Blackpowder Hawken Rifle fell into my lap (pics)...

[canoeguy]

I have owned a couple of black powder rifles in my life, both of them .45 caliber "Pennsylvania" style. The first one I had, a Spanish made CVA kit gun, was pretty lame, shot pumpkin size groups at 50 yards. The other was much better, put together from Dixie Gun Works parts by a hobby gunsmith, it shot three shot groups clover leafing, all rounds touching at 50 yards....

Anyway, I had been looking for a Hawken style rifle, I like the ease of cleaning of the Hawken, and the looks. It's been a while since I looked at black powder rifles, and found that Hawkens (and other traditional styled rifles) are not popular with hunters today, everyone wants an in-line rifle, scoped. Guess it works for some, but not for me. I figured if I could get a quality Hawken for less than $250, I'd probably move on it.

One of my neighbors who knows I'm into guns offered me a .50 caliber Pedersoli (made in Italy) Hawken he just wanted to get rid of. Someone in his family had passed away and no one was interested in the Hawken. He said I could have it for $75, with a "Possibles Bag" full of black powder gear. I allowed as I thought that was fair, so it followed me home.

Don't know how old it is, but it kind of speaks of the 1980's to me, with case colored trigger gaurd and patchbox, no brass:

Possibles bag full of gear, powder flask, powder measure, nipple wrench, spare nipple, percussion caps, patches, etc:

The rifle has definatley been hunted with, has some handling marks. Barrel is clean as a whistle, so somone definately took care of this rifle. The gear inside the possibles bag has also been well thought out.

Looking at the rifling, it appears it has the slow rifling common in guns intended for round ball shooting, which is OK with me as I will probably only use it for target shooting.

All I need to get shooting is some powder, fresh caps and a range rod. Also, some blackpowder cleaning solvent. That will have to wait till payday, but I'll post a range report soon.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

That's an excellent looking gun. I much prefer the steel hardware as opposed to brass. He basically gave it to you. I'm moving to your neighborhood. I could use one of those, too.

 

[gizamo]

$75 bucks you say....

For a Tryon !!!!

 

[rxbrew]

Hawkin Rifle

Looks like a nice rifle. They are fun to shoot. I use hot soapy with a shotgun mop works really well for clean up. Then use some T/C bore butter on the barrel. Have Fun.

 

[Smith357]

Mighty fine looking smoke pole, Why is it nobody ever sells me good stuff cheap.

 

[canoeguy]

Gizamo,

Thanks for the hint on the "Tryon", never heard of one before. Had to google it...

What are the differences betweeen a "Tryon" and a "Hawken"?

 

[Jebus35745]

I shoot round ball, its fun. You have a nice gun there. Definitely let us know how it shoots. Larry

 

[Klondike Mike]

Gizamo,

Thanks for the hint on the "Tryon", never heard of one before. Had to google it...

What are the differences betweeen a "Tryon" and a "Hawken"?

The back action lock is the biggest difference. The lock mortise is cut into the wrist which weakens it a bit. Not as suitable for butt stroking a "hostile" as a Hawken. The other differences are not as noticible. Stock architecture and furniture (trigger guard, nose cap and butt plates) differences. What you paid would barely cover the freight for the gun and possibles that were included. Good luck with the shooting, you already had plenty with the buying. Mike

 

[Oldiron]

Have you looked at the price of the Pedersolis lately. They have gone sky high. I have .32 and .45 Pennsylvanias in flint that I picked up from a shop in Hickory N.C. If you look at Cabelas or DGW the prices are over double what I paid 4 years ago.
My Hawken is a T/C in .45 and with the set triggers it will out shoot any rifle I own at 100 yds.
Don't worry about the BP solvent. Pop out the barrel wedge pins and put the barrel in some hot soapy water and scrub. Is faster than solvent cleaning.
Larry
P.S. Use Black Powder. The fakes are just not the same.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Geeze Canoeguy, the extra gear alone is worth about $75. You could say you got the gun for free! Ditto on the hot soapy water for cleanup, I use dish soap myself. And there's nothing wrong with round balls and real BP either! I always chuckle when I see the newer "muzzle loader" systems with sabots, powder pellets, scopes and enclosed primer ignitions. Me thinks they are missing the point.
John

 

[11bravo]

Hawken .50 cal

A good friend just gave me my first black powder as a birthday gift. An early 80's Hawken 50 cal. Shot it three times and took a nice doe with it the next day. I love the old school stuff. Gets you back to real hunting. My recurve is a Fred Bear 50 lb draw with no sights. Enjoy your old gun!

 

[Rangerpat]

Excellent muzzle-loader at a great price! If you plan to hunt with it, you might want to check the rate of twist of the barrel, some rifles shoot conical bullets more accurate than round ball. Good luck with your with your "new" smokepole.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I think one would say "good trade!". That's a "smokin" deal, if you ask me.

 

[jlrhiner]

I believe that same gun is for sale at Cherry's for $1000.00 and is a special order. Good on you!

 

[mtgianni]

The twist should either be 1 in 66" for round ball, 1 in 48" for a combo and 1 in 32 for maxiball. Nice looking rifle and a great price.

 

[bgrafsr]

My wife found a black powder gun at a garage sale and got it for $50.00.
It was a T/C Hawken in .54 caliber and was in kit form. The guy tried to build it and gave up. There was one part missing from the kit, so I called Thompson Center to order the part, and the lady I spoke to said they would send it to me for free, even after I explained my wife had bought the kit at a garage sale. I built it, glassed the barrel channel and lock, and then purchased a 1 in 66" round ball target barrel in .54 caliber. The gun shoots great and I have since purchased a .45 round ball target barrel which is a little easier on me and my pacemaker. I use it for our club's grocery shoots every other Sunday during the winter. We shoot from inside the club house, as there are small doors in the back wall that we open to shoot. The club house is also heated by two wood burning stoves. Us older guys need a little comfort you know.