1975 .50 TC Hawken

I've decided to take old Hawken out of mothballs. I haven't fired it since 1983, so it needs some work. I also need a breech plug for percussion cap. My concerns:
Lead free Calif.
Powder
Accuracy
Question: Does anyone still use one of these and what are pros and cons compared to modern muzzleloaders?

Thanks in advance

Chris

Your rifle has a 15/16" across the flats barrel.
Is your gun a flinter? There are some drop in barrels available. The ones I use are from Green Mountain barrels. This is my 45 cal deer and antelope gun.




I have both inlines and side locks. These old guns are easier to clean. The inlines are a pain in the butt to clean. As far as accuracy goes I will put my side locks up against any inlines. The barrels come off and are just simple.
The con is these guns are heavier.
But the heft is actually a benefit when it comes to being accurate.

These TC's can be fitted with better sights. Mine all have Lyman 57 SML peep sights. They also have Lyman 17AML globe sights with lee shavers inserts.




The globe front sight has a removable insert. I use Lee Shavers inserts. These are BPCR inserts and are used out to 1000 yards. My son like a crosshair, I like a single post and bead. This is one of my 50's




Many guys buy a inline then struggle to figure out if it is legal in their state or other states.
Mine is legal in every western state I would ever hunt in. Mine can accurately shoot out to 300 yards.

This video might be of some help to you.
https://youtu.be/ibU-5uCuy_I

In this video I tested my guns at high elevation to make sure that they shoot where they should.
https://youtu.be/JmXOFFWCK_0

In my opinion you own the perfect muzzleloader. You just need to turn it into a Hot Rod.

LAST EDITED ON May-17-19 AT 07:23PM (MST)[p]Nice post

If you dont mind me asking what slug you like best? I have a 50 from a kit, suppose the twist is the same? I apologize if you answered those in the videos, i didn't open them yet.

Bluehair
Splitting my time time between the winter and summer range......
May you live long enough to cash in those preference points. Amen

If its from 1975, it could very well have a Sharon barrel. Looks for a spade stamp on it somewhere.

www.FrontierMuzzleloading.com

>LAST EDITED ON May-17-19
>AT 07:23?PM (MST)
>
>Nice post
>
>If you dont mind me asking
>what slug you like best?
> I have a 50
>from a kit, suppose the
>twist is the same?
>I apologize if you answered
>those in the videos, i
>didn't open them yet.
>
>Bluehair
>Splitting my time time between the
>winter and summer range......
>May you live long enough to
>cash in those preference points.
>Amen


I use a paper patched Lee 500S&W bullet.

>If its from 1975, it could
>very well have a Sharon
>barrel. Looks for a spade
>stamp on it somewhere.
>
>www.FrontierMuzzleloading.com

It does have a spade under barrel..what does that mean?

Idahoron, Thanks for all the great info. I'll be sure to look those items you recommend.

I see sling in one of the photos, which do you use?

Any recommendations for a lead free bullet?

That older gun you have will surely have a 1 in 48" twist, not the 1 in 28" twist that most drop-in barrels are. Thor has a copper bullet. You just need to find one that will fit. From my experience over the years is that twist will shoot either round balls and conical bullets fair, but not excellent. Once in a while you will find a gun that is very accurate, but not usually.

>That older gun you have will
>surely have a 1 in
>48" twist, not the 1
>in 28" twist that most
>drop-in barrels are. Thor
>has a copper bullet.
>You just need to find
>one that will fit.
>From my experience over the
>years is that twist will
>shoot either round balls and
>conical bullets fair, but not
>excellent. Once in a
>while you will find a
>gun that is very accurate,
>but not usually.

My bigger problem right now is finding a 11/16 breech plug for it. Track of wolf is 8 to 12 weeks out on that, but might be the only option at this point.

I have a TC Hawken in .50cal that I bought in 1978...It has a 1 in 48 inch barrel twist especially designed for bullets..the Maxi Balls were way more accurate than round balls..and I started using buffalo bullets which were an improved Minie Ball with a concave base..I've killed 5 bucks over the years with mine..as for copper bullets you are screwed...best advice...get the hell out of Californica while the gettin's good..