T/C 56 smooth bore

[boker]

Whats the going value on these in 2021?

I found one on a local gun forum for $400 but the sights have been altered.

 

[Mousegunguy]

Boker,
I own four .56 SB Hawkens.
my first I bought for $200 about 10 years ago. It was in beautiful shape.
The next two were in need of minor repairs and were free.
Just last weekend I picked up another for $150 (with spare rifled .54 barrel) was in decent shape.
I’m in Massachusetts where they seem pretty common

 

[Maven]

Boker,
I own four .56 SB Hawkens.
my first I bought for $200 about 10 years ago. It was in beautiful shape.
The next two were in need of minor repairs and were free.
Just last weekend I picked up another for $150 (with spare rifled .54 barrel) was in decent shape.
I’m in Massachusetts where they seem pretty common

They were indeed common in MA for a very good reason. To wit, the T/C Renegade SB was made to be compliant with MA's game/hunting laws. Whether that's the case in 2021, I can't say.

 

[Mousegunguy]

My understanding is that the first few years deer could be hunted in Massachusetts with muzzleloaders they could not be rifled.
That law didn’t last for more than a few years before the smoothie became ‘obsolete’ so most that I find here are in very nice shape.

 

[cynthialee]

about 5 or 6 years back I got just the barrel for about $275 I think it was
I really like it for deer hunting. Since I swapped out the .54 rifled barrel for the smooth .56 on my Renegade I haven't even put the rifle barrel back on the stock.

 

[Mousegunguy]

For me they are pretty accurate within about 75 yards, handy size, powerful and very versatile
One of my favorites

 

[Loyalist Dave]

My understanding is that the first few years deer could be hunted in Massachusetts with muzzleloaders they could not be rifled.
That law didn’t last for more than a few years before the smoothie became ‘obsolete’ so most that I find here are in very nice shape.

Yes I've been taught that the .56 smooth bore Hawken from TC was the Massachusetts Gun. Not an official name or designation, but the reason behind them being made.

I was originally taught that TC made them to export to the UK (or perhaps other parts of Europe) where it was much easier for Tommy to get permission to own and hunt with a smoothbore..., after it had been to Birmingham and proofed. While the latter was true and a few made it over it turns out the motivation for the .56 was here in the USA. This earlier story seems to be an urban myth...,

Ironic too, since a lot of folks as they've aged have opted for a smooth bore, AND while guys in the rest of the country were limiting themselves to rifled pieces, they were missing out on some good small game hunting.

OH well if I ever win that PowerBall I'm going to need a tax write-off, so I'll start making a traditional rifle with an accompanying smooth barrel. MAYBE I'll make a grooved barrel and be odd but good with it ???


LD

 

[Timber Wolf]

That may be about right on the price but seems a little high. I got mine a few years ago off GB and don’t remember what I paid but it was less than $300 shipped. If I did not have one, and could lay hands on one and check it out I might pay $400 for it. I really like mine and enjoy shooting it. I loaded it in the truck yesterday to take on a camping/shooting trip this weekend.

 

[hunter thompson]

They were indeed common in MA for a very good reason. To wit, the T/C Renegade SB was made to be compliant with MA's game/hunting laws. Whether that's the case in 2021, I can't say.

To be lawfull without any sort of paperwork..muzzleloaders if the have rifling have to be registered in that antigun police state

 

[necchi]

I own four .56 SB Hawkens.

Just curious, Are all 4 Hawken frames,, or Renegade?
Isn't the 56 SB is a 1" barrel?

 

[Goble2me]

54,56,58 TC barrels are 1"

 

[Mousegunguy]

To be lawfull without any sort of paperwork..muzzleloaders if the have rifling have to be registered in that antigun police state

No permission slip is needed for muzzloaders or percussion revolvers in Massachusetts.
With the exception of inline 209 guns which you can buy without paperwork, but to buy the actual 209 shotgun primers you need a license as they are considered ammunition ‘components’

 

[Mousegunguy]

Just curious, Are all 4 Hawken frames,, or Renegade?
Isn't the 56 SB is a 1" barrel?

My mistake,
The .56 SB are Renagades

 

[josie wales]

Massachusetts was smooth bore only at the start of Muzzle Loading. It was a three day special hunt and we could shoot Buck or Does. The woods were full of .56 smooth bores by TC. I still have my TC but now with a .54 Green Mountain "Round Ball Special". The .56 smooth bore is now used with bird shot.

 

[Winchester97]

Love my .56. I've never fired a ball from it, only shot loads. A squirrel getter for sure. As far as value, I would think $350 in good shape, much less for a bore with pitting.

 

[Mogadishu Meanderer]

Love mine! I ended up paying more that what I wanted but I missed on a pair of brand new ones, consecutively serialized. They wanted $800 for both! I passed, ended up paying $450 for ONE that needed a bit of TLC! Sorry, I am not perfect yet. Any how, I load mine with shot, mostly copper plated 6’s and have killed countless of grouse with it. I loaded as per the Tc booklet, but I use durofelt wads instead. Also , I do not have the proper .550 RB mould so I shoot a .535 RB with denim for patch. It shoot 2 inches at 50 from the kneeling so is good enough for me. I really want to get the proper ball for it though. Enjoy it!

 

[Grimord]

Love mine! I ended up paying more that what I wanted but I missed on a pair of brand new ones, consecutively serialized. They wanted $800 for both! I passed, ended up paying $450 for ONE that needed a bit of TLC! Sorry, I am not perfect yet. Any how, I load mine with shot, mostly copper plated 6’s and have killed countless of grouse with it. I loaded as per the Tc booklet, but I use durofelt wads instead. Also , I do not have the proper .550 RB mould so I shoot a .535 RB with denim for patch. It shoot 2 inches at 50 from the kneeling so is good enough for me. I really want to get the proper ball for it though. Enjoy it!

You can get pre-made balls from TOW in .550, or order a mold from Tanner molds to make your own. That's what I did for my .56.

 

[Crazy Jay]

Love my .56. I've never fired a ball from it, only shot loads. A squirrel getter for sure. As far as value, I would think $350 in good shape, much less for a bore with pitting.

May I ask what load you are using?

 

[Roundball2319]

I love mine. Shot for birds. I got a turkey this spring with it. I haven't played with round ball loads yet.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Love mine! I ended up paying more that what I wanted but I missed on a pair of brand new ones, consecutively serialized. They wanted $800 for both! I passed, ended up paying $450 for ONE that needed a bit of TLC! Sorry, I am not perfect yet. Any how, I load mine with shot, mostly copper plated 6’s and have killed countless of grouse with it. I loaded as per the Tc booklet, but I use durofelt wads instead. Also , I do not have the proper .550 RB mould so I shoot a .535 RB with denim for patch. It shoot 2 inches at 50 from the kneeling so is good enough for me. I really want to get the proper ball for it though. Enjoy it!

Track of the Wolf sells cast .550" balls. Moose Moulds makes and sells .550" round ball moulds, single or double cavity, and they give you a choice with regard to the sprue cutter. You can get it with the tangential cut-off (like on Lee moulds) or with the little nib (as on Lyman moulds). The Moose Moulds aren't cheap, though. Last time I checked, they were $100-$110 for a single cavity, or $125 for the two-holer.

That .550" ball might be hard to load in your .56 smoothbore, with a patch. You may want to try some of the pre-cast balls before ordering a mould. You might find you like .535" or .540" balls better, after all.

Good luck with it!

Notchy Bob