T/C Firehawk- Is it worth it?

[mac tm]

I have eyes on a T/C Firehawk at the LGS. (.54 cal, inline bolt, #11 percussion caps, non removable breech plug, iron sights, stainless barrel and composite stock.) It is in good/excellent condition. It would also include powder measure, brass flask, bore butter, about 50 mixed sabots and cast bullets, spare nipples, nipple wrenches, jags, some caps, owners manual, previous owners handwritten notes on the best loads he found and powder (lawn fertilizer).

This would be my first muzzleloader. I reload for my rifles and pistols so I'm not afraid of loose powder. I am leery of the percussion caps and the limitations during cleaning. It would be mostly for the range but possibly deer hunt as well.

My question is, should I go for it (and what would be a fair offer) or just get a new break with 209 ignition?

 

[robhof]

Go on one of the gun auction sites and see what they are going for, look for ones that have bids on them, that'll give you an idea of what they go for, the extras are just that, don't include their value in the price you offer, and if it's in great condition and you want to go 209, or rifle primers, there's conversion nipples out there, T/C's are great guns and the company has some of the best customer service out there, I own 4, 2 tenders and 2 sidelocks.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

The majority of folks looking for an inline muzzleloader are after the latest and greatest improvements that are offered. That means that the percussion ignition is going to keep a lot of folks from being interested in it, but there is nothing wrong with percussion caps, and they will ignite real black powder reliably, especially in and inline. Like I said, there is nothing wrong with percussion ignition, but it limits the value in the marketplace, and an opportunity for a great deal if you are buying. Also the .54 caliber is going to limit the number of folks who are interested, but .54 caliber is less common so the right person would pay a premium. To me, the .54 cal is a plus. The selling price on something like that is all over the map. In an online auction, a bona fide interested buyer would likely notice it and pay a good price, but sitting in a LGS, it may take a couple years to find someone willing to pay more than $50 for it.

 

[mac tm]

He had $260 on the tag. I offered $175. It was on consignment so he had to talk to the owner.

 

[alsaqr]

The .54 caliber TC Fire Hawk is a fine rifle. Mine has accounted for numerous wild hogs. Got mine at a pawn shop for $100. The stock had some dings but the bore was perfect. The Fire Hawk has a slender light weigh stock. Those stocks are sometimes broken from the firing of heavy conicals or being fired from lead sleds.

 

[mac tm]

I decided to go for it.