I was the highest bidder (actually the only bidder) on a new/unfired T/C Seneca in .45. I fell in love with the rifle at first sight :grin: and had to have it. Heres the rub, I don't know squat about the older T/C muzzleloaders. What's the lenght of the barrel? What's the twist? Can you even get parts anymore for 'em? Do they have the 'dreaded' QLA? What's a good hunting load in the .45's? Any thoughts or tips would be appreciated. Don't ask what I paid for it as it was too much! All I know about it is the serial number, maybe one of the T/C experts (Roundball???) could tell me the approximate year. S# is 29180.
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Well tell me about what I just bought!
- Thread starter JimG
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Thompson Center Senecas are steadily rizing in price.
The sad thing about it is, it is better if you don't shoot it???
Collectors.. you know???
The are fine shooting rifles.
You can still get parts for them, but you better stock up.
Good luck with your find.
Old Ford
The sad thing about it is, it is better if you don't shoot it???
Collectors.. you know???
The are fine shooting rifles.
You can still get parts for them, but you better stock up.
Good luck with your find.
Old Ford
I came across one of those about 5 years ago in perfect condition and the guy wanted $150 for it and I dickered him to $100. Now I here these little rifles are going up in price fast. Our local Muzzleloading shop offered a new TC 50cal for it. He did say that a local club is always looking for these for target shooting events. I'm keeping it. I find the thing will shoot about anything you want to stuff down the barrel and shoot it accuratly. I was also told to keep powder loads down to 60gr because you could split the stock. Don't know if thats true, but I shoot it often with 50gr and RB's. Nice little rifle,Enjoy!
I don't know if the Seneca's serial numbers were involved but years ago TC had a fire that destroyed all of of the Hawken serial numbers made prior to the fire.
As ernie mentioned, some of the older TC Hawkens were known to crack the stocks around the lock screw. I don't know if the Seneca was also troubled with this problem but I would think a .45 would have a low enough recoil that it shouldn't be a problem.
The Seneca was discontinued in 1987 and I'm pretty sure this was before the QLA was used.
I could be wrong though. :hmm:
As ernie mentioned, some of the older TC Hawkens were known to crack the stocks around the lock screw. I don't know if the Seneca was also troubled with this problem but I would think a .45 would have a low enough recoil that it shouldn't be a problem.
The Seneca was discontinued in 1987 and I'm pretty sure this was before the QLA was used.
I could be wrong though. :hmm:
Toomuch_36
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The T/C Seneca is a grand rifle, highly accurate with a very smart appearance. With their short trigger pull reach they also make a great rifle for yoounger shooters. They are highly sought after by competitors and collectors alike (especially in 36cal., or even better with both 36cal.and 45cal. barrels).
The only drawback I see is they were only offered in percussion :idunno: , great find and enjoy :thumbsup: .
Toomuch
.............
Shoot Flint
The only drawback I see is they were only offered in percussion :idunno: , great find and enjoy :thumbsup: .
Toomuch
.............
Shoot Flint
Toomuch_36
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This would be my first choice.JimG said:
Toomuch
...........
Shooy Flint
I traded into a .36 Seneca a couple of years ago. I had no real interest in it so I quickly sold it on Gunbroker for a modest profit. The same fire Zonie mentioned also ended production of the Seneca. A few Hawken parts will interchange but those would be the only parts you can get from T/C these days.
I've never used a .45 on deer but would have no qualms about doing so. With the maxi-ball over 70 grains of 2f or 60 of 3f it would beat the socks off the 44-40 cartridge which was the most popular deer rifle of its' day. Even a patched ball over those powder charges would be no joke at reasonable ranges. Only reason I've never used a .45 is that I've always had .50 and .54 caliber rifles to meet Colorado's minumum for elk. I'd use a .45 conical for elk if it were legal. After all, the 45/70 and 45/90 were considered top elk rifles in their day.
I've never used a .45 on deer but would have no qualms about doing so. With the maxi-ball over 70 grains of 2f or 60 of 3f it would beat the socks off the 44-40 cartridge which was the most popular deer rifle of its' day. Even a patched ball over those powder charges would be no joke at reasonable ranges. Only reason I've never used a .45 is that I've always had .50 and .54 caliber rifles to meet Colorado's minumum for elk. I'd use a .45 conical for elk if it were legal. After all, the 45/70 and 45/90 were considered top elk rifles in their day.
Walks Alone
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CoyoteJoe said:
That's incorrect!
The last year that TC cataloged the Seneca as a production model was 1986. The fire was over 10 years later on March 27, 1997.
Well, the fire might have been 10 years later but as it was after production of the Seneca ended I'm betting the serial numbers were lost in it.
Walks Alone
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Zonie,
Yep, it's common knowledge that TC lost all muzzleloader records in the fire.
WA
Yep, it's common knowledge that TC lost all muzzleloader records in the fire.
WA
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