, one is a standard TC Hawken with a GM drop-in barrel, one is a TC Hawken modified for a custom 1 1/8" x 15/16" tapered barrel, one is a GRRW Hawken with a 36" barrel tapered from 1 1/8" x 1", and the last is an early Investarms Hawken with a 28" x 15/16" barrel.

The Investarms looks at a glance like a Lyman Trade Rifle, but with a comb more akin to the GPR. Due to the thin, relatively short barrel, it's the lightest by far. Haven't weighed it yet, but it "feels" like it weighs close to a pound less than the 54 GPR. With moderate charge of 100 grains of 2f Goex it's also the hardest recoiling of the bunch, to the point that even with suitable retaining spring adjustments it will dislodge the ramrod about 3" with each shot. It really does move me, probably twice what I get with hot loads in my 54 cal GPR. But even with the hooked butt, it doesn't touch my cheek bone any more than the GPR 54. It feels about like shooting 3" 12-gauge slugs out of a pump gun.

Easiest to shoot is that GRRW Hawken, but you'd expect that at 12 pounds. It is comfortable to shoot with its favorite load of 140 grains of 2f, and is smoking flat.

The two Big Boars (one early and one late) are only half-nasty to shoot, due to the flat stock butts. I can drop the stock down further and keep my cheek off the comb if I'm paying attention. Both seem to like 110 grains of 2f Goex, so that's their load. They're a little heavier than the Investarms, so actually seem to recoil a little less even with the heavier charge.

Now we're down to the TC Hawkens. The one with the custom tapered barrel is almost as light as the Invetarms, but less muzzleheavy. I'm here to tell you that I have no clue how it shoots with more than 100 grains of powder. Ain't been there and ain't going there! :grin: Because of the hooked butt I can't slide the gun down lower to miss the comb with my cheek bone, and muzzle jump is large. It's dandy quick being so muzzle-light, but it's my short range quick-shooter with 80 grain charges. And that's pahlenty!!!! :shocked2:

The TC Hawken with the GM drop-in is at its most accurate with 120 grains of 2f, but dang. Even muzzleheavy, the barrel rise is such that I really get whacked with that load. I've settled on 100 grains as a compromise, but even then my cheek is too sore for more shooting after around 10 shots, and it stays sore for several days at that.

Sorry for the long blather, but I think it sezz lots about guns and fit. The GPR 54 is probably still my favorite gun to shoot, and even with a fair stack of 58's to draw from, I still carry it most often for deer.

 

[Maven]

Brown Bear, It seems to me that adding a receiver sight, either the Lyman #57 or T/C's, the T/C Hawken will not only improve the sight picture, but how you aim and shoulder it as well. I.e., it will force you to keep your head erect and away from the cheek piece.

 

[BrownBear]

Good feedback, and it's something I've worked with, Maven.

I have TC's on a couple of TC Hawkens and a 57 on another. Problem is, the standard TC front sight is .500", and with no other change the receiver sight has to be raised really high to work with it. You're right at the last thread on the TC sight with it, and for security you have to make the situation worse by going to a .290 (or so) front sight height. I'm betting I'd have to go to a .750 or higher front sight at least, and maybe more, which would really crank up the receiver sight way beyond the reach of the TC, and maybe even the 57.

It would work with an old Winchester or Marble tang sight however, I bet. Come to think of it I have a dozen or so in a drawer, and maybe one would fit without drilling and tapping. Hmmmm.

Now you have the wheels churning again....

Doggone your hide anyway!!!! :rotf:

 

[Rat Trapper]

The TC Hawken rifles fit me just fine! I do not get smacked in the face at all. I have run some pretty hot loads thru my 50 & 54's with conicals. while those loads to push pretty hard on the shoulder, they don't hurt me in the face.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I too get my face slapped by a T/C Hawken stock but my Penn Hunter and New Englander don't seem to be a problem even though they are considerably lighter and actually kick more as felt on the shoulder. I've had the same problem with the Lyman Trade Rifle also.

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

I had a TC Hawken long time ago and I had no problems shooting it. Even with heavy loads. But when I had my shotguns made for me to shoot Olympic trap and competed with them no one else could shoot my shotguns. And I am talking about world champions and Olympic gold medal shooters. All of these shooters knew how to mount a shotgun. So, its not lack of knowledge it is gun fit. I have high cheek bones and I shoot a high comb comfortably.