Traditions vs. T\C

[kbbgood]

How does the Traditions compare to T\C hawkins rifles.

 

[buttonbuck]

my first ML was a traditions back in 1998, I bought a renegade in 1999, The renegade was just plain better. I do have a traditions Crockett pistol and would have considered the rifle if I had not bought a green mountain barrel in 32 cal for the renegade. I also have hawkens I like them just fine. I would buy a used TC over a traditions.

 

[Amikee]

Welcome aboard. First, let me tell you one thing. If you are thinking about a black powder rifle, do yourself a favor and save up the money. If you start with production guns, vey soon you will find yourself wanting/craving/dreaming/etc for a semi custom or custom one. I've been there and bought 4 production rifles, and one semi custom one, and one custom afterwards. It was a lot of money. For those four productions, say only 400.00 a piece, it's 1600.00!!!!!! You can get a nice custom for this kind of money. Don't kid yourself, you will spend it. Many people here has done it over and over again. Then, if you have a opportunity and there is a deal (there is always a deal) get a production.
In production line I had: percussion Investarms Hawken in .50- deadly accurate-never let me down.
Two percussion TC Hawkens in .50 cal- never let me down.
One percussion Traditions Pennsylvania in .50 cal- love it the most because of the fullstock- haven't shot it much because I just got her recently.
My semi custom and custom are flintlocks for sex purposes only. Those just drive me nuts. So romantic and such.
But I love my percussions better for hunting. Just a personal choice.

TCs are wonderful rifles. As well as customer service. They shoot accurate and are nicely finished (based on what I had). My Traditions is a very pretty finished rifle in percussion and so far no problems with it. With either one of them I had absolutely no problems. Roundball from here used to have a collection of TCs and he was swearing by them. Got a lots of deer too.
Let me predict what will happen in your case. You will buy a TC Hawken (standard 1:48 twist). You will get good groups.
Then you will buy a Green Mountain barrel for it to get even more accuracy with slower twist (perchaps 1:60 or so).
Then, you will find yourself wandering if swamped or whichever barrels would be even more accurate, easier to clean, etc. Then you'll start noticing the wood, you will want a curly maple with those evil sexy seductive absolutely gorgeus stripes dancing in the sun. Then inlays, and carving. And fast(er) lock.

Are you still reading?

Good.

In short- get yourself a rifle of your dreams, because you will loose the money if you go in different direction.

TC are better built guns in my opinion. But only in comparable type, like Hawken for example. My PA from Traditions is no slouch either. I don't have any other guns from them so cannot really give you exact comparison.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Welcome to Addiction.

Michael from CT

 

[Richard McCullough]

I now have both in my gun cabinet, a Traditions Deer Hunter Scout 50 cal and a T/C Renegade with 54 cal barrel and Green Mountain 58 Cal barrel. The T/C for a production gun is the better of the two. But I have had no issues with the Traditions, and would buy another if the right one came along.

One flavor you didn't mention but worth a looksee is Lyman, either Great Plains or Trade rifle. I wish I still had my Great Plains 54.

 

[M. De Land]

I started with a TC brass mounted .50 cal Hawken 40 years ago, ringed the barrel about the third year I had it and replaced it with a .54 from Douglas. The Douglas barrel has been wonderfully accurate and I have used it a bunch for target shooting. There are better locks than the TC's have but they are reliable and mine has been going now for four decades without a hitch.
I got rid of the double set and rebuilt mine to a simple trigger and moved it to the back of the trigger guard. I never have liked reaching for the front firing trigger on double set style set triggers. I made a close couple double set for my hy-wall BP Cartridge gun and I like it best of all.
The only double set triggers I like is when the firing trigger is in the rear like the TC Patriot pistol uses.
I have seen may TC originals and simi-customs still going and believe they have been a major force in the reintroduction of muzzle loading in the last four decades.MD

 

[necchi]

The TC is a better rifle out of the gate.
However;
The only flaws with the Traditions is the stamped parts used for the lock and triggers. If your handy and fully dis-assemble the lock and the triggers and do the finish polishing the factory doen't do they're just fine. The Traditions barrel is just as good a shooter as the TC.

Traditions uses a Drum Breech that's different than the Paten breech TC uses and they have a habit of getting plugged if the shooter isn'y carefull how he cleans and stored the gun.

TC has/had it's lifetime warrenty going for it but since they where bought out by Smith and Wesson they have tightened the screw alot on what's "Warrenty".

For someone with a little experiance the Traditions is still a fine shooter.

Good shooters win matches, and most good shooters have alot of practice and have stepped up to custom or semi custom guns, but I believe you'd be hard pressed to find any good shooter that hasn't cut his teeth on a Traditions or CVA.

If I had both guns before me at the same price and condition and both the TC and Traditions had a 1-48 twist I'd opt for the TC.
If the Traditions had a 1-60/1-66 twist I'd grab the Traditions.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I definately prefer the T.C.s for quality, But in percusion the traditions are an acceptable quality.I don't like their flints! :idunno:

 

[kbbgood]

Well I am considering the Traditions St. Louis Hawkins. Would realy prefer the TC seneca in 45 cal though. Still looking for the 45 cals, I just want one. Everyone seams to have the 50 or 54 cal's. I had a renegade years ago when they were new. Wish they still made them.

 

[cynthialee]

Don't have a Traditions Hawken, but I absolutely love my T/C Hawken.
T/C customer service is not what it used to be though.
just throwing that out there

 

[Pork Chop]

Used Renegades are pretty easy to come by. I have picked up a couple.

 

[cowpoke1955]

I have to agree with RichardM. Lyman has a lot to offer. I have two .54 Great Plains Rifles, one percussion and one flint. I had the percussion for over 30 years with no problems. The GPR has a walnut stock and a 32" barrel with a 1 in 60" twist, which is deadly accurate out to 100 yards with a patch round ball. If you want a 28" barrel with a 1 in 48" twist, like the Traditions and T/C, then look at the Lyman Trade Rifle. The Trade Rifle has a walnut stock, Traditions has a walnut stained hardwood stock. The Lyman comes with a fixed and adjustable rear sight. The other two only offer adjustable rear sights. Traditions front and rear sights are made of black plastic. As for price, the Trade Rifle is less than Traditions and the GPR, which is the best looking rifle of them all, is only a little more than the Traditions. T/C is jyst way over priced. The T/C only offers a .50 caliber, while the others offer both .50 and .54 calibers. I feel the Lymans offer the best buy for your money. Check out the Lyman line at DNR Sports: http://www.dnrsports.com/muzzleloading/muzzleloader-accessories/rifles-kits . Wish you luck :thumbsup:

 

[nkbj]

Another 2 cents worth of ifs...

I have both Traditions and TCs. The Traditions are good for the money rifles if you buy used and get a good one at a good price. Less worries if you just go American made and get a TC while good used ones can be had at a good price.

 

[bubba.50]

t/c hawkens are common & can be had in good condition for reasonable prices. if ya don't luck into a 45cal right off the bat ya can keep an eye on awful-bay for an extra barrel at a price yer willin' to pay. as with any used bp gun check'em good for condition as there's a lot of pyrodex junkies out there. modern rifle shooters buy'em to extend their huntin' seasons but don't know or want to learn how to clean'em. luck to ya & have a good'en, bubba.

 

[S.Kenton]

I have had two T/C Hawkens and two Traditions, they were shenendoha and a Pennsylvania Rifle. Both of my Traditions were not as good of quality as Either of my T/Cs (I.E. locks, fit and finish on the stock) . I've also had a couple of Lyman Great Plains rifles that were NICE. Also I recently saw a Pedersoli Blue Ridge Rifle that I really liked.
I guess I'm going a little off topic.. but my point is to shop around a little, shoulder a couple of these rifles... then make your decision.

 

[F.G. Ford]

A Traditions rifle is good, if it is less than $100,
because that is about all you will get for it, when you tire of it in two weeks.
Go with TC or better yet Lyman!
Old Ford

 

[Rat Trapper]

Go with the TC way better quality and in this day and age of the inline muzzle loader the traditional TC rifles can now be found used in good shape and at very affordable prices.

 

[ebiggs1]

How does the Traditions compare to T\C hawkins rifles.

They don't compare! :shocked2: They are not even on the same planet. :grin: Even in today's guns, it is still a fact.
The order is:
1:TC Hawken or Renegade
2:Lyman GPR
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:CVA
10:Traditions

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I have been shooting my TC Hawken for over thirty-five years. Very satisfied with it. Not a lick of problems. Solid rifle. :thumbsup:

 

[jerem0621]

How does the Traditions compare to T\C hawkins rifles.

They don't compare! :shocked2: They are not even on the same planet. :grin: Even in today's guns, it is still a fact.
The order is:
1:TC Hawken or Renegade
2:Lyman GPR
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:CVA
10:Traditions

Under-rated post IMHO.. Sticky worthy.

 

[hardtimes]

How does the Traditions compare to T\C hawkins rifles.

They don't compare! :shocked2: They are not even on the same planet. :grin: Even in today's guns, it is still a fact.
The order is:
1:TC Hawken or Renegade
2:Lyman GPR
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:CVA
10:Traditions

Under-rated post IMHO.. Sticky worthy.

X2 Agree 100%