TC hawken newbie

Hi,just bought a used(1980's) 54 cal tc hawken in great shape. It came with a percussion barrel with leupold scope and lock as well as a flint barrel and lock.It also came with many extra's so I think I have all I need to start out.It cost $350 which is around what I wanted to spend. I will be hunting with the flintlock as I like the history of it.What do users of this gun think of it? Really dont know alot about the gun but have read some issues about the older frizzen and hammer that mine has. Is the older style ok or should I get new parts from tc. As I bought it used from a neighbor can I get the new parts under warrenty? Any rough ideas on the cost? Are there any other issues I should be concerned with? Thanks alot for any info you can give me.

 

[Zonie]

Well, although my .54 cal TC Hawken isn't a flintlock, it's one of my more accurate rifles.
I'm shooting target loads (.535 roundballs with .018 Pillow Ticking, TC Bore Butter and 75 grains of FFg). With this load, keeping groups under 1 inch out to 35 yards is no problem.
I shoot it hand held with my elbows on the bench and I know I'm the weak link in the process.

As for TC's warrenty, it covers their guns no matter who owns it or how many times it was sold. It's hard to beat.

I've seen where some folks don't have a problem with their TC Flintlocks and others do. If my memory serves me correctly, those who had problems with the old locks called TC. I believe they were told to send their gun back to the factory and when they got it back it had a new lock on it.
All it cost was postage one way.

HAY You members: Correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Oh. Because this is a Traditional site, don't be suprised when folks start suggesting that you remove the modern scope from your other barrel. ::

 

[Rebel]

Where is Roundball when ya need him? :: In case you don't already know, Roundball is our local authority on T/C's. The man know's all about them. And that's no (hey, what happened to our BS icon?)

 

[Arrowstorm]

yeah, i saw this post earlier and my first thought was that if you liked to more "historical" feel of a flintlock, the very first thing you should do is lose the scope. But I didn't want to sound mean. someone else said it, so I'll suggest it as well. :m2c:

Is this your first flinter?

 

[jim gray]

Here ya go, Rebel

Where is Roundball when ya need him? In case you don't already know, Roundball is our local authority on T/C's. The man know's all about them. And that's no

:bull:

 

[jim gray]

Okay, if you like the flinter better, don't worry about removing the scope just use the flinter barrel and leave the caplock, percussion barrel and scope at home. Save it for a rainy day so to speak.

Ok to the questions posed.

What do users of this gun think of it?

I have a renegade, which is the ame basic gun, although it's not as ornate. I started shooting ML when I was 11, the first one was my dad's .54 cal renegade with the old lock. It was a deadly accurate gun with a superfast ignition and it was terrific for targets and deer.

Really dont know alot about the gun but have read some issues about the older frizzen and hammer that mine has. Is the older style ok or should I get new parts from tc.

The big problem that people had with the older locks was that they chewed up flints in a hurry. Some people claimed that if they got a dozen shots from one flint they were doing well with a T/C. I didn't notice any problem with my dad's gun and my brother is still using it with the original lock. If you have a problem with flint life, get the lock replaced, after all it won't cost you anything but shipping.

As I bought it used from a neighbor can I get the new parts under warrenty? Any rough ideas on the cost?

I think this has been covered already. Good luck with that Hawken.

Are there any other issues I should be concerned with?

Yes, you are going to develop a serious addiction to BP shooting and will probably be compelled to buy and shoot more muzzleloading firearms. To prevent that from happening, you should send the gun immediately to BP shooters anonymous. PM me. I'll give you the address.

 

[Rebel]

Ok, so where was that BS when i looked for it? :: Ohh, of course, now it's there. ::

 

[jim gray]

I don't know. I don't remember it being where it is now. I thought it was further down on the page, but maybe I just need to get more sleep.

 

[jim gray]

yeah, i saw this post earlier and my first thought was that if you liked to more "historical" feel of a flintlock, the very first thing you should do is lose the scope.

BTW the scope would be mounted on the percussion barrel. You might be able to use it on a flinter, once. After that I don't think you'd be able to see though it.

 

[rudy parnell]

Sounds like somebody must have passed on from the sound of that price you paid. The leupold scope is probably worth the price you paid for the whole outfit. Now ,that is a good neighbor. Have fun! Thompson Center is a top performer. :thumbsup: Hey, Rebel do you know what the little icon with the red hat is all about...it that a shade of pink? or maybe a British soldier? adios

 

[KampKool]

Hi,just bought a used(1980's) 54 cal tc hawken in great shape. It came with a percussion barrel with leupold scope and lock as well as a flint barrel and lock.It also came with many extra's so I think I have all I need to start out.It cost $350 which is around what I wanted to spend. I will be hunting with the flintlock as I like the history of it.What do users of this gun think of it? Really dont know alot about the gun but have read some issues about the older frizzen and hammer that mine has. Is the older style ok or should I get new parts from tc. As I bought it used from a neighbor can I get the new parts under warrenty? Any rough ideas on the cost? Are there any other issues I should be concerned with? Thanks alot for any info you can give me.

Sounds like you have it all for PA...use the caplock & scope in October and the flintlock in Dec/Jan...Sounds like the original owner used it in other states as PA was flinter only till a few years ago. I just inherited a .54 cal renegade flintlock and I really like it and i'm planning to spend more time in the woods 'cause I have it.

:m2c:

 

Thanks for all the input. Yes, the scope was already mounted on the caplock barrel. I live on the PA-NY border so my neighbor bought the rifle for both worlds. I had always wanted to hunt with a ML but kept putting it off till my neighbor won an inline and said he could part with his old hawken as he had not fired it in years. I really had no idea as to the cost of one but in Cabelas you could buy a hawken with starter kit for around $350. When my neighbor said he would sell his outfit for that price I went and looked at it.He even gave me around 75 round balls and maxi balls with a mold and handle. After l got home I started pricing everything and realized I had recieved a pretty good deal so I started to fell a might guilty as John, the neighbor,is a older, retired fella who I really respect and I did not want to take advatage of him. I called him and explained my thoughts to him and he said he was just going to call me as he had found the sights for the caplock barrel to give me and as long as I use the rifle he will be happy as hel-. I will make it up to him somehow!
I guess I will send the lock in for the new model since I only have to pay for shipping and will have no worries. Again, thanks for the help.

 

[jimbo15563]

Since Roundball hasn't shown up yet, I'll fill in for him. Here's what he said I should do:

Roundball sez:

If I could, I'll offer a suggestion:
1) Do NOT call them ahead of time;
2) Priority mail the lock directly to the attention of Service Manager Tim Pancurak (with delivery confirmation);
3) Include a good memo commenting on the reliability of the lock, and ask him if he could look it over and make it more dependable for hunting, etc;

You'll either get it back with all appropriate parts replaced, or you'll get a complete new lock assembly...no charge.

Frankly, as busy as they are this time of year, I'd bet he'll just hand it to Customer Service and tell them to pull a new lock off the shelf and mail it right back to you, rather than tie up a repair person for a half hour.

He also mentioned on another thread that they are very busy now with the upcoming hunting seasons and that there is a possibility that it would not be done in time for this year's season. You might want to try to get the old lock working adequately and send it in after hunting with it. That's what I'm going to do.

Jimbo

 

[Rebel]

I think this fella :redthumb: is supposed to be a British soldier. If it were more pink colored it might be French. ::

 

[roundball]

Since Roundball hasn't shown up yet, I'll fill in for him. Here's what he said I should do:

Roundball sez:

If I could, I'll offer a suggestion:
1) Do NOT call them ahead of time;
2) Priority mail the lock directly to the attention of Service Manager Tim Pancurak (with delivery confirmation);
3) Include a good memo commenting on the reliability of the lock, and ask him if he could look it over and make it more dependable for hunting, etc;

You'll either get it back with all appropriate parts replaced, or you'll get a complete new lock assembly...no charge.

Frankly, as busy as they are this time of year, I'd bet he'll just hand it to Customer Service and tell them to pull a new lock off the shelf and mail it right back to you, rather than tie up a repair person for a half hour.

He also mentioned on another thread that they are very busy now with the upcoming hunting seasons and that there is a possibility that it would not be done in time for this year's season. You might want to try to get the old lock working adequately and send it in after hunting with it. That's what I'm going to do.

Jimbo

:redthumb: