45 &50 T/C Hawken rifles

[bobw]

I traded a scope and some cash for a used but in real nice shape 45 T/C Hawken last spring and last week picked up a T/C Hawken 50 in nice cond. Want to use 45 (.440") and 50(.490") round balls and patched. Going to use FFg KIK, any you guys BTDT with some charge recommendations? bobw

[Don McDowell]

Way back in the 70's I shot goex 3f in my tc hawkens gun. 50 grs in the 50 for target work and 80 grs would put a ball thru any deer ever built out to about as far as you could hit one. One fella I shot with quite a bit shot 30 grs of 3f for target work, he usually did pretty good, but you could see the ball going to the target when the range got past 50 yds.

[Kurt]

Bob.

Last year a guy came up to me at the range with a left hand TC 50 cal Renegade with a bunch of extras like a old can of Goex and a brass powder flask, cleaning kit leather gun sleeve and a possible bag and some other things.
He said I'm getting too old to shoot this anymore would you give me $180.00 for this? I said no but I will give you $225.00.
I really don't have much use for a left handed ML but this rifle looks like it was just unpacked new.
Kurt

[Nuclearcricket]

Way back in the 70's I shot goex 3f in my tc hawkens gun. 50 grs in the 50 for target work and 80 grs would put a ball thru any deer ever built out to about as far as you could hit one. One fella I shot with quite a bit shot 30 grs of 3f for target work, he usually did pretty good, but you could see the ball going to the target when the range got past 50 yds.

I go along with Don, I have a TC 50 flinter and use 50 gr for target and 70 to hunt with. I can not however make any comments on the effectiveness of the load on the deer here in PA as the largest thing I have been able to shoot in muzzle loader season was a gray squirrel. It did do a wonderful job on him, nice head shot out of a big oak tree.
Sam

[bobw]

Thanks guys I've got some FFFg Goex and will try that too. How tight did you patch? bobw

[Don McDowell]

I always used a pillow tic patch, or the Ox Yoke .015

[Kurt]

Wal-Mart has some good .012" pillow ticking and .017 cotton twill.
The twill is a little stiff but if you're having a blow by problem with a ball that is a little small in diameter this will stop it.
I get a yard and throw it in the washer and wash it first this will soften it up a little and makes patching very good.

Kurt

[Ironramrod]

Bob, I have 2 kit T/C Hawken stocks and 5 interchangeable barrels. For the rd. ball loads I shoot 70 gr. Goex 2F in the .45, and 80 gr. Goex 2f in 2 of the .50's; I shoot pillow ticking for patches handled the same as Kurt said.

Sounds like you have a nice rifle, too.
Regards

[bobw]

Yeah the 45 looked like it had only been handled and is the factory finished gun whereas the 50 was a kit gun and the guy who built it wasn't the best on the wood but he did brown the barrel and put period type irons on it. I shot it last nite and put 3 balls in 2 1/4" at 50 yds but about 12" high maybe going to 80 grs will lower it some. I'll find a load it likes first then change the sights to accomodate the load. bobw

[Kermit1945]

Were you shootong offhand? If so, you need to bench it to really see what your gun and load is doing. If that WAS bench shooting, I'd be pretty disappointed.