Thompson 45 cal

[CUMMINS]

I am looking at a 45 caliber thompson hawken, I usually prefer larger calibers, but I got to wondering the barrel size of a thompson 45 and if it would shoot standard .458-.459 size bullets used in 45-70s and such.

 

[ord sgt]

The bullets for the .45-70 are larger than the bore size of the T/C. I use a .440 ball with a .010 patch and get very good results. Start with 45 grains of FFFg. Then work the load up or down to get your best results.

 

[jercon]

I have 2 Thompson center .45 Hawkins Flints use a .445 round ball .015 patch and 90gr 3f .or the .45 thompson .45 Maxie ball with .90gr 3f

 

[roundball]

I am looking at a 45 caliber thompson hawken, I usually prefer larger calibers, but I got to wondering the barrel size of a thompson 45 and if it would shoot standard .458-.459 size bullets used in 45-70s and such.

They should probably 'physically' fit...TC's Maxi-Hunters have a .450" band around their bottoms, and a .458" band around their tops, which are cut through by the rifling at short start time...and assuming that all works, the next question will be whether or not they'll spin fast enough to stabilize out of a shallow groove 1:48" TC barrel.

My personal experience with TC .45/255grn Maxi-Hunters (not maxi-balls) is that they are tack drivers in my TC 1:48" standard barrels with full power deer hunting loads and an Oxyoke wad over the powder...considering the .45/.50/.54cal conicals I tried...the .45/255grn MH is the only conical I ever got that kind of terrific accuracy out of...and a 255grn MH is almost the same as a 270grn .58cal round ball.

 

[Idaho Ron]

My rifle is a .458 and I shoot 45-70 bullets. Mine is a 1-18 twist. You won't get them down your barrel unless you size them. You can go down to .454, and then to .452, and then to .451
You might have to go smaller yet depending on the dia. Ron