T/C Hawken Kit

[concretus]

Hello,
I recently came into a T/C Hawken kit from an estate sale. The boxes and bags were still sealed. The receipt I found in an envelope said this kit was purchased in June 1978! It is a .45 cal percussion. Before I started to shape the beautiful walnut stock I went online to see some finished rifles and noticed they all were a little different in one way or another. I cleaned and shaped it and although it can / will probably be picked apart for not following “classic” lines, I think it will make a nice piece. Prepping the barrel and carbon steel parts was really a chore. But I did it with the file/emory cloth/ crocus cloth method. I will probably apply bluing a couple of time more and get the finish a little deeper. Photos upon completing.
What is the twist of these barrels? I did notice an “m” stamped under the barrel if that means anything. What size lead round balls are available for them? Maxi balls, conicals? Is FFg powder good to use or is FFFg preferred? I have two Renegades in .50 & .54 and an Armi Sport three band P53; they all use FFg powder. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[user 48702]

Outstanding, you'll enjoy it. 1/48" twist, .440 ball, and .T/C .45 Maxi-Ball is what was suggested, but I'm sure others will be along with ideas. 3F was the suggested powder, but I have also used 2F.

Here is an idea for a conical/mini, I cast these from an old Lyman (Ideal) mold #450229 that was designed for the 1858 Remington. They drop at .452 to .453 dia. (size to .451) and weigh 172-173 grains, with an OAL of .565 . Only tried these out to about 75 yards, but they are very accurate out of my T/C .45 Hawken. if you keep a watch-out on ebay, you'll see these molds pretty often. Start out with about 40 grains of 3f and work your wy up until you get decent results. this bullet shoots pretty good in my .45 Pedersoli Frontier as well. This particular mold is right at 100 years old.

 

[user 48702]

Forgot to ask, since you have the receipt, could you share what the kit sold for in June 1978. I bought the factory finished T/C .45 Hawken in late 1973/early 1974 for a little less than $150 from a dealer at the AGCA Birmingham, Alabama gun show.

Just found a photo of the mold for the Remington that Lyman used to make #450229. These are dropping at about 177 grain pure lead, cast dia. .452.

 

[longcruise]

@Gunny5821 that's an interesting adaptation of that bullet. I've done the same with 452 200 gr bullets in a tc 45. Good accuracy but I've no practical application for them.

@concretus My TC 45 has been a good shooter with 445 balls and JoAnnes #40 drill (about .018) and 45 gr 3f Scheutzen. Your 2f should work fine.

The only "classical lines" that any TC has is that of a late 20th century mass produced muzzle loader. That's not a criticism, just a reality. One thing that is a common error (just my opinion) in assembling the TC and other production kits is the rounding over of the edges of the lock panel and offside panel. Keep the edges sharp.

 

[concretus]

Forgot to ask, since you have the receipt, could you share what the kit sold for in June 1978. I bought the factory finished T/C .45 Hawken in late 1973/early 1974 for a little less than $150 from a dealer at the AGCA Birmingham, Alabama gun show.

Just found a photo of the mold for the Remington that Lyman used to make #450229. These are dropping at about 177 grain pure lead, cast dia. .452.

It was purchased at Gander Mountain for 99.99.
I like the idea of the Minnie. For target shooting. I guess you would have to keep the charge in check so not to blow out the skirt. A long maxi ball with good surface area and not be heavy would make an accurate, hard hitting hunting round.

 

[concretus]

@Gunny5821 that's an interesting adaptation of that bullet. I've done the same with 452 200 gr bullets in a tc 45. Good accuracy but I've no practical application for them.

@concretus My TC 45 has been a good shooter with 445 balls and JoAnnes #40 drill (about .018) and 45 gr 3f Scheutzen. Your 2f should work fine.

The only "classical lines" that any TC has is that of a late 20th century mass produced muzzle loader. That's not a criticism, just a reality. One thing that is a common error (just my opinion) in assembling the TC and other production kits is the rounding over of the edges of the lock panel and offside panel. Keep the edges sharp.

I was able to keep the edges sharp on the lock okay but on the other side I had to reshape the front and it has a softer edge. Live and learn I guess…

 

[concretus]

I was able to keep the edges sharp on the lock okay but on the other side I had to reshape the front and it has a softer edge. Live and learn I guess…

Okay, here it is. I know there are some blemishes on the barrel, but I did make 4 passes with the bluing.

 

[concretus]

And these two…

 

[oldramrod]

The mini's in your picture look very much like the ones I cast from a mold I made, They shoot very we;; with 50 grain FF or 45 grain FFF usinf an over p;owder leather wad and lubed with 20% bees wax 80% lard.

 

[Jay Templin]

Nice work there, Concretus! I’ve taken every deer I’ve killed on purpose with my .45 Hawken, mostly with .440 and .445 balls over 70gr of 2Fg, and one with a .45 REAL (Rifling Engraved At Loading) bullet over 70gr 2Fg.

Which prompts a question, longcruise and Oldramrod- y’all mentioned using 50 and 45 gr in yours. Were those target loads or hunting loads?

Jay

 

[longcruise]

Which prompts a question, longcruise and Oldramrod- y’all mentioned using 50 and 45 gr in yours. Were those target loads or hunting loads?

Jay

Other than doing some (extreme) velocity tests, I've never shot anything but 45 grains of 3f in my one and only 45. It's used mostly for match shooting and occasionally small. I've never "worked up a load" for it. First shots were 45 grain, i liked it and stayed with it.

 

[azmntman]

HURRY there is a brand new TC .45 maxi mold for sale here in the forum for $75.00. HURRY

 

[ETipp]

That rifle looks great. You did good. Congrats on a fine ML.

 

[concretus]

That rifle looks great. You did good. Congrats on a fine ML.

Thank you very much.

 

[concretus]

Nice work there, Concretus! I’ve taken every deer I’ve killed on purpose with my .45 Hawken, mostly with .440 and .445 balls over 70gr of 2Fg, and one with a .45 REAL (Rifling Engraved At Loading) bullet over 70gr 2Fg.

Which prompts a question, longcruise and Oldramrod- y’all mentioned using 50 and 45 gr in yours. Were those target loads or hunting loads?

Jay

Thanks. I'll try that load when my orders come in.

 

[Dirty Mike]

You did a great job, going to be a fantastic shooter

 

[concretus]

You did a great job, going to be a fantastic shooter

Thank you!