Grandfather's TC Hawken hunt or keep nice?

[amcmullen]

So here is my dilemma. I got my grandfathers Hawken for my birthday. the gun was fired once (literally) and is in absolutely perfect condition. It is a low serial number 53,XXX. Basically he and my dad bought one back when pa opened up the late flintlock season. He fired it once, cleaned It and put it away never to be used.

I really want to take this gun hunting and get a deer with it, however, if it take it to camp it will inevitably become more "worn"...we hunt hard...

Not including sentimental value, does this gun have any real significant value that would be lost?

 

[amcmullen]

I will add that I do have a Traditions Hawken that I currently own, so it's not as thought hunting with the TC is my only option

 

[davescott]

guns are made to enjoy. to enjoy is to shoot.

make it a fair weather gun, take good care of it and it will take care of you.

And each time you hunt with it, you will be taking grandpa along too.

 

[azmntman]

Agree 100%. SHOOT IT! Its already been fired once so that value is gone. I would shoot it often and if real rough hunt take yer back up!

(this from a guy who bought his bosses .22 win centennial lever action and promptly shot 2-300 rounds. Sold back and was fired for shooting it! NP I was fired for farting, going elk hunting...NOT going duck hunting etc and he always hired me back!) :rotf:

 

[Rusty_Nail]

Take it hunting, maybe only nice weather without the hard hunting and drives, and enjoy thoughts of your Grandfather!

And thank him for for the assistance when you manage to harvest one! Each and every one to come! :thumbsup:

 

[Vaino]

My .50 cal. TC Hawken has been through it all since 1977 when the kit was assembled. At first it was my "squirrel rifle" and was accurate enough to head hit most of the squirrels that I aimed at. Then I built a .45 LR which then became my new squirrel LR and the TC Hawken then became my deer rifle and in fact shot deer w/ both a conical and PRB.

Truth being told....this is still my "favorite" MLer and has killed many elk, being the "camp loaner" for mainly first timers.

By all means...shoot it and experience the joys of a first class MLer......and it won't lose any value if properly cared for.....Fred

 

[kopfjaeger]

I say do both.

Take care of it, and take it out hunting every once in a while. :thumbsup:

 

[rr11]

I would have to say hunt it! I would feel I was hunting with my grandfather. :thumbsup:

 

[bpd303]

I wish I had my grandfathers .36 cal Ohio flintlock. I would be honored to take it into the woods to hunt with it. Unfortunately it went to my older brother and who knows where when he passed away.

 

[Zonie]

If your asking if shooting your TC would cause any loss of value to a collector, the answer is no.
TC's have a lot of fans but unless the gun is one of the "limited editions", one TC is about the same as any other TC assuming the guns are in equally good condition.

Usually, as with any muzzleloader, the flintlocks will bring a higher price but even this isn't worth worrying about. Go ahead and hunt with it.

I'm sure your grandfather's spirit will be with you and asking himself, "Now, why didn't I get off my rear and go hunting with that gun?" :grin:

 

[TerryK]

Use it, and thank your grandfather for every hunt.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Shoot and harvest deer with that beautiful rifle! I sure do wish I had my pap's old caplock he made from a kit first time I ever had deer as a kid was from that rifle! One of my older cousins unfortunately got it due to age when he passed. Makes me sick because he ended up selling her awhile back we found out for drug money... Burns me up. Anways, cherish and hold on to it! I'm sure your Grandfather will certainly send the deer your way! :hatsoff:

 

[Idaho Elk Hunter]

Might as well shoot it since it was shot before anyway. I have five TC muzzleloaders and two are "unfired condition" one a 1980s vintage Hawken and the other is a TC Custom Shop special edition Renegade that has 31 inch barrel and stamped on barrel is Roundball 1-66 Twist and I have not fired that one yet either due to special edition custom build. I also have 5 Pedersoli BP rifles with several of those still unfired and in box. Once I shoot it one time, then it is going to get shot a lot after that usually.
The thing with TC is no more new ones being built in any of the traditional lines anymore since S&W bought them out.

 

[Eric Krewson]

My dad was given a TC renegade kit at least 20 years ago, it stayed in his basement for years untouched.

He has said he wanted me to have it for the last 10 years but always backs out when I visit. He says he might get around to putting it together some day, he is 96 now.

Having built a few plank builds in the past, it would be a piece of cake for me to assemble.

If I do ever get the kit, a percussion rifle, I will put it together and go kill a deer with it, it needs to be used. I will then keep it as a loaner for non M/L friends.

After building some nice flintlocks, TC guns are not all that interesting to me, even though I have owned at least 5 during the first 30 years of my muzzleloading journey.

 

[Katahdin]

There is No question here,,,Take the rifle and go hunting,,,that is what rifles are for,, that was the original reason your Grandfather bought it ,,sight it in and take it for a woodswalk,,somewhere along the trail your Grandfather will join you,,in memories shinning time ,,,

 

[amcmullen]

Thanks guys! I am looking forward to taking It out. As far as naming the gun, I guess it has to be Angelina, HA!

Compared to my Traditions, I am impressed as to how well these were built. There is no space between the frizzen and pan for powder to escape (unlike the traditions that must be refilled due to lose) and there is no gap between the frizzen pan and barrel/ stock

Any good load recommendations? I will using FFg and hve PRB and Maxi-hunters at my current disposal.

Thanks!

 

[bpd303]

Good decision, you won't be disappointed. What caliber is it?

 

[amcmullen]

50 cal

 

[bpd303]

Although none of my 50 calibers are flintlocks, they all seem to like a .490 ball with a .015 ticking patch and 70 gr FFG Goex. I would start with about 55 gr and work up with 5gr increments for best accuracy.

 

[amcmullen]

Thanks, Ill give it a try this weekend. My traditions loves 65grains but it also has a slower twist. I am not sure if my patches are .015, they are standard store patches from cva and TC, probably older than I am and most of the lettering is worn off.

Regardless, It will be fun to find the "magic load". I am really looking forward to shooting Angelina.