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Any Muzzle Loaders Out There?
RCrosby
Member Posts: 3,801 ✭✭✭
Have two '70's vintage Thompson Center Arms muzzle loaders; a single shot pistol and a single shot rifle. The names "Renegade and Seneca" come to mind. Not marked on either and I didn't find them at the T/C site.
Both are marked ".45 Cal." and since I have quantities of different diameter balls that fall into that general category I'm wondering what the best diameter ball is for accuracy and ease of loading in these T/C's. I plan to list the balls I have that won't work in these, but would sure hate to let the wrong ones go.
Anyone?
Both are marked ".45 Cal." and since I have quantities of different diameter balls that fall into that general category I'm wondering what the best diameter ball is for accuracy and ease of loading in these T/C's. I plan to list the balls I have that won't work in these, but would sure hate to let the wrong ones go.
Anyone?
Comments
The Patriot was the pistol. Seneca, Hawken and Cherokee were rifles that could be had in 45 cal.
added .440 round ball is a good place to start.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwixwOaal6XUAhVY92MKHZ9WAvUQFgg9MAQ&url=http://stevespages.com/pdf/thompsoncenter_patriot_supplement.pdf&usg=AFQjCNGZKG2yGCE4gYHVDY3qPMPgvE2JZw&sig2=2RLe1O9qc-_iZWP8DLr1aA
Patch and ball rifling is usually rather slow. IE: 1 in 66".
And don't overload the powder charge. 1.5 X caliber is a good place to start for patched balls.
Pedersoli recommends a charge between 30 and 90 grains.
IIRC I got the '1.5 X' data from a 1950's Dixie catalog.
As a powder measure I use an empty .45 Colt cartridge case filled with Pyrodex P.
I just had my two Patriot pistols out at the range this week. FYI neither are marked with the word "Patriot".
Patriot and Hawken, yes.
First attempt to email TCA failed for "bad address".
Will try again at simply "[email protected]"
Will let you know if that works.
(I had tried "[email protected]|")
Immediate bottom line is that I'm clear to unload all of my .452-459 balls.[:D]
"[email protected]" didn't work either.
Try going right to the source.
http://www.tcarms.com
[:)]
As far as the rifle, if it is not marked, measure the barrel across the flats. The 13/16" barrels were the Seneca or Cherokee. If 15/16" across the flats it will be a Hawken or Renegade. They were made in 1" across the flats also when they started making the 54 caliber models, so Hawken/Renegade rifles will be find with either 15/16 or 1" barrels. From what I remember all the rifles were rifles in 1 in 48" except for a few 56 Smoothbores and some were done in Round Ball pitch which is 1 turn in 66 inches. But the round ball barrels were longer than normal I think. And the patriot pistol was made for round balls too I think, at least some years. Best bet is to put a patch on the ramrod, and get a pencil and mark as it goes down the bore.
I did just list a T/C Hawken Cougar on the auction side that has the 15/16" barrel, but has stainless fittings.