Please help me streamline my little collection...

[ZenRooster]

EDITED: Thanks, Eric!

Newbie, here.

Late last year, I decided to give muzzleloading a try after reading about it online (and on this forum), so I bought a few rifles. Unfortunately, I really don't have the time to start the hobby. My question is, which of the following rifles might you keep if you could only keep one? (I know next to NOTHING about muzzleloaders or muzzleloading in general, so your opinion and guidance would be greatly appreciated.)

1. Thompson / Center Hawken, 50 Cal. (I remember the seller mentioning that it was an older 5-digit serial number, whatever that means. I just thought it looked pretty.)

2. Austin & Halleck, 50 Cal. (I read somewhere that A&H made a superb quality muzzleloader, and this particular one is in mint condition.)

Personally, I'm leaning toward the Austin & Halleck, but I don't know why.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

ZR

 

[Eric Krewson]

According to the rules you can't post pictures of inline rifles here, we are of a more primitive nature. I understand there is a sister site called modern muzzle loading where your two bottom guns will fit in just fine.

 

[ZenRooster]

OMG! I'm so sorry. I've edited the post and photos, so now I think I'm in line with the rules. (Or not in-line, as it were.)

Thanks, Eric!

ZR

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

The TC is a good gun, but I know nothing about the A & H except the front sight is on backwards. I have a gut feeling it is the better of the two, but wait till someone who knows give a reply.
Larry

 

[2 shots]

if you choose the a/h .... you have chosen wisely

 

[deerstalkert]

personally i would keep the TC. with the sights that are mounted on it your set for any range you can still see.
my Old buddy that has gone on had a AH and he cursed every time he mentioned it. don't remember why, but he hated it. will have a cuppa and see if i can remember that far back.

 

[2 shots]

oh yeah . might wanna hang on to the tang sight.. us it on the a/h

 

[sheriff john]

A&H - but that's just me.

 

[Sean E Bug]

I would shoulder both rifles while aiming at a mark on the wall. then choose which gun feels the best and holds better for you.

 

[Antonio Ferraioli]

I would solve your problems and take them both off your hands, that way you do not have to choose.

 

[Bearkiller]

I think the rear sight on the A&H is on backwards. The TC will always have a better resale value than the A&H.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The AH does have the front sight backwards. That's an easy fix to remove the front sight and reverse it.

Do you have all the inserts for the globular front sight for the T/C? The tang sight is not one of the better tang peep sights, but it does work, and you do have the original rear sight. Probably keep the T/C.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Yup, both front and rear sights on the A&H are on backwards! Who does this stuff?

 

[Robert an saa fan]

I would keep the very nice early production Thompson/Center.

You can read quite a bit on the Austin & Halleck's on this forum by doing some searches. I had one for several years. Never got around to shooting it as it just did not "speak" to me. Of course your mileage may vary.

Your Austin & Halleck looks like it was from a kit. If I recall correctly A & H sold kits; could just be a refinished gun . . . wood looks way lighter than others I have seen.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I own a TC. it’s my go to black powder rifle. Extremely happy with it for forty plus years.

 

[Whitworth]

T/C gets my vote.

 

[toot]

thank GOD, that we are a primitive site with no in lines. we are the last of the dinosaur's! that is what draws us to the site. jmho.

 

[dwarvenchef]

T/C gets my vote, but I’m a sucker for a nice t/c hawken

 

[brushblind]

The AH will be more historically correct, as much as possible for a repro. The AH will likely serve you better if your just shooting patched round ball. The twist rate in the TC will give OK performance with ball or conical if the rifling isn't worn out. If you can swing it buy both and sell the one you least like. Also I believe the AH could be converted to flint later on, if you chose but others on here may be more up on that than I.

 

[user 48679]

I have had both, and much prefer the A&H sidelocks to the T/C Hawken.

To my eye, the A&H styling is like a sexy sports car; while the T'C's just about exactly the same as any other Hawken club.

My A&H's though, were both rocklocks - one with 1:28" rifling twist for conicals & one with 1:60" rifling twist for PRB's. (A&H stamped the twist rate into the underside of their barrels)

They both were a bit more accurate than my T/C Hawken - a definite plus.