Thompson Center .50 Hawken Twist Rate

The TC barrels were rifled with a turn in 48", but they were also a bit on the shallow side. They are super accurate with light to mid-range loads of black powder. In a 50 cal you can expect very good results with 45 to 60 grains of powder, but more will usually open up the group. Because the grooves are a bit shallow they usually use a .495 ball with a .010 to ,012 patch.
The thin patches can't hold as much lube as a thicker patch can. Also they are not as strong as a thicker patch of the identical material. So that is why the guns run with lighter charges best with balls.
now with a bullet it's a different story. If you use the the TC "Maxi balls" (bullets) you will often find the old TC rifles shoot wonderfully well with heavy charges. There are a number of other bullets that work as well too.

But don't worry about the quality of the barrel. As a rule the TC barrels were excellent, but just not made to fire balls with heavy charges.
 
It could be one in 48 or one in 66. The only real way to tell is to use a cleaning rod and measure the twist when you insert.
 
Thinking it would have to be pretty old to be 1:66. Maybe some of the Douglas or Sharon barreled ones were. I might be wrong but I don't think any of the newer TC's were anything but 1:48.
 
The best I can get my Prestamp TC Hawken to do with its 1:48 barrel is about a 4" group at 100 yards. .490" ball .015 ticking patch and 80grains of FFg KIK Real Black Powder. As far as a TC Maxi Ball, uhh forget it. With out a ball peen hammer there is NO WAY a .50 cal TC maxi ball is going in that barrel. So I've only fired Round ball out of it. Which is what I prefer anyway. Some folks claim they get real good accuracy with a Power Belt ( 1 in 48 barrel) over a stiff charge of the PUSH!
 
My TC Hawken 50, from the early 70's, serial # 2, with a custom fit Green Mountain round ball barrel. Don't remember the twist, 1 in 66 I believe, but have shot 5 shot groups touching at 100 yards rested. Along with my TC Patriot. Both refinished in hand rubbed linseed oil. Never mind the Win Model 70 in .243 and the TC Contender in .35Rem, was just taking pics for insurance proof.

image37218.jpg


image37219.jpg
 
Last edited:
This thread is a little old but I just saw it.

We have had a Flintlock only season in Pa. since the late 70s beginning the day after Xmas and lasting about two weeks.

Its funny but when that season rolls around I kinda forget about all other guns and shooting and really get into shooting my flint locks.

I have two TC Hawkens and two Renegades 50 and 54 cal. I gave my son a 50 Renegade and I have, in addition, a TC New Englander Cap in .54.

They are all 1:48" except I have a 50 Cal GM barrel which is 1:70 twist and surprisingly, although all the same twist, all like something different as far as load, ball, bullet, patch thickness, charge, etc.

Deerslayer, I have found 320, 370 gr Maxis and the Maxi Hunters ridiculously easy to load even in moderately fouled bores in all of these rifles. But I have also found that these projectiles cause excessive leading even with relatively light powder charges. Maxis were even illegal for a time and some contend it was because of the possibility of the maxi sliding off the charge and creating a bore obstruction. I have never seen this happen but all the boys I know that use them generally keep the barrel tilted up and occasionally give the bullet a tap with the ram rod to be sure it is seated on the powder charge.
 
My TC must have a tight bore then. Or the 320 Maxis I had were a little big. I kid you not, you will bruise your hand on the short starter trying to get them in. The lands bit into the heel of the bullet pretty deep. I had to get it out with a pair of vise grips after I was only able to get the heel of the bullet started. Those Maxi balls have since wound up in the Lee 10lb Pot and made more .490's. I am kinda interested in trying a Powerbelt in the old gal though.
 
Last edited:
Never had a TC but I used an Investarms for over 30 years. Maxi's were hard to load but were decently accurate. There was no danger of them falling out that's for sure. I tried some sabots when they first came out but they all tumbled. I switched to round balls 15 or 20 years ago and never looked back.
 
Ben, I shot the REAL bullets in a Cabelas Carbine I had once and they seemed to load and shoot pretty good. And they were real easy to cast.
 
I had a conical mold once that made pretty good bullets. I think it may have been a REAL but I liked the Maxi Balls better. Neither was as good as a round ball tho.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top