Used T/C Hawken

[squirejohn]

Robert: My first ML was a .50c TC Hawken I purchased in kit form in the mid 1980's in anticipation of a ML season for deer. This is the "old" style with the comparatively straight cock spur. I never could get it to shoot round balls with any degree of reasonable accuracy. As I recall accuracy was about an 8" group at 60yds. It wouldn't shoot maxi balls or maxi hunters either. It was accurate with buffalo bullets. Soon after I purchased a GMB drop in barrel with 1/72 twist for shooting roundballs. It was a long, long, long time before I found a load that would shoot accurate. I had to use 90g of 2f with a .500 ball and teflon coated pillow ticking patch driven down the bore with a mallet.

This would shoot "clover leafs" at 60yds; every other combination I tried, and there were a lot of them, resulted in targets that looked like it was shot by a drug-crazed loonie with a 9mm.

Others I know have had good results with their original TC barrels. Also my .45 GMB in my Yorktown from Cabin Creek with a .451 ball 50g 3f and .007 patch is very accurate. Go figure?

 

[Robert58]

Thanks for the replies. I will be shooting it for the first time this weekend, but not at over 25 yards. On the 21st I will go out to the local Blackpowder Club and try it out to 75 yards. I will let everyone know how it does.

Robert

 

[Robert58]

I shot my rifle for the first time today. It puts them in there with 50 grains and 90 grains at 25 yards. I must have got most of the rust out of the barrel. It doesn't seem to have any rough spots in it now.

What is the screw on the left side of the barrel for? Is it suppose to come out for cleaning? I tried to remove it and it went crooked so I screwed it back in. I hope it doesn't plow out the next time I shoot my rifle.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Zonie]

A lot of people think the little screw is to aid in cleaning and if you can get it out, it does allow more water to be flushed thru the flash hole into the bucket (at least that's my way of cleaning the bore). If you can't get it out, it really doesn't matter as long as you have pulled the nipple before you start flushing.

IMO the real reason it is there is to allow the manufacturer to drill the flash hole that connects the nipple cavity with the patent breech cavity at the bottom of the barrel. On a CNC machine it is cheap to drill and tap the hole and the plug is equally cheap.
If you can get it out it doesn't require very much torque to tighten it and it does serve as a nice handy way of dribbling fine powder into the flash-hole if you have a main powder charge that is damp and wont fire easily.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

 

[Robert58]

Thanks "zonie

I called T/C today and they said about the same thing. They are going to send me an Owners manual for free. Nice peolple to do business with, I told them that I got it used and they said they were glad I was happy with it.

Robert

 

[Zonie]

T/C always stands behind what they make. They never say "that's not our problem" or "we only stand behind new guns" or "talk to the dealer, we just make um".
Not that I'm suggesting anyone do the same thing but a friend dropped his T/C gun and damaged the T/C Scope on it (a Contender in .45-70 would you believe?).
He sent the scope back with a letter explaining exactly what happened and asking them if they would fix it and send him the bill for the parts. They sent him a new scope---no cost! THATS the kind of thing which really builds up a companys image in my mind and it's why if anyone is trying to choose between a T/C and another brand I will always remommend the T/C.

 

[Robert58]

I am real happy with mine. All I want to do is get that funny looking stain off the stock and refinish it dark walnut.

Robert

 

[hardykev]

Robert,

I wanted to thank you for sharing your story about buying your TC Hawken. It planted a seed. I went looking today and had the same luck, I found an older Hawken (no QLA barrel)for $100 out the door.

I was incredibly pleased. Some rust in the barrel and I will have to send it to TC to have the stock replaced, but I couldn't be happier.

 

[Robert58]

Kevin,
That sounds great, but why are you having to have the stock replaced, and at what cost?

Robert

 

[hardykev]

Robert,

The stock is cracking accross the toe of the butt and would require some significant work to repair effectively. The crack appears to be from internal weakness, as there are no marks from a blow or abuse.

I called TC and their reputation of service excellence is well deserved. They stated that it would be repaired free. I am to send in the complete rifle and it will be fitted with a new stock.

They have just gained a loyal customer.

 

[roundball]

I've been with them for 15 years so far...their service and support is unbeatable.

A tiny 1" hair line crack began developing with the grain from one of the holes in a wedge pin escutcheon up to the edge of the barrel bad...quite certain it would not have actually caused any problem but in asking them about it, they said just send it back.

And it was one of their limited production special runs of commemorative TC Hawken "Cougar" stocks that probably cost $300 by itself but they replaced it without hesitation...AND...with a complete new set of furniture installed!

I have a houseful of TC Hawken percussions and
flintlocks...they got me for life