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Knothead

Knothead

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Was gifted a TC Hawken 45 caliber rifle yesterday by a guy who retired a few years ago and has given up hunting and spends his time either fishing or woodworking. He purchased the rifle back in the early to mid 80's. Rifle looks like it's been well taken care of, but then again, there is no way to look through the bore. He said he cleaned it real well when he put it up——YEARS ago. Probably 10 or more.
(1) do any of you hunt with a similar rifle, and if so, can you even still find 45 cal Buffalo Bullets or similar pre-lubed conicals? I know 45's went out in popularity several years ago.
(2) assuming I can find ammo, what cleaning regime would you employ to ensure the rifle would be safe to shoot?

I hunted with and have taken many deer with my TC Hawken .50 cal using T/C Maxi-Balls (like one on the pic below) and 90gr of loose FFFg many many times but that was back in the 80' and early 90's. I am familiar with the cleaning technique of these rifles but I'm just wondering what, if anything, would be different in one that hasn't been fired in many years.
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If you can find the bullets your wanting and I'm sure you can....first step is run the ram rod down the barrel and confirm it's not loaded... sometimes people forget....then I would use the foaming bore cleaner for muzzleloaders...Amazing stuff...leave the nipple on and cover it with a patch...lower the hammer to hold the patch...stand rifle up in corner and apply bore foaming cleaner... after 30 minutes look and see if the patch over nipple is wet with bore cleaner...if not....remove nipple to investigate... sometimes multiple applications of the foaming cleaner are required.....if it looks clean towards end of bore...and around nipple...with no corrosion...it's probably ok....once it's confirmed clean and functional I wouldn't hesitate to shoot it.
 
I have the same rifle in 50 cal, based on the serial number information I can find mine was made in 1972. I use 80 grains of 777 with T/C 250 grain sabot, which shoots surprising well! I pull the barrel, take over the kitchen sink, and use soapy water (Dawn dishwashing detergent) and scrub with patches. I have a 54 cal White Mountain Carbine that I shoot the old Buffalo Bullets Ball-et. I ran out of 50 cal and switched, they shot well in this old workhorse also. Dixie Gun Works is a good place to find bullets and round balls...
 
I've got a 50 cal and although it's been a long time ago, I seem to remember that the breech end of my barrel would unscrew. Had to put in a vice and put a wrench on it. Might be tough to break loose if it's been sitting a long time, but you could look for the faint line between barrel and breech end to see if it might unscrew.
Anyone else ever done this?
 
I bought a borescope years ago. I've also used it to check automotive cylinder bores, etc by entering thru the sparkplug hole. This is the one I bought.
Teslong Rifle Borescope, Bore Camera Gun Cleaning Camera - Fits .20 Caliber & Larger-Hunting Shooting Firearms Visual Barrel Inspection Tool w/3 Right-Angle Mirrors and Carrying Case(45inch-Flexible) https://a.co/d/efuAty6
 
Check the rod to see if the previous owner marked the empty line, something that has been recommended for a bit. I too purchased one of the cheap borescopes, and while it is not great, it will show if there is anything in there and give you a good idea about bore condition. Once you know it's not loaded, clean it like you would any BP rifle. Ammo for these rifles is available, and many molds are also available to make your own too.
 
dewclaw said:
I've got a 50 cal and although it's been a long time ago, I seem to remember that the breech end of my barrel would unscrew. Had to put in a vice and put a wrench on it. Might be tough to break loose if it's been sitting a long time, but you could look for the faint line between barrel and breech end to see if it might unscrew.
Anyone else ever done this?
Click to expand...
The breech plug will pull but I can't think of a reason unless something odd shows up. You can pull the nipple and put good light on it. If it is not all ate up in there you probably are good.
Definitely do make sure it wasn't put up loaded. I pulled a load for a guy once and depth seemed wrong and ended up pulling two loads/bullets.
 
I have dozens of TC muzzleloaders we shoot weekly. Quick cleaning is Patch with pine-sol until no black on patches, then oil patch and then a dry patch. Track of the Wolf or Gun Emporium website have molds and bullets. Natchez also has them from time to time.
If your done for awhile take barrel of and stick nipple end in hot soapy water, then run patch down barrel until no black water comes out of the nipple end. Then oil patch and dry patch.
Enjoyyou have one of the last great USA made firearms.
 
jlanecr500 said:
I bought a borescope years ago. I've also used it to check automotive cylinder bores, etc by entering thru the sparkplug hole. This is the one I bought.
Teslong Rifle Borescope, Bore Camera Gun Cleaning Camera - Fits .20 Caliber & Larger-Hunting Shooting Firearms Visual Barrel Inspection Tool w/3 Right-Angle Mirrors and Carrying Case(45inch-Flexible) https://a.co/d/efuAty6
Click to expand...
That Teslong is a good one, and not very expensive, either.
 
killingtime 41 said:
Anybody remember back when the seasons were archery Maybe 30yards max. Then came muzzleloader 100 yard shot was marksman type of shooting. Then it ended with regular gun. Wasn't it done in that order for a reason. Nice gun man hunt with it. It was all we had at one point.
Click to expand...
Stinkin' UT throws an Elk rifle season in there, between archery and MZ.
Why? Rifle hunters complained they didn't get to hunt the rut.
 
Deer Creek Products in Indiana has some new old stock maxi hunters on their website. They had them priced very reasonable. They are regular vendors at the NMLRA shoot at Friendship....good folks. I'll see em next week when I go up there. Personally, I wouldn't rule out round balls. If you do your part they can be quite effective on whitetail.
 

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