Thompson Center 45 Muzzle Loader vs 50 Cal?

[wmgeorge]

I purchased a used TC 45 Cal and wrote about it here a couple months ago. My other ML is a Lyman flinter 50 Cal. I have a chance to pick up another TC but in 50 so both rifles shoot the same ball size.

I am thinking of selling the 45 since I am reducing inventory. Its not LNIB but looks pretty nice, it does have a character flaw in the stock (walnut) one side the other is very good. Overall I would rate the rifle 90-95%. So am I out of line getting rid of the 45 and going for the TC 50 or should I just be happy with what I have? If I put the 45 up for sale is this the right time of the year or should I wait?

 

[LNK]

I purchased a used TC 45 Cal and wrote about it here a couple months ago. My other ML is a Lyman flinter 50 Cal. I have a chance to pick up another TC but in 50 so both rifles shoot the same ball size.

I am thinking of selling the 45 since I am reducing inventory. Its not LNIB but looks pretty nice, it does have a character flaw in the stock (walnut) one side the other is very good. Overall I would rate the rifle 90-95%. So am I out of line getting rid of the 45 and going for the TC 50 or should I just be happy with what I have? If I put the 45 up for sale is this the right time of the year or should I wait?

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I would keep the 45 as it is cheaper to shoot, marginally. Unless you need the extra thump for hunting that is. I have a 45 tc hawken and feel no need to get a 50, but ymmv.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

The .45 will "get it done" even with a patched round ball, and tends to be a bit rare compared to .50 and .54.
You're looking at less recoil, especially if you go from a TC Maxi-Ball in a .50 to a .440 patched, round ball in the .45.
Why is this important?
Well time "marches on" and "stuff happens" so we get older and mishaps find us, and having a rather reduced recoil rifle that will still knock down deer you may find is quite an advantage. Perhaps not now, but in the future, who can say? If it's on your rack, all you need do is reach up, take it down, and start using it. Funny thing about Murphy's Law(s)..., one of them says "When you need to buy, the item is suddenly tough to find."

LD

 

[arcticap]

About deciding whether to sell a gun or not is highly personal since people do it for different reasons.
These are some factors to ask yourself:

1. Does the .45 shoot as accurately as can be expected?
2. Is it satisfying to shoot the gun as far as being able to hit targets where you're aiming at when shooting at a reasonable distance?
3. Is the gun ergonomic for you or is is uncomfortable to shoot for some reason?
4. Do you need the money to buy another gun?

Sometimes deciding to sell one gun that you like is based on needing the money to purchase the other gun which is still untested.
If you bought a .50 in the same model it may weigh a little less.
A .45 TC Hawken is fairly desirable so it shouldn't really matter what time of year that it's being sold other than income tax refund season is sometimes a better time for some people to buy, unless a person is buying himself a present or hunting season is approaching.
It's always easier to buy or keep a gun then it is to sell it.
People often need to sell a gun for less than they paid for it unless they bought it at a decent price.

All of these factors need to be considered when deciding whether to buy a replacement gun or not and when to sell another one.
Once you sell then you're not getting it back.
If that doesn't bother you then sell it away.
If you're not sure or think that you might regret it later on then you can buy another, but it may not be as satisfying as the one that you have.

Ball size has never really been much of a consideration for me when it comes to selling a muzzle loader unless the gun has an odd ball size.
Which caliber to use for deer hunting is a consideration, but that's not even mentioned.
.45's are more often used for target shooting although many do use them for hunting, especially with conicals and/or combinations of sabots available now days.
The .45 may be a more efficient target shooter in some ways, if not more accurate too due to achieving more velocity using less powder, so it may have a flatter trajectory.
But some people in northern states do not prefer double triggers for deer hunting in cold winter hunting weather irrespective of caliber.

Quite often the decision boils down to price and how much a person can sell it for compared to what the new gun will cost.
If it can be sold for only a percentage of the cost of the next one then it makes more sense to either keep it or at least start advertising it to test the market price and demand.
Since you're asking you must want to sell it.
It can take 6 months or more to sell a gun depending on the price and where it's being advertised.
It all depends on whether a potential buyer sees your gun at the same time when they happen to be looking to buy, and where you advertise it.

That model can vary quite a bit in value.
Wanting to sell at top Dollar always makes a gun harder to sell.
And shipping only adds to the final cost for the buyer.

 

[wmgeorge]

Thanks guys, I will just keep the 45 since I already have supplies purchased. Packing for the trip south to FL next week or so.

 

[PapaG]

Good choice. Besides, the traditional guns don't bring anything near what they are worth.

 

[arcticap]

There used to be easy ways to buy a replacement barrel so that a popular model can be converted to another caliber.
Green Mountain drop in replacement barrels come to mind.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I have both and I'm not selling either one.

When the price is right, I'll be buying MORE of either one. Those are darn fine rifles provided they haven't rotted out the bore from neglect and they sure aren't making any more of 'em. CHILDREN who don't have a clue are selling off "grampas" collection of GOOD guns right now so they can buy the latest Mattel Plastic Fantastic from the latest video game or mad max movie. Some day they will grow up and wish they had a fine rifle.

 

[rodinal220]

I shoot my T/C Hawken in 45 with factory globe and rear tang sight more now than 50/54. It uses a little less powder and lead. A patched round ball can be very accurate out to 200 yards.

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

I believe drop-in barrels only for the T/C Hawken rifles are available from Tip Curtis.

Tip Curtis Frontier Shop
4445 Jernigan Rd.
Cross Plains, TN. 37049
Phone: 615-654-4445
E-Mail: [email protected]

No website listed.

 

[Fyrstyk]

Many barrels for these guns can be found on Flea Bay.

 

[Bill M.]

It is pretty easy to pick up a 50 cal barrel on eBay. I would prefer the 45 and would shoot it with a modern conical or sabot.
The .45 should sell easily if you decide that. My .50 with a sabot and a full charge is more than I feel comfortable shooting. The bruise from a sighting in session went away after a couple of weeks.