I got a question for you muzzle loading Gurus

Windwalker7 · 11-01-2009, 04:59 PM

I have a TC Hawken .50 flintlock my father built from one of those kits. He built this back in the late 70'-early 80s.

Recently, I have been shooting this gun. I 'm shooting patched round balls with 90gr of T7.

My problem is that quite often, the pan ignites but the gun doesn't go off. I remember this happening back when I was a kid using BP also.

The flash hole seems to be extra small. Even one of those Thompson Center flash hole picks will not fit in the hole.

My question is, did the TC Hawken have or come out with a larger flash hole in it's later encarnations?

I believe the flash hole being so small is the problem. Especially after buying a flash hole pick and it won't fit in there.

It is removable and I was hoping I could just put a larger holed one in there if my suspicions are right.

Do they make them larger?

lemoyne · 11-01-2009, 05:07 PM

Your problem is the wrong powder either use real black or prime the main charge with black priming powder. [FFFF] [ put the prime in before the regular load about 10 gr.

cayugad · 11-01-2009, 05:08 PM

Your problem is trying to ignite Triple Seven in a flintlock. Triple Seven has a very high flash point. Change your main load over to real black powder and your rifle will fire just fine.

Windwalker7 · 11-01-2009, 05:15 PM

I guess its back to Black powder then.

I'm still concerned with the flash hole pick not fitting in the flash hole.

I also traded out the original sights with fiberoptic sights. The drilled and tapped holes for the rear sight did not line up on the new rear sight.
I only have one screw holding it. Seems to be tight.

I was just thinking that perhaps some things were changed in later years with the TC Hawken. The flash hole being one of them.

cayugad · 11-01-2009, 05:20 PM

I am not sure if RMC Sports are still in business but give them a call. They have a vent liner for your rifle that is just a little bigger. I have one in my rifle. I was shooting it today and it never once failed to go off. Also, go back to black powder. It then will always go off.

Windwalker7 · 11-01-2009, 05:28 PM

Thanks! I'll be giving them a call.

I'll give the BP a try too.

I was hoping to get away from the smell, LOL!

Semisane · 11-01-2009, 06:20 PM

The RMC liners are excellent (but you still need real black powder).

Go here http://rmcsports.com/catalog.htm

and use the menu on the left side of the page to scroll down to Blackpowder Shooting Accessories

then, on the main page, scroll down to "RMC Flintlock Touch Hole Liner Replacements"

Windwalker7 · 11-02-2009, 04:47 AM

Thank you sir!

Its kinda wierd for me getting back into shooting this muzzle loader.

Back when I was a kid, I hated this gun. I remember having deer standing there as I could not get the gun to go off.

One time I actually did shoot at a deer and hit it. I got so excited trying to reload, I broke the ramrod. I had to walk back to the truck to get another. Luckily, my dad brought a spare.

I went back to track the deer and jumped it up. Stupid me would shoot at it limping away and miss. I'd then watch it stop, stand there and then lay down.

I'd reload but now couldn't see the deer. This scenerio played out several times until I finally got the deer.

I swore, back then, I'd never hunt with a muzzle loader again. That was 30 years ago, and here I am interested in them again.

Been shooting an inline for a few years now (Omega) and have taken several deer with it. I'm even considering taking the Hawken out, if I get it to go off more relably.

Thanks again for the links!