TC Hawkens .50 newbie

Bongos · May 18, 2002, 02:39 PM

Hello Gents,

I just traded for a TC Hawkens .50, I was always intrigue with the old black powders guns and this opportunity spark an interest. In CA, it's hard to own any rifle that doesn't bring attention. I traded a CUR2 Romanian to a guy I know in Arizona, what I got was the TC and $250, I don't know if it was a good trade or not, I don't see any CUR2's that often. Anyways, I have the T/C and stuff that comes with it, looks like a powder flask, bullets, caps, and something that looks like a lighter but is very large. Is there any specific sites just for muzzleloaders you guys can recommend? Any info you experts can advise is appreciated...thanks

**4V50 Gary** · May 19, 2002, 06:35 PM

Well, I tried posting a response earlier this morning but in my haste hit the start new thread button. Oh well.

Spend time learning the gun. First buy yourself some water soluable machine oil and mix it 1:8 with distilled water. It's called moose milk and you use it to lube your patches and wipe down your bore.

Second, get a selection of balls that are .490 and .495. Weigh them and separate them according to weight (yes, even swaged balls will vary). You also want to get linen (go to a fabric shop) of varying thicknesses. Cut them into 1" strips and roll them up into roll. Stuff them down into a 35 mm film canister and wet them down with moose milk.

Here's what you're going to do at the range. You're going to fire lots of 5 balls with specific powder charges and linen thicknesses. Scrubb out the bore every five shots. You're going to develop a matrix that will show you what ball, linen thickness and powder charge your gun likes best. It's going to take the better part of the day but when you're done, that TC is going to shoot very well for you.

Once you've finished with the load development, then sight it in for 75 yards. Anything under/over is Kaintuck windage and you have to eyeball it to determind the hold. 75 yards works great for hunting and for blackpowder rendezvous competitions.

Good luck, good shooting and have fun!

Sixgun · May 20, 2002, 05:39 PM

You ought to check out the Nation Muzzle Loading Rifle Association

NMLRA

BigG · May 21, 2002, 10:23 AM

T/C will give you a copy of their owner's manual if you call/write to them. The book goes over the basics of blackpowder pretty well. The address is on the barrel if I'm not mistaken.

Bongos · May 24, 2002, 08:04 PM

Thanks for all the reply, I'll try it this weekend

May 18, 2002, 02:39 PM	#1
Bongos Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2000 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 227	TC Hawkens .50 newbie Hello Gents, I just traded for a TC Hawkens .50, I was always intrigue with the old black powders guns and this opportunity spark an interest. In CA, it's hard to own any rifle that doesn't bring attention. I traded a CUR2 Romanian to a guy I know in Arizona, what I got was the TC and $250, I don't know if it was a good trade or not, I don't see any CUR2's that often. Anyways, I have the T/C and stuff that comes with it, looks like a powder flask, bullets, caps, and something that looks like a lighter but is very large. Is there any specific sites just for muzzleloaders you guys can recommend? Any info you experts can advise is appreciated...thanks Last edited by Bongos; May 18, 2002 at 08:47 PM.

May 19, 2002, 06:35 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,829	Well, I tried posting a response earlier this morning but in my haste hit the start new thread button. Oh well. Spend time learning the gun. First buy yourself some water soluable machine oil and mix it 1:8 with distilled water. It's called moose milk and you use it to lube your patches and wipe down your bore. Second, get a selection of balls that are .490 and .495. Weigh them and separate them according to weight (yes, even swaged balls will vary). You also want to get linen (go to a fabric shop) of varying thicknesses. Cut them into 1" strips and roll them up into roll. Stuff them down into a 35 mm film canister and wet them down with moose milk. Here's what you're going to do at the range. You're going to fire lots of 5 balls with specific powder charges and linen thicknesses. Scrubb out the bore every five shots. You're going to develop a matrix that will show you what ball, linen thickness and powder charge your gun likes best. It's going to take the better part of the day but when you're done, that TC is going to shoot very well for you. Once you've finished with the load development, then sight it in for 75 yards. Anything under/over is Kaintuck windage and you have to eyeball it to determind the hold. 75 yards works great for hunting and for blackpowder rendezvous competitions. Good luck, good shooting and have fun! __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 21, 2002, 10:23 AM	#4
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	T/C will give you a copy of their owner's manual if you call/write to them. The book goes over the basics of blackpowder pretty well. The address is on the barrel if I'm not mistaken. __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

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May 20, 2002, 05:39 PM	#3
Sixgun Junior member Join Date: May 17, 2002 Posts: 50	You ought to check out the Nation Muzzle Loading Rifle Association NMLRA

May 24, 2002, 08:04 PM	#5
Bongos Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2000 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 227	Thanks for all the reply, I'll try it this weekend