ok i went to the gunshop today to buy my hunting liscense so i can get my doe tag application sent in...there was a nice 50 cal t/c hawken flintlock on the rack...used...but i looked it over...looks like it was barely used....all clean and looked good....i was thinking about muzzleloading and i like the hawken style and look...what is a normal price on a new one? what about a good used one? is it a pretty good first muzzleloader? my shots with my 3006 are 30yds or less usually so i dont need a tack driver..i mean i like an accurate gun but 50 yds is where it will be zeroed and i can throw stones accurate enough at that range lol...im ordering all my supplies as soon as i get the gun which will probally be monday or tues or sometime next week if its still there...im getting fiberoptic sights for this year also just because i dont like black and black sights and dont want any excuses on why i missed the big un....what flintlock tools do i need? what about cleaning tools? i know about nothing....i need a powder flask, measuerer, pan primer, bullet starter, and thats about all i know...anyone want to help me out there with what else i need and what cleaning supplies i need? im excited about this...it looks fun...thanx alot....also what powder will i need? like 2fg 3 fg or what? thanx alot

I' ve never shot a flintlock, but I used to have a caplock version of the T/C Hawken which I since gave to my brother that was a very accurate rifle. It had a moderate twist rate and I fed it with lighter conicals and it was just as accurate as my Knight. Make sure you ask about the rifles twist rate before you buy it as the twist rate will determine what kind of bullet the gun will favor. A lot of flintlocks have slow twist (1-in-66" or thereabouts) and will only shoot roundballs and certain very light conicals accurately but won' t stabilize a heavier conical or sabot bullet. On the other hand, if you want to shoot patched roundball then you don' t really want a fast twist (i.e. > 1-in-36" ) as it will severely overstabilize a roundball.

With the right bullet and load combo any T/C ML will be accurate enough to take any shot within the limits inherent to ML' s. The most challenging thing about the flintlock is that the slower lock/ignition time requires a steadier hand and good follow through, but if you do your part the gun will do its part.

Mike