45 &50 T/C Hawken rifles

[bobw]

Well I shot it 3 shots a little after sundown, 1st 3 shots with 70 grs in 2 1/4" at 50 yds off the bench. A heavier charge should see the impact lower. I never talked to the guy who put the low frt blade on or know what he was using for loads. He or whoever that built the gun from kit status browned the barrel and used sights that were more historic than what T/C sent with the kit. I was told T/C Hawkins from this time frame have a 1 in 48 twist for use of Maxi Balls as opposed to the round balls I tried which usually shoot well with a slower twist (1 in 60). I got $150 in it and don't figure I was poked in the butt yet, as I will peddle it if it can't be made to shoot ok.. bobw

[Kermit1945]

A LOT of years ago I had a Renegade that shot Maxis better than RBs, but was best with Lee R.E.A.L. slugs. You might try some.

[JH Durkee]

A LOT of years ago I had a Renegade that shot Maxis better than RBs, but was best with Lee R.E.A.L. slugs. You might try some.

Agree with Kermit on the LEE REAL bullet, shoots well. Make sure you use pure lead on these or they will be real hard to start.

[Don McDowell]

Bob I shot a TC just like that, back in the day. I used 50 grs of Goex 3f with a .490 ball patched in .015 ox yoke patches, and the best I ever did with it was split a card at 45 yds..
I shot the real bullet some, but didn't care much for it. I may have a few of those around, if I can find them I'll send you some.

[Ironramrod]

Bob, I have a couple of 1:48 T/C barrels and they shoot good w/ rd. balls and pillow ticking patches; a .50 cal. and a .54 cal. barrel. With round balls I run 80 gr. 2F in the .50, and 90 gr. in the .54, and both shoot well. I've shot a pile of beaver w/ head shots using loads, and they are superb. The pelts were outstanding; 2 eyeholes, 2 earholes, and 2 cal. size bullet holes. My guesstimate would be a 70 gr. load 2F in your .45 should perform for you in a variety of shooting.

As an aside I've found that rd. balls will drift about 1" for every mph of crosswind @ 100 yds. w/ these loads; the big conicals (e.g. maxiballs) about 1/4-1/3 that much w/ heavier loads, and they are much better for hunting big game.

Regards
IR

[bobw]

Thanks guys for advice, going to try some of it for sure. bobw

[Caprock]

We used to define a good starter rifle as the TC Hawken. We weren't that snobbishe but see its barely pre-1840 correct and so everyone strived to own a custom shooter and especially build a custom longrifle.

Well nowadays I've taken to grab up any TC Hawken or Renegage in pristine shape that also has a shiny, slick barrel. Why? Cause TC doesn't even list it in their catalog anymore and thats sad! The Buck Rogers guns haven't finally won out.

[bobw]

Bob, I have a couple of 1:48 T/C barrels and they shoot good w/ rd. balls and pillow ticking patches; a .50 cal. and a .54 cal. barrel. With round balls I run 80 gr. 2F in the .50, and 90 gr. in the .54, and both shoot well. I've shot a pile of beaver w/ head shots using loads, and they are superb. The pelts were outstanding; 2 eyeholes, 2 earholes, and 2 cal. size bullet holes. My guesstimate would be a 70 gr. load 2F in your .45 should perform for you in a variety of shooting.

As an aside I've found that rd. balls will drift about 1" for every mph of crosswind @ 100 yds. w/ these loads; the big conicals (e.g. maxiballs) about 1/4-1/3 that much w/ heavier loads, and they are much better for hunting big game.

Regards
IR

Thanks IR, took the the 70 gr advice with the 45 and prb it's ready to go. 80 grs and a prb in the 50 seems to work also, I put an original frt sight on it and with a ctr hold it's putting them in the bull at 50 yds. 3 went into an inch at 50 yds today, so now I'll play with how much to hold up the frt sight at farther ranges. Thanks for the help. bobw

[Kurt]

I got a .54 T/C Renegade for my Son when they first came out because it was short and lightweight that he could handle and it shot the Maxies very good. I made a lube die for my Star lube sizer because Star said they would be too thin and crac when I put the pressure to them. I turned one down from cold roll and I still have it. Those maxies worked real fine for a fast follow up shot and shot very good.

[bobw]

I am using KIK FFg until I can get some Old Eynsford to try. Of course my rd ball load is good enuf as is. I do have some Buffalo bullets ,hornady Great Plains bullets and some T/c Maxi balls. They all seem a really tight fit and look to be a problem getting loaded fast . Lot to learn and experience yet from these 2 T/C Hawkens. bobw