Thompson Center Muzzleloaders Pros & Cons

[nkbj]

About flinter Renegades, one .58 sent up for round ball and one .52 set up for long heavy bullets.
Love 'em!

The downside of TC's engineering was the propensity for the stock to split opposite side from the lock. That happens when the barrel is improperly fitted due to manufacturing tolerances adding up the wrong way against the design. That can put the lock area of the stock in tension across the grain (the weak direction) and every time the gun goes off you're delivering it a karate chop. I've fixed the resulting type of crack before and made it stronger than when it left the factory. Just something to be aware of.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

You either loved them or hated them! My opinion, most everything about them was a compromise. They did create a whole new cottage industry of drop in parts to replace the original parts. I knew a guy who over a period of a couple years he replaced every part on his TC with the exception of the butt plate, trigger guard, nose cap and patch box.

 

[Eric Krewson]

Sent you a PM Cullie

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

If I had a T/C barrel that didn’t shoot well I’d opt for a rebore to the next caliber up. Less $$$….the barrel will align with everything, and accuracy will likely be that of the more expensive replacement barrel.

 

[mikesto44]

I've got two both Hawkins / Hawkins a 45 an 50. Both locks will not hold at either full or half cock anymore. I'm a flintlock guy. These are percussion. Anyone got any suggestions how to fix them ? Both locks have spring mechanisms.

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

I've got two both Hawkins / Hawkins a 45 an 50. Both locks will not hold at either full or half cock anymore. I'm a flintlock guy. These are percussion. Anyone got any suggestions how to fix them ? Both locks have spring mechanisms.

Spring or angle of tumbler notches are worn.

 

[LME]

T.C. deserves a pat on the back for making it easy to obtain a M.L. rifle. They have proven themselves time and time again shooting targets and game. Is it the best M.L made? I doubt it but if you take care of it, it will serve you well.

 

[Kansas Jake]

On the lock not holding also check your set trigger isn’t too light. Also check the sear isn’t broken from dry firing at half cock. Sometimes it can chip it. It is my understanding TC in the early days said you could do it until they replaced a bunch of locks.

 

[mikesto44]

Kansas it's never been dry fired. But I will take you an Chucks advice and check things out. I sure do like a flintlock better than these spring contraptions.
Both have been really good guns. But like me their getting old an worn out...

 

[COTNTOP]

I never saw a BP rifle before TC started production in my area. Still today if you see one it will likely be TC or CVA. TC really got things rolling back in the day but now the younger generation have moved to inlines around here.

 

[smokepolehall]

Con patient BP, still better than CVA & Pedersorry.

 

[Salty]

There is a guy on FB named Deester Bees who had worked at TC and will make a barrel. His FB page is Thompson Center muzzleloader enthusiasts I think.
Also Bobby Hoyt will rebore a barrel.
(717) 642-6696

 

[kelljp]

I've got two both Hawkins / Hawkins a 45 an 50. Both locks will not hold at either full or half cock anymore. I'm a flintlock guy. These are percussion. Anyone got any suggestions how to fix them ? Both locks have spring mechanisms.

Take them off and spray them with brake cleaner, than apply light oil on moving parts.
Usually repairs about 60% of the locks I've have had that exhibitted the described problem.

 

[kelljp]

Never meant a TC I didn't like.

 

[nkbj]

To me the Renegades are a modern day analog to the "jaeger" hunting rifles of old. Light on finesse, lotsa meat. First time I saw the eruption of gore when someone snap shot a running animal with a .54 Renegade, OK, I understood.
Same for the New Englander. Got a 3rd hand pitted spare left handed New Englander barrel that needs a fast twist .458 bore. Either that or I'm gonna plunk the bucks on some serious glass for the .52 bore fast twist 38" Renegade that is affectionately named "Navarone".

 

[Whiteoak15]

Been looking at those but scared to order one. Didn’t mean to derail a thread guys. I’ll look for the want ad section. Thanks

Get Bob Hoyt to rebore it to .54 and you will never be sorry. I've had a .54 rebored to .58 by him and it is wonderful!

 

[mikesto44]

Not positive but I heard Mr. Hoyt is retiring and not taking any more orders. Anyone else heard this ?

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

Not positive but I heard Mr. Hoyt is retiring and not taking any more orders. Anyone else heard this ?

Lettuce hope not