"New" New Englander

[markc05]

I just purchased a T/C New Englander .50 which has never been fired (by the previous owner or myself). I would be interested to hear from anyone with first hand knowledge of the rifle. I would also be interested in hearing anyone's thoughts on good loads for deer.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I have one and it is my favorite percussion. I use 84 gr FFg, a 0.18" coton patch and a 0.490 cast round ball. Light and handy, and I like the single trigger.


I added some tacks to mine to "dress it up" and make a Poor Man's Trade Gun with the 12 gauge barrel.

 

[m-g willy]

I got the same gun ,
load it with 95gr.3fg with round ball

 

[Halftail]

I got a New Englander in 50 calibre.For hunting I use 100 Grains of 3f and a 490 ball with a .018 Pillow Ticking patch.That load works good for me but I have killed deer with that gun using 80 and 90 grains too.

 

[ossabaw]

I've owned one in .50 since '94. It was my first BP firearm. Have had great accuracy and luck with eighty grains of Pyrodex RS or Goex FFF with prb's or 320 REALS. That load has given me eight deer with nine shots, with both prbs and reals. The only addition was a tang peep, since I don't have the best vision. It is a realy great gun for woods or tree stands - short, light and accurate.

 

[longfowler]

I've got one in .50 cal. I shoot a nice group at 50 yds with 275 gr maxi hunters and 80 grains 3f. nice handling gun, now all I need is a deer to walk in front of it for me!

 

[jcp161]

I have one in .50 caliber and have used it during the last three deer seasons. I use 90 grains of Pyrodex with a 350 grain T/C Maxi Hunter. This is a pretty accurate load out of my gun but have to admit I have been considering a switch to the T/C Maxiball. I have also added a T/C peep sight which greatly improved my accuracy although the gun had to be drilled and tapped for the extra hole. Very simple to use and a good field gun, in my opinion. The only negative is it is difficult to find accessories for it compared to more popular guns like a Hawken, etc.

 

[markc05]

Do you have any idea what the velocity of the load you described with the Maxihunter would be?

 

[jcp161]

I would have had to answer no but just recently got a manual from T/C that gives suggested loads for their guns in various calibers. In checking their book, p. 79 if it matters, a .50 caliber maxihunter or maxiball, 350-370 grains over 90 grains FFG has a muzzle velocity of 1465 fps and generates 1764 foot pounds of energy. That's with a #11 percussion cap. I don't know if it differs with Pyrodex but I have never had a problem with it and the recoil is not excessive. You can get a manual from T/C by email at their website. Mine came in a couple of days. Hope that helps.