TC Renegade Remodel

[LSB]

The first photo is my TC Renegade as I originally purchased it and then photos after I remodeled it. If I had to describe it I would call it a "Trade Rifle", i.e. something produced in the 1800s for trading to the Native Americans. It is not meant to be a reproduction or copy of any particular rifle such as a Leman, rather just a generic version of what I would call a Trade Rifle. I have always liked the Renegade but never really cared for its rather bland and austere appearance. It is 50 caliber and very accurate. I have also included photos of the three deer I have taken with it since redoing it. The peep sight is a CVA brand that I had the barrel drilled and tapped for. I simply cannot shoot any iron sight anymore other than a peep sight. My eyes must have an aperture type sight to keep everything in focus enough to hit what I am aiming at. All metal is browned and I deleted the finger rest on the trigger guard because I have never liked that style-each to his own. The fore end cap is poured pewter.

 

[UndeadPoet]

Wow! Nice looking before and after. I like the Cross Lorraine. Also, nice deer.

 

[ppg1949]

LSB,welcome to the forum. And on the Renegade, well done! You have given me a few ideas. Thanks

 

[LSB]

LSB,welcome to the forum. And on the Renegade, well done! You have given me a few ideas. Thanks

Thank you.

Wow! Nice looking before and after. I like the Cross Lorraine. Also, nice deer.

 

[LSB]

Thank you.

Wow! Nice looking before and after. I like the Cross Lorraine. Also, nice deer.

Thank you.

 

[moose23]

Very nice job remodeling that Renegade! And congrats on the deer!! Is the ramrod curly maple?

 

[LSB]

No. Hickory if my memory serves me.

 

[moose23]

It has really nice variation in color

 

[TCMonts]

Did you pour the nose cap?

 

[LSB]

Very nice job remodeling that Renegade! And congrats on the deer!! Is the ramrod curly maple?

Thank you. The stock was stained with Laurel Mountain Forge cherry stain.

 

[LSB]

Did you pour the nose cap?

Yes. Quite a process but it turned out pretty good for my first attempt.

 

[LSB]

It has really nice variation in color

Thank you. The stock was stained with Laurel Mountain Forge cherry stain. I like the way it turned out on the walnut stock. I think the pewter nose cap kinda sets it off nicely.

 

[Dude]

Nice!

Tell us about the pewter fore end cap. What's involved creating that?

 

[rt2bowhunter]

Looks awesome great job.

 

[LSB]

Looks awesome great job.

Thank you.

 

[LSB]

Nice!

Tell us about the pewter fore end cap. What's involved creating that?

I removed wood from the stock where the pewter fore end cap will be. I screwed 2 small screws in the front of the wood stock leaving about 1/3 of the screw exposed to serve as an anchor to help hold the fore end on. Then, I drilled 2 holes from the top to the bottom of the wood stock where it would be under the cap. I then beveled these holes where they protruded into the barrel channel creating a funnel effect so that when the pewter was poured it would travel up these holes, fill out the beveled portion, and lock the fore end cap to the wood around it. (see enclosed photo). Between the protruding screwheads in the front of the stock imbedded in the pewter and these 2 columns of pewter through the stock, the fore end should be permanently attached to the stock. After a few years, it has never moved. I attached the barrel and put the ram rod in place and then I wrapped the ramrod with several layers of masking tape where it would be inside the fore end cap to ensure that the ramrod would easily pass through the cap. You then use stiff cardboard to form a mold around the stock (taping it to the stock) and pour the pewter. Pewter melts at a very low temperature and solidifies very quickly so the cardboard is not burned. When the pewter is hardened, you remove the ramrod, then remove the barrel and finalize shaping and smoothing the pewter. Nothing to it. LOL

 

[drkalb]

Very nice job remodeling that Renegade! And congrats on the deer!! Is the ramrod curly maple?

 

[drkalb]

The first photo is my TC Renegade as I originally purchased it and then photos after I remodeled it. If I had to describe it I would call it a "Trade Rifle", i.e. something produced in the 1800s for trading to the Native Americans. It is not meant to be a reproduction or copy of any particular rifle such as a Leman, rather just a generic version of what I would call a Trade Rifle. I have always liked the Renegade but never really cared for its rather bland and austere appearance. It is 50 caliber and very accurate. I have also included photos of the three deer I have taken with it since redoing it. The peep sight is a CVA brand that I had the barrel drilled and tapped for. I simply cannot shoot any iron sight anymore other than a peep sight. My eyes must have an aperture type sight to keep everything in focus enough to hit what I am aiming at. All metal is browned and I deleted the finger rest on the trigger guard because I have never liked that style-each to his own. The fore end cap is poured pewter.

View attachment 120295View attachment 120296View attachment 120297View attachment 120298View attachment 120299View attachment 120300View attachment 120301View attachment 120302

I like so very much what you have done to your Renegade. For so long I have wanted to have an nose cap on my t/c cherokee just like what you have done. Also I would like to have a patch box like the Hawken t/c has, and why couldn't t/c have put a nice brass side plate opposite the lock on their rifles to dress them up some more, I would gladly pay for the difference. I like the candy stripped ramrod you added also, nice touch rather it's authentic or not I like it. One more thing I noticed you did was to set the the rear sight back further. Why don't all gun manufactures do that. The longer the sight radius, the more you improve accuracy. I wish I had some of your skills to do what you have done. If you know of someone you could recommend I would be very grateful. Nice job. Dan

 

[LSB]

I like so very much what you have done to your Renegade. For so long I have wanted to have an nose cap on my t/c cherokee just like what you have done. Also I would like to have a patch box like the Hawken t/c has, and why couldn't t/c have put a nice brass side plate opposite the lock on their rifles to dress them up some more, I would gladly pay for the difference. I like the candy stripped ramrod you added also, nice touch rather it's authentic or not I like it. One more thing I noticed you did was to set the the rear sight back further. Why don't all gun manufactures do that. The longer the sight radius, the more you improve accuracy. I wish I had some of your skills to do what you have done. If you know of someone you could recommend I would be very grateful. Nice job. Dan

Thank you for your kind words. I like the candy striped ramrod so I made it that way. Like you say, I don't know how "authentic" it is but beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say. As far as my "skills" go, I am practicing and learning as I go. The main thing I have learned is try to do things in steps so your current step can fix the problems you created with the previous step. The pouring of the nose cap was the only stressful part of this project. I put it off for a long time because I was afraid I would ruin the whole remodel. Don't be afraid to try it. Just take it slow and trust that it will turn out. This is my first attempt at pouring a nose cap and it worked out fine. If I can do it, you can do it. I personally can't think of anyone to recommend to you to do this work but I am sure there are a lot of gunsmiths out there who could do the work for you, but I think you would be happier if you did it yourself. Good luck!

 

[Willoughby]

I removed wood from the stock where the pewter fore end cap will be. I screwed 2 small screws in the front of the wood stock leaving about 1/3 of the screw exposed to serve as an anchor to help hold the fore end on. Then, I drilled 2 holes from the top to the bottom of the wood stock where it would be under the cap. I then beveled these holes where they protruded into the barrel channel creating a funnel effect so that when the pewter was poured it would travel up these holes, fill out the beveled portion, and lock the fore end cap to the wood around it. (see enclosed photo). Between the protruding screwheads in the front of the stock imbedded in the pewter and these 2 columns of pewter through the stock, the fore end should be permanently attached to the stock. After a few years, it has never moved. I attached the barrel and put the ram rod in place and then I wrapped the ramrod with several layers of masking tape where it would be inside the fore end cap to ensure that the ramrod would easily pass through the cap. You then use stiff cardboard to form a mold around the stock (taping it to the stock) and pour the pewter. Pewter melts at a very low temperature and solidifies very quickly so the cardboard is not burned. When the pewter is hardened, you remove the ramrod, then remove the barrel and finalize shaping and smoothing the pewter. Nothing to it. View attachment 120399LOL

where did you source the pewter ?