New member, looking for advice on an old Thompson Center Renegade SB 56 cal

[LaroldC]

I'm a newbie to muzzle loaders. Found this site and love it. I live in MA. Inherited a pretty nice TC Renegade SB 56 cal. It's gorgeous but I know nothing about it. Some questions... 1) Does anyone know where I can get a User Manual for it? Google search is not coming up with much. Smith & Wesson owns TC now, so all contact goes to them, and their site doesn't mention a Manual for this piece. 2) Can anyone recommend at least one really good retailer who sells the powder, caps, patches, horns, measures, etc.? 3) Can this gun also be used for shot? 4) If you own one, what game do you find to be its best application?

I appreciate any advice or recommendations.

 

[Dobegrant]

Welcome from Arizona, good sources for blackpowder supplies : Track of the Wolf, Buffalo Arms, Dixie

 

[VA Hawken]

Shooting Thompson/Center Sidelock Black Powder Muzzleloading Firearms

Found this link to a TC Manual in another thread.



Welcome from Winchester, VA!

 

[BoomStick]

Welcome from SE PA.
Thompson center produced generic manuals that covered several current models of the time, so there won't be a specific one for the 56 smoothbore. And even though the 56 musket is mentioned for ball size in the manual, load data is not. I have an extra printed copy, if you want something original/physical.

 

[nit wit]

Welcome from Maine. Ask elsewhere on the forum for the best results.
Nit Wit

 

[UndeadPoet]

Welcome, from North Carolina! You should be able to shoot patched round ball, shot, or “buck and ball” (which is basically a round ball and some buckshot). Post your question on the Percussion thread on the forum, and you will get more answers.

 

[BackDraft]

Welcome from South-Central Indiana

 

[Mousegunguy]

Where in Massachusetts are you?
My farm is in central mass.
& I love my tc56SB!!

 

[LaroldC]

Welcome from Arizona, good sources for blackpowder supplies : Track of the Wolf, Buffalo Arms, Dixie

Excellent - thank you!

 

[LaroldC]

Shooting Thompson/Center Sidelock Black Powder Muzzleloading Firearms

Found this link to a TC Manual in another thread.



Welcome from Winchester, VA!

That's very helpful. Thanks, my friend.

 

[LaroldC]

I did find the one from the link that VA Hawken sent. It is generic, but I think it will do, in conjunction with other forum posters' intel. Than you for your kind offer!

 

[LaroldC]

Really. Wow, there is a lot to this instrument. Gonna spend the day reading posts and watching vids.

 

[LaroldC]

Where in Massachusetts are you?
My farm is in central mass.
& I love my tc56SB!!

I'm in the burbs just east of Worcester. So you love yours, awesome. Seems this is a quality piece, as I am reading more and more posts about it. Opens up a new world to me. Just gotta find a place to shoot it! I have a revolver, a pistol, and three 22 rifles, but this is a whole other breed, it seems. I want to shoot it outdoors, not in one of these unnatural indoor ranges, LOL!

 

[kelljp]

Welcome from East TN, I have one and you can shot shot (shotgun), or round ball.
I've found you need a mold for the round ball as it's harder to find, as mentioned above TOW is a good place to get one. Round ball loads are very patch dependent, experiment with it. A very versatile piece !

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Welcome from Mass!

I’ll have to check, I may have a manual.

Where are you? You can get traditional MZL’ing supplies up at the Hunter’s Rendezvous in Pepperell, MA.

 

[Eutycus]

Howdy and Welcome from Texas!

 

[Grenadier1758]

Admittedly asking for help on the T/C 56 smoothbore will get more response in the smoothbore forum. If you are willing to brave the Forum's search engine, enter "T/C 56 smoothbore" for results that would include the following:

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/56-smoothbore-for-turkey.143135/

 

[yotyfox]

Welcome from Utah.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Welcome from Upstate NY.

 

[LaroldC]

Welcome from East TN, I have one and you can shot shot (shotgun), or round ball.
I've found you need a mold for the round ball as it's harder to find, as mentioned above TOW is a good place to get one. Round ball loads are very patch dependent, experiment with it. A very versatile piece !

Thanks! I plan to experiment, for sure.