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As far as scopes go for the 50 cal Hawkins , how do you go about mounting scopes and does anyone have any suggestions on which kind and mounting hardware?
If you are looking to "modernize" a TC Hawken, with modern bullets, scopes, etc. you should be asking on the modernmuzzleloaders site Wiscoaster provided. The site rules here prohibit those discussions.

However, when you have questions on that rifle with traditional projectiles and accouterments, this site is full of people with decades of experience using pre 1865 stuff. We're always ready to help people new to Traditional muzzleloading stuff and hope you will join us! 🙂
 
Due to my old eyes and deer only showing up at dusk, I decided to put a scope on my Deerstalker. Couldn't find a shop to drill/tap for mounts so I JB Welded a mount on. The scope extended my shooting times by at least 10 min compared to peep sights that I had been using. 3 years of shooting and 2 deer down and it's still holding.
I posted photos here and they were met with mixed opinions but most were sympathetic to my situation. I will say that if you still have youthful eyes and want to shoot with a scope there are ML's made for that and the Modern Muzzloader forum is your source for info. Good luck & ...
Endeavor to persevere.
 
If you are looking to "modernize" a TC Hawken, with modern bullets, scopes, etc. you should be asking on the modernmuzzleloaders site Wiscoaster provided. The site rules here prohibit those discussions.
Neither modern scopes nor Vernier tang sights fall into the same category as inlines, or modern projectiles. The objective is to encourage those with aging eye sight to continue to use their traditional muzzleloaders to hunt, and etc.
As far as scopes go for the 50 cal Hawkins , how do you go about mounting scopes and does anyone have any suggestions on which kind and mounting hardware?
A good 4x scope would be the max that I'd suggest, or a 1x-5x IF one needs an adjustable. Use a scope IF your eyesight has trouble in low light as the right one will "gather light", or use a scope if one's eyesight simply cannot handle the open, iron sights. However, do not get a scope hoping to extend the effective range on a traditional muzzleloader. 150 yards is pretty much the maximum for hunting for all but a very select, specialized few rifles.

LD
 
As far as scopes go for the 50 cal Hawkins , how do you go about mounting scopes and does anyone have any suggestions on which kind and mounting hardware?
Personally I struggle with being able to see and use iron sights of any style or type, though so far have been able to avoid a scope on a traditional muzzleloader. That said, I have found a so called scout scope to work very well for me on a more modern gun.

Specificity, I have Warne style quick detachable mounts with a Leupold FX 2.5 Scout scope on an 1895 45-70. If I were to mount on a TC muzzleloader or similar, I would try and use the rear sight mounting holes for an appropriate rail and go from there. Probably getting close to setting some folk’s hair on fire here, so send me a PM if you are interested in more details.
 
Some things to consider: Eye relief vs. possible mounting points. The mounts will determine how much adjustment you have along with the tube length/location. My solution was to get a 2x7 scout scope that had exactly 9 in of relief. I keep it at 2x to find the target easier. At 4x it can be hard to pick up your target at ML range. I also found that scope to be limiting also in low light. Although it worked, I replaced it with a 44mm objective with a 30mm tube. It's pound heavier and I have not field tested it yet. Also get see-thru pop up covers. You want to keep cap blasts off you lens.
Thanks to LD for his position on us with less-than-good eyesight.
 
T/C made a rail (others also) that used the sight holes and the screw that serves no purpose in the top flat by the hook breech you well also need to get a bent hammer or bend yours T/C made them. ebay is the best place to find them may take a while but be patient
 
T/C had a scope mount for the Hawken Rifle. I found a discussion about the scope mount in Modern Muzzleloading (the sister website) that talks of it. The discussion dates from 2008. The last entries were in 2022. Mounts may be found on E-Bay. Here's a link to the discussion on Modern Muzzleloading.

https://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/threads/tc-hawken-scope-mount.40660/
 
Yes you can mount a scope on a Hawken and many do. There used to be mounts available that used the screw holes for the open sight. There were some mounts that required drilling and tapping. The hammer will have to be bent or the scope offset. And...the nipple blast will get the scope dirty. I have a TC muzzloader scope and have played with the various ways to mount it. But...I found that on the muzzloader I much prefer the dot sights. Fairly easy to mount and they are mounted away from the blast. Hard to find a TC scope mount now. Leupold quit making the one they used to sell. I use a short Weaver rail and drill holes in the mount that fit the Hawken screw pattern. Actually the last time I milled some off the bottom of the rail so that I can leave the base on and use aperture sights or the dot sight.
 
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