SKS Goes Away, T/C Comes to Stay

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Josh Smith

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Hello,

This afternoon I made a 100 mile round trip to swap my SKS for a T/C New Englander.

It was so worth it.

fullview.jpg

The full view. I would like to replace that rubber coated rod with a wooden one.

The tip is mine. I wanted a bit of brass on it.

Everythingyouseehere.jpg

My very first pound of Holy Black!

It came with everything you see here. The black is open, but only a little has been used. Both it and the Pyrodex look to be a bit older. The primers certainly are. The CCIs still have a "C" stamped into the top; first time I've seen that!

Triplets.jpg

The triplets.

Tomorrow I take an 11 year old boy on his first squirrel hunt. If we have time, we'll be firing off muzzleloaders. If he shows competence in loading, firing, and cleaning, he will take the Bobcat home. (His mother knows guns - in fact, while on duty, she shot herself through the hand! Glock malfunction, but still fun to joke about with her).

His mother's boyfriend shoots, but the goal is for him to show up the boyfriend. I'm planning to show him some sniper's tricks tomorrow. I do already know he can shoot.

Anyway...

I took the T/C apart and promptly lost the barrel lug. Spent about four hours finding it. Went through everything; the lock needed lubed so it got grease, and the barrel, well, I was pulling rust from the barrel.

I must state here that the rust was not bad at all, and I used methods learned in the muzzleloading community that would not be used by a person used to shooting smokeless.

It will need a new nipple, but the current one will suffice for tomorrow. It's not even really eroded; it's just pitted a bit from rust. it's stainless so it's not as bad as it could have been.

This is a very solid rifle and definitely has its own personality, as does the Kentucky. I'm not sure which I like more; they are very much the same but distinctly different at once. I'll probably like both the same, for different reasons.

That's it, I'm out of trade goods I do believe. You can see part of a rifle and a revolver in that first pic, but they were put in there accidentally and won't be trade fodder. I still have a slow twist Hawken replica to grab up, and then I might start looking at flinters, or building a custom boxlock assuming I'm bringing in enough.

One question though: The T/C looks like it was coned from the factory. It's not a fast twist; I get about 1/2 turn of a cleaning rod, or 1:52", which is probably 1:48", so it's not a dedicated bullet gun.

I was thinking I read someplace that T/C uses "built in false muzzles" to help loading. Is this what I'm seeing?

Thanks,

Josh
 
I really like the looks of that nipple cover on the NE. :thumbsup: Is that a home-build or can I order one from somewhere?TOTW maybe?Looks ALOT more traditional than the pink,rubber tubing nipple seals I am currently using,lol.
 
The "coning" is T/C's QLA system of a false muzzle. Doesn't work real well with patched round ball, but does help align conicals like the maxiball. The Renegadge is a very good rifle and don't forget T/C's lifetime warrenty.
Enjoy!
 
Hi Henbrook,

It's just a piece of tapered, flat, tied rawhide from my grandpa's bullwhip (the one that fell apart, and I used to make a powder horn along with horns he brought back from Mexico).

Shoot me your address and I'll send you a piece. Grandpa woulda' liked it.

Josh
 
You're cooking now Josh! Great trade, and in my book you came out far on the long end. Woops. Exposing my opinion of SKS.

You'll have some fun with the New Englander, that's for sure. I got one in 54 in a mistaken long-distance trade, but decided to hang onto it after shooting it. They just handle and shoot well.

Hopefully you'll be "second in line" behind me, but I've got my eyes open for a 12 gauge replacement barrel. Add that to your setup, and the New Englander is likely to spend it's life near the front of your favorites list.
 
Josh Smith said:
Hi Henbrook,

It's just a piece of tapered, flat, tied rawhide from my grandpa's bullwhip (the one that fell apart, and I used to make a powder horn along with horns he brought back from Mexico).

Shoot me your address and I'll send you a piece. Grandpa woulda' liked it.

Josh

Too kind,thank you! :thumbsup: I should warn you though that shipping to Canada might cost more than the leather is worth,lol.
 
No biggie. If you can't find a strip up there, let me know. I'd just throw it in a letter envelope :D

I will probably replace mine with deer hide on all my rifles. More authentic, somehow.

Josh
 
Josh , good trade . You are correct on the twist beeing 1/48". Don"t be too dissipointed if the Pyro is not up to par . if its been opened long it may have lost its shelf life . The QLA system can disturb the accy. with PRB if you load much over 65 grs. Goex or Pyrodex RS. I had a Renegade with the QLA feature and it started to spread very bad as the charge was increased over 65-70 grs. :thumbsup:
 
Golllllllieeeee!
It doesn't seem that long ago that a guy with a name like yours ended up with this little plastic stocked muzzleloading rifles and he didn't know what end to stick the powder in.

Now look at him! He's got a bunch of those muzzleloaders and I bet he's looking for more of them! :rotf:

Congratulations on your latest find. I know your going to enjoy it (along with the others). :thumbsup:
 
I wouldn't give the QLA barrel another thought except it is easier to load no matter what projectile you are using. I have several and they preform well about like any other sampling of barrels. You can't judge by just one.
 
Hello,

Thanks all. Shot it for the first time tonight. Loaded with 70gn Pyrodex, I was cutting pinkie thick limbs at 30yds.

Josh
 
Nice trade Josh! Every time I hear SKS it makes me think of that classic line, "never fired...and only dropped once". :thumbsup:
 
Hi Folks,

Just a few thoughts, questions, etc...

I have 18 of those 350gn boolits.

Guess where those are going? Yup. Eighteen 350gn boolits = 35 .50 round balls = 50 .45 balls.

Can I order a new barrel for this? I have no immediate plans to do so due to lack of funds, but I've been reading about shotgun barrels and dedicated slow twist barrels for these?

Got into my change jar today and scrounged up enough money for a trip to the gunstore where I bought a Hotshot nipple. That thing touches off Pyrodex very nicely. Only, why are the #11 caps so loose on it? Seems I could put on a #10 cap, almost.

The loads that felt heavy in the Bobcat are nothing in this rifle. It seems to develop the most accuracy at 70gns as did the Bobcat, so I was cutting branches with that at 30 yards and knocking cans around at 50, standing.

I do like these sights. Yes, they're adjustable, but that's not the thing. They're almost express-style and work very well for me.

I don't like this rubberized rod. I like the way those unbreakable hickory rods look and function. I'm going to have to take a looksee at them again.

Josh
 
That may be what it says but they have always gone the extra mile for me. I have sent many old style flintlock locks in and received upgraded ones without charge. I don't know how they treat their new in-line customers but Thompson Center is a great company others could learn from.
 
I must beg to differ sir,I just got a perfectly repaired Renegade lock returned from TC. I did indeed tell them that I had bought it secondhand and it was of little or no concern. Turnaround time of less than 10 days as well. Good bunch of folks.
 
Thats good to know!

I need to get my old/new T/C tomorrow that is sitting over at the PO . . . just got back from 10 days on the road!
 
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