T/C Trouble's

[Bigpete]

For the TC 36 Seneca at least, the manual loads are way heavy. Had little luck with mine until I tried going light. FWIW, 20 gr. Pyro P behind a .350 roundball with a .010 patch always worked wonderfully well in my 36 Seneca. 25 gr was good too, but the groups opened up at 30. Even 10 gr worked pretty good. I can't conceive of how bad loads heavier than 30 gr would shoot.

I know you're stuck with 2f Wano; but give light loads a try. Heavy loads may have already wrecked your nipple.

The 36 is a squirrel/small game/fun target gun, not a deerslayer. That's what the 50s are for.

I tried light loads and they shot HEAPS worse. Groups were 3x the size

 

[renegadehunter]

Oh great. I've ordered two ¼x28 no.11 nipples for it going by what I found via google. What is the proper thread size then ?

I believe the TC Seneca takes a 12-28 nipple thread.

 

[FishDFly]

Yep.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Oh great. I've ordered two ¼x28 no.11 nipples for it going by what I found via google. What is the proper thread size then ?

Don't always believe Google.

Got to Track of the Wolf and order the PTC-S nipples. These are 12-28 threads. Links follow.

Nipples - Track of the Wolf

 

[dlidster]

You have a Seneca. The correct nipple size is 12-28.

 

[Bigpete]

Funnily enough,GOOGLE was what told me the correct thread was 12x28,and I ordered them 2 days ago

 

[Bigpete]

So I just pulled the nipple on the Seneca and received my new nipples in the post. Is that enough wear to make a difference? I confess to expecting something a little more dramatic

 

[BruceHH]

Yes, the difference is very significant. For best accuracy, some metal nipples are only good for around 60 shots before the hole starts enlarging. Of course your load weight, projectile etc.. all have an effect on that. AMPCO nipples and some others will greatly extend the nipple life.

 

[hunter thompson]

Try 40 grns of 3f. Wipe between shots. Your nipple (cone) might be worn out or possibly drilled out which could be the cause of hammer blow back. 2f will tend to build up more fowling in the smaller bores quicker than 3f. When I'm looking into the accuracy of a BP firearm I always wipe between shots.

YES defintly 3 ff

 

[hunter thompson]

The small calibers foul easily..i use 3 f triple 7 so theres no sludge and a pillow ticking patch 015.350 roundball and 40 grains of triple 7.Works

 

[Bad Karma]

So I just pulled the nipple on the Seneca and received my new nipples in the post. Is that enough wear to make a difference? I confess to expecting something a little more dramatic

Yep, that’s plenty… you would have to measure it with a pin gauge but the old one looks like it’s twice the diameter of the new.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Are you sure you have a Hawken model? T/C made a scaled down model called the Seneca that looked similar to the beefer Hawken. I don't believe that they ever made a Hawken model with a .36 barrel.
Assuming that it is a Seneca, you should refrain from your 70 grain load; the maximum load for the Seneca .36 in the T/C manual is 60 grains and that is twice as much powder than I've ever used in mine. A T/C manual dated 7/1/90 lists loads for the Seneca starting at 40 grains fffg which they state is the load they found to be most accurate. As necchi stated above a new nipple is a good place to start. Additionally if the rifle was stored long term with something like bore butter in the barrel the grooves could be caked with dried up lube and may need a good scrubbing.
Additionally, you should check that your rear sight is not loose. Also the Seneca rear sight has what the manual calls a "Positive Lock" set screw for windage. It is a small allen head screw in the front (as you look at the sight from the muzzle) of the windage base. It is what it is; in my experience if it is not tightened down the windage blade has quite a bit of play unless the elevation is all the way down.
A good photo of your rifle might help to identify exactly what you have.

Best advice given yet. Do heed. At only 25 yards/meters a large group can usually be the fault of the shooter not the load. I believe a soft lead ball, thin tough patch and more moderate load will improve things. Do check yer sights.

 

[necchi]

Oh great. I've ordered two ¼x28 no.11 nipples for it going by what I found via google. What is the proper thread size then ?

12/28
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Search.aspx?search=ptc-s

 

[Bigpete]

Yep, that’s plenty… you would have to measure it with a pin gauge but the old one looks like it’s twice the diameter of the new.

Cheers. Most useful answer yet in the last 5 posts

 

[Bigpete]

12/28
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Search.aspx?search=ptc-s

Cheers,already found that out and ordered some 3 or 4 days ago

 

[Bigpete]

Best advice given yet. Do heed. At only 25 yards/meters a large group can usually be the fault of the shooter not the load. I believe a soft lead ball, thin tough patch and more moderate load will improve things. Do check yer sights.

Already did all that,as stated,and the groups were far worse with a moderate load.

 

[Bigpete]

Finally received my new nipples ( giggle ), fitted a taller front sight, have got some of the powder the previous owner used and how much he used, now I just need to get out and shoot it and see if any of that helps out

 

[Bigpete]

First shot with the Seneca after fitting a new nipple,new front sight,using ~21gn of the fine powder that the old owner used to use. Off hand at about 15m. Seemed to hit slightly low and very slightly right,but thats hardly a definitive test. Still pleasing though

 

[dragnetbill]

First shot with the Seneca after fitting a new nipple,new front sight,using ~21gn of the fine powder that the old owner used to use. Off hand at about 15m. Seemed to hit slightly low and very slightly right,but thats hardly a definitive test. Still pleasing though

Personally, I prefer cap shots when I'm hunting spray cans..........

 

[nit wit]

I would try 35 grains of 3F.
Nit Wit