The old eyes won't let me shoot my flintlocks, so I dug out my scoped T/C .50 caliber ThunderHawk that I've had for at least two decades. I've got several tins of #11 caps, cans of 2F and 3F black powder, and I'm looking for an accurate load out to 100 yards for deer hunting using a sabot/bullet combo or maxi-ball. I'd appreciate your suggestions. Thanks.
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TRG3
Check out this for loads. :bthumb: Geneo
https://www.bevfitchett.us/thompson...hunderhawk/suggested-black-powder-loads-for-the-thompsoncenter-thunderhawk.html
https://www.bevfitchett.us/thompson...hunderhawk/suggested-black-powder-loads-for-the-thompsoncenter-thunderhawk.html
1 in 48 twist?
Should shoot about anything good.
I think FFg more consistent than BP subs.
Got great groups from 1 in 48" TC sidehammers and even Knight in lines.
All #11 ignition.
What I found w the old TC sidehammers, buy one new and the bbl would string vertically until it had about 100 shots through it (patched).
Should shoot about anything good.
I think FFg more consistent than BP subs.
Got great groups from 1 in 48" TC sidehammers and even Knight in lines.
All #11 ignition.
What I found w the old TC sidehammers, buy one new and the bbl would string vertically until it had about 100 shots through it (patched).
I have a Thunderhawk that I have killed a number whitetail with. I shoot 80 grains of Pyrodex and use T/C Cheap Shot bullets. The bullets are 240 grain hp with sabot. I have killed deer out to 95 yards with mine. I also have a factory peep sight on mine and love it. This year I chose my T/C Renegade and haven't pulled the trigger. Have another week here in SWVA so still time.
For side hammers I think the Renegades fit me best.
Had three of em, last one purchased dirt cheap, killer wood and like new.
A .54 about 6 yrs ago.
I was moving to a new house and a buddy just showed up and dove right in. Had just Moved his kid to a house for college, another in another state.
Was still into "work mode" I guess. Didn't ask, his wife must have told him.
Anyway, since I scored the .54 off a bud for ridiculously low (relative of his didn't want it- bad memories)........I figured I couldn't sell it to anybody.
So when my other bud said he wanted to try muzzleloading I just gave it to him.
The two .50 cals I bought yrs before had plain wood. This .54 was well figured, both sides. Stunning.
Wonder if he poked a deer w it this yr? Roundball .54 is a whopper.
Had three of em, last one purchased dirt cheap, killer wood and like new.
A .54 about 6 yrs ago.
I was moving to a new house and a buddy just showed up and dove right in. Had just Moved his kid to a house for college, another in another state.
Was still into "work mode" I guess. Didn't ask, his wife must have told him.
Anyway, since I scored the .54 off a bud for ridiculously low (relative of his didn't want it- bad memories)........I figured I couldn't sell it to anybody.
So when my other bud said he wanted to try muzzleloading I just gave it to him.
The two .50 cals I bought yrs before had plain wood. This .54 was well figured, both sides. Stunning.
Wonder if he poked a deer w it this yr? Roundball .54 is a whopper.
MMP sabot and Rem 240gr JHP (scalloped jacket), 100gr FFg and #11 ignition.....
shot great in a couple Knights I had (scoped w 4x).
150 yards and in was a gimme.
Seriously.
Too easy.
Took the fun out of it for me.
Having the deer come in and having to cock the hammer on a crisp day, even w finger on trigger and then easing up, the deer could hear the muffled click.
Was more fun.
Alas, I wear glasses now. Scopes it is.
Thought about a pistol scope at rear sight location on my Hawken.
That gun bashes the crap out of my cheek.
Had a filling in molar on that side.
Think the bashing helped deteriorate that tooth.
Its gone now.
Big deer on the wall (177 and change gross) and a hole where my tooth was (pulled last yr).......yeah, dunno if I want that dang Hawken around, I got enough reminders LOL
shot great in a couple Knights I had (scoped w 4x).
150 yards and in was a gimme.
Seriously.
Too easy.
Took the fun out of it for me.
Having the deer come in and having to cock the hammer on a crisp day, even w finger on trigger and then easing up, the deer could hear the muffled click.
Was more fun.
Alas, I wear glasses now. Scopes it is.
Thought about a pistol scope at rear sight location on my Hawken.
That gun bashes the crap out of my cheek.
Had a filling in molar on that side.
Think the bashing helped deteriorate that tooth.
Its gone now.
Big deer on the wall (177 and change gross) and a hole where my tooth was (pulled last yr).......yeah, dunno if I want that dang Hawken around, I got enough reminders LOL
The Thunderhawk is a fine rifle. 1-38 twist. 70 grains of 3f Swiss and a 250 grain 45 caliber Hornady XTP is a great load. The non magnum 300 grain 45 XTP is awesome with the same charge. In mine, I get 1575 fps with the 250 and the 300 gets a flat 1500. Roughly a .454 Cassul level load.
Btw, the 300 grain is the longest bullet, in 45, the 1-38 will handle.
Full caliber, the Lyman Plains with the 70 grain charge, 1350 fps, with a .54 wad over powder is tremendous! Got to cast it yourself.
Great rifle! Have fun!
Btw, the 300 grain is the longest bullet, in 45, the 1-38 will handle.
Full caliber, the Lyman Plains with the 70 grain charge, 1350 fps, with a .54 wad over powder is tremendous! Got to cast it yourself.
Great rifle! Have fun!
Thanks for all of your replies. Sometime this summer, I'll head to the range with a variety of bullets, etc. Of the many things I've learned about black powder, even if I'm shooting a bullet that needs to be pushed into the rifling, a wad between the bullet/sabot and the powder charge generally improves accuracy.
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