Is T/C Hawken worth the premium?

[cuban8mia]

Hi everyone, although I've done my share of inline shooting/hunting, lately I am becoming increasingly interested in traditional and plan to purshase my first trad rifle very soon. My question is simple: is the T/C Hawken worth the extra $300 or so difference in price over the Lyman Trade Rifle. And if so, what accounts for the higher price? Bottom line, does one get about twice the workmanship/performance for twice the price? I am aware of T/C's excellent customer service, though. Thanks in advance for your help...

 

[GreyWhiskers]

Hatchet, welcome to the ML Forum. I purchased my TC Hawken in 1976. Still shooting it on a regular basis and have had no parts breakage. The forum is full of posative feedback on TC's customer service.

I didn't realize they were $300 more than the GPRs. :hmm: Still I wouldn't trade mine for the Lyman. GW

 

[Sunday Mule]

I have the same question? I am currently in the market for a Hawken and I am down to the T/C or the Lyman. Any recomendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sunday Mule

 

[cuban8mia]

Thanks for your reply, Whiskers. They are actually about $300 more than the Trade Rifle and about $200 more than the GPR. In any case, I usually don't have a problem paying for better quality, but it's just the big difference in price that intrigues me, specially since I know that Lyman also makes a fine rifle. Actually, I have also thought of the GPH since I plan to mostly use conicals for both paper and hunting and I believe the rifling would better suit my needs....

 

[jtmattison]

The T/C Hawken is a fine rifle made in the USA with a lifetime warranty. However, for looks, fit, and shootability with traditional patched roundball I would take the Lyman GPR. The Lyman Trade Rifle is as close to a T/C Hawken as you will find and they are great shooters. I have all of the rifles mentioned but by far prefer my GPR's.

HD

 

[smokehouseman]

Welcome to the forum! I own two Lyman and more than two and less than six Thompson /Center guns. I enjoy shooting both brands but once the dust settles my pick would probably be the T/C. My most recent purchase was a T/C Big Boar. What I like about T/C is of course the generous warranty and versatility of the T/C with the 1" across the flats. I like being able to switch between a .54 up a .62 caliber in my case as well as double and single set trigger options. IMHO I believe you can pick up some very nice hardly used rifles without breaking the bank to wit purchases my hunting pards and I have recently made. You'll soon find out if you already don't know that this forum has strong advocates for both brands as well as other brands and the input should hopefully be helpful in making MZ choice decisions. Good luck :thumbsup: !

 

[swedepie]

Which one fits you the best? If you buy cheaper or more pricey, you won't be happy with it if it don't feel right. Might consider a custom build and then you will be happy. Play with them and handle them then decide. Mac.

 

[cuban8mia]

Thanks a bunch, guys. I'll let you all know what I finally get as soon I figure how to get another rifle past the Mrs...Hopefully very soon.

 

[rafterob]

Mine stay out in the garage so they never have to pass the Mrs. :wink:

 

[cowpoke1955]

I'd have to vote for the Lyman GPR, or in your case, the GPH. I've had my .54 GPR percussion for almost 30 years with no problem. A few years back, my wife bought me a .54 GPR flint kit. They are very accurate to 100 yards with round balls. I picked up a .54 T/C Hawkens from one of the auction sites for $200. It is a good rifle, but I feel the GPR is equal in quality and much better looking. If you get a GPH and want to switch to round balls, just get a spare GPR barrel. Welcome to the forum. Good luck with your choice and your wife :rotf:

 

[PA16th]

I had the same choice to make when I started into muzzeloading. My choices were between the same two rifles. I found a very good condition TC Hawkin for $250, which I purchased.I have had no problems with it and saved some $$. Wish some day to get a Lyman GPR. Rate of twist is a consideration. The TC is 1:48 and the GPR is 1:66 I think.
Either rifle get good reviews.

 

[rabjr]

No...

 

[Robert an saa fan]

Also important, I think, with these two is how the rifle feels and looks to you. Does it "speak" to you; does it just feel and handle right?

Your profile does not say where you are but I would suggest if you have gun shows in your area go to some shows. You can often get some great deals on used muzzleloaders there.

At a recent gunshow I attended an as new factory finished .54 T/C Hawken went unsold with a price of $350.

Another plus is if you decide/need to sell later you can get more of your money back on used guns.

If you do not have a down the bore light, just take a nickeled empty cartridge case and good flashlight to check the bores.

Have fun however you decide.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I have been shooting Thompson guns since 1976. All American made, great service, great product. You might find an older one for sale at a good price. It would be worth your while to look around.
For my money, I would go with the Thompson. :thumbsup:

 

[JPShelton]

The T/C Hawken is a fine rifle -well-made, durable, and reliable.

That said, I wouldn't trade my Lyman GPR for one. But when I bought my GPR, the GPR is what I wanted. If it was more expensive than the T/C, I'd have bought it anyhow, and I wouldn't have given the cost of admission a second thought.

I can't remember how much my GPR set me back when I bought it two decades ago, but I know how much I spend shooting it each year. I am a fairly high volume shooter, and am shooting something three days a week. I spend a whole lot more on the lead I send downrange than the hardware I launch it from.

I shoot blackpowder, adult airguns, and sporting clays with cartridge shotguns, for the most part.

I shoot sporting with an ancient 1950s Browning A-5 Light 12 that I paid a whopping $300.00 for.

I run the course two times each day I shoot it, and I shoot it twice a month. Each month, I spend slightly more than the purchase price of the gun itself in shooting it. Just feeding my sporting clays habit sets me back $3,500.00 a year in ammo and range fees. I expect that I'll be shooting that A-5 another 30 years, at least. Ammortized over time, I am paying ten bucks a year for the gun, but I'll be paying AT LEAST $3,500.00 a year to keep shooting it as much as I want.

That's really the long-winded point. If you plan on shooting your trad. rifle a bunch, you'll spend a whole lot more in shooting it each year than the piddly difference of $200.00 between a Lyman or T/C. So if the T/C is what you can see yourself shooting freqeuntly over two or three decades, that is the gun to get. You only have to buy either of them once, after all. Might as well go for the one you'll get the most pleasure out of, because over the long term, you'll spend significantly more money on shooting it than you'll have spent to purchase it.

-JP

 

[brubincam]

-----my T.C.is a cheek smacker but not with the Lyman-----

 

[roundball]

I found a very good condition TC Hawkin for $250, which I purchased.I have had no problems with it and saved some $$.

Lyman GPR...Rate of twist is a consideration. The TC is 1:48 and the GPR is 1:66

Hard to tell from your post, but just to ensure you're aware of this, T/C makes 1:66" round ball barrels for their Hawkens and Renegades...you can give T/C's Fox Ridge store a call if you're interested...800-243-4570

 

[shdwlkr]

personally I wouldn't pay the current price for a TC hawken. It is just to expensive and you can find good used ones for about half the price of a new one.
I have around 6 of them right now and I only bought one or two new several decades ago. They are fine rifles but I don't see were they are worth the current asking price. When I can find good used ones for half the price.
I even picked up a seneca and a cherokee last year for the price one usually goes for one of them. You have to look and be patient but that is half the fun.
I won't anything but TC but that being said I am not going to just give my money away either.
If you have to have one now and can't wait get the gph and have fun.

 

[jtmattison]

-----my T.C.is a cheek smacker but not with the Lyman-----

The Lyman Trade Rifle is a cheek smacker too. It's built the same as the T/C. Almost an exact copy.

The GPR has much more drop in the comb so even with heavy loads it won't smack you silly.

HD

 

[Swede50]

I have a Lyman GPR 54cal & a TC Hawkins 50 cal I like both. The Lyman barrel is more accurate for round balls than the TC, but I like the TC trigger better than the Lyman. If I had one of the TC round ball barrels with the slow twist I think it would be a draw then. I also have a TC flint lock with a slow twist in 50 cal and it is more accurate than I am.

Good luck with your choice