HuntingNet.com Forums - I picked up a Thompson .50 sidelock

HuntingNet.com Forums (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/)

- Black Powder (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder-23/)

- - I picked up a Thompson .50 sidelock (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder/178774-i-picked-up-thompson-50-sidelock.html)

RE: I picked up a Thompson .50 sidelock

Quote:

ORIGINAL: TUK101

I guess that I helped myself because after I asked the question I found the T/C website and downloaded the manual and got the trigger all adjusted and figured out how to use it. It will be great for target shooting, but there is no way I will use it hunting, too darned dangerous imho. Shoot, that front trigger has got to be about 10#'s or so though. With the hair trigger set it it probably only 2#"s like you guys said. Anyways, I know that I probably paid too much for the used gun, but I am extremely happy with my purchase after shooting it yesterday and am very excited to take some game with it. By the way, I was using Pyrodex RS with Speer roundball ammo. I played around with 60-100 gr. charges, the 100 gr. shot high at 100 yards, and the 90 gr. was about 5 inches low at 100 yards. of coarse that is only a couple of shots, but it gave me an idea of what to expect. Has anybody used a peep site on thier sidelock? If so, would you recommend it?

I have a hawken TC in 50 Cal. I thought the same thing about the hair trigger, till my brother explained that it makes for a more accurate rifle. Mine is a FL and to pull the trigger like you said is extreme hard. When I see a deer, I cock the gun, squeeze the back trigger and then TAKE MY FINGER off the trigger. Only when I shoulder the gun do I place me finger on the trigger. I wear wool fingerless gloves over a very thin glove liner, so I can feel the trigger. I am going to this V-Peep because I am far sighted, and the front fibre optic makes it look like 4 dots of green instead of 2. The URL is here:

http://rmcsports.com/rmcsports_cfmfiles/product.cfm?msection=1036
(scroll down about 3/4 way)

Go to the Rmcsports.com main page to do online ordering, the navigation is NOT in the above link.
Chap gleason

RE: I picked up a Thompson .50 sidelock

I've got a tang peep sight for the T/C Hawkins and Renegade made by T/C. I will say it does make for some accurate shooting. The problem I have is when the afternoon sun sets in the thickets, and I want to stretch a few more minutes shivering in the tree.. it gets hard to get a clean sight picture in the shadows with the peep sight. I have since removed it and went back to a plain old iron sight and am just as happy.

I do like the looks of that RMC sight.

As for the hair trigger, what you need to do is practice with it. The more you try it, the easier it gets. Now on my rifles what I do when on STAND but never while walking or stalking, even with the hammer not cocked, you can engage the set trigger. When you cock the hammer, the rifle is a pre-sethair trigger. Try your rifle and see if it is not so.

If you have time on your shot, and want to cock the hammer without making a noise, pull the front trigger back. Now pull the hammer back as far as it will go. It will not have the two set stations where it cocks and makes a noise. Release the front trigger and slowly let the hammer come forward with your thumb still on it. It will catch in the cocked position and you have done all this with out alerting the deer. Now pull your set trigger and your ready to take your shot.

RE: I picked up a Thompson .50 sidelock

I just wish I could get my centerfire triggers as good as the trigger on my T/C...that thing is sweeeeeeeet.

RE: I picked up a Thompson .50 sidelock

I shot another 7 shots today and am getting more comforatable with that hair trigger. I just dont think that I will use it when anybody else is around till I get very comforatable with it. Too much room for error with it. I just picked up a Pedersoli powder flask today. That is so handy. 2 dumps and you have 100gr. of powder. lol, when I was a kid I always thought that those where a snuff flask. Now I know. You learn something everyday. I also picked up some T/C prelubed patches. They seem to work very well, and also go in very tight. I blew the crap out of an old marine gas can today and am very impressed with how accurate the old muzzleloader is. Until recently I never associated a muzzleloader with any level of accuracy. [&:]