Well got out this morning to try some saboted booletes threw the Thunderhawk to see what she would do.
Started with same loads as with the Conicals 85gr 2fg 777 & CCI mag #11 caps , Range 100yds Scope still sighted in with the TC 350gr Maxi-Hunters Did not adjust scope just wanted to see how they grouped.
First I started with a 295gr Power Belt AT I only had 1 so no groups but it shot well. Nex up Harvesters 300gr SaberTooth only had 2 but they did ok also , then shot Hornady 300gr .430 reg XTPs with crush rib sabots NOT PLEASED AT ALL with a 3 shot group 2.25" @ 100yds. XTPs loaded pritty hard even with the CR sabot , I have not sluged the bore yet but it is pritty tight .

HERE IS THE RESULTS ( NOT HAPPY )



This is for FG

SO I bumped the load up to 90gr and this was the Results ( Very Happy )
I shot 1-4 - 44cal .429.5 300gr Sierra CR sabot
A-D - 44cal .430 300gr reg XTPs CR Sabot
X&o- 45cal .451 385gr No Ex Conicals with a TC mag Sabot



I cleaned all lub off the NE conicals befor I shot

SO SHE WILL SHOOT ANYTHING I BUT IN HER

I got to say this little girl really suprised me I would not take $500 for this gun now

Here is some recoverd Sabots they were released from the bullets @ about 20yds





Ron

FG

I hope you know I had to lernded this Pic posten just for you
who says you an old dog can't lerned some new tricksssssss

Isn't the Thunderhawk great!! You have a very nice looking and great shooting rifle. I have the lower Shadow model but can tell you it shoots about everything I put in it pretty accurately. It's the only muzzleloader I would not sell. Even had a couple of Firehawks I gave to my sons. The only thing I don't like about it is it can be a little difficult to clean properly if you are in a hurry. Great shooting rifles, not real heavy and has good balance. I bought a 209 conversion for mine and never used it. Still have it I think. Everyone has gone to the breakdowns it seems for easy cleaning.

Wow, nice shooting. Is the thunderhawk a percussion? Also what is twist on these rifles? I been keeping an eye out for a NewEnglander or a Grey Hawk, but from this post I am going to "enlarge my looking." Chap

Chap

It is a 24" 1:38" twist , You can use a #11 nipple or Musket Nipple and you can get a 209 convertion for it also
I have been shooting the #11 with CCI mag caps, and I can tell you that it is instatanious on ignition .

If you could I think you have a belistics program don't you IF you could run these for me

90gr 2fg 777 #11 CCI mag .44cal 300gr Reg XTP Harvester CR sabot
90gr 2fg 777 #11 CCI mag .503 445gr BullShop with a .510 card wad
90gr 2fg 777 #11 CCI mag.503 460gr Bullshop with .510card wad
90gr 2fg 777 #11 CCI mag 385gr Hornady Great Plains
90gr 2Fg 777 #11 CCI mag .451 385gr NEX with a .451/.452 TC Mag Sabot
50yds
100yds

Like I said it is a 24" SS 1:38" twisthere is a PIC of it



I would Be so greatfull .
Ron

gleason.chapman
TC built 1-38 twist for several years the Gray Hawk the Thunder Hawk and the System One [ which is the one I kept and still have I have two barrels for it a 50 and a 54] I would like to have a good 45 barrel for it too. I use sabots and conicals in them and have taken several deer with PRB[ I used 90 gr RS and and get groups under 3 inches a 100yds. The 54 was my bear elk and bufflo gun for a long time I use 140 gr RS and a 300gr 50 cal bullet for deer and elk and a 350 gr with the same sabot and load for big stuff. Lee

Don't think they made the Gray Hawk in a 1:38 twist.Gray Hawk is pretty much a stainlessNew Englander with a 1:48 twist. The Scout, Thunderhawk, Firehawk, System 1 (depending on caliber) and late model White Mountain Carbines were 1:38 twist. It is a pretty good twist and seems to handle most everything.

My Scout was a 1-20, I mostly shot PRB in the Gray Hawk but I thought it was 1-38 too. Lee

Iagree that some of the Scouts were1:20, especially in .54 caliber.

Het Guys, Here is a handy chart on TC rate of twists on their different rifles

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/chart_muzzleloaders.php