Thompson "New Englander 54."

[CajunBass]

My LGS has a nice looking Thompson "New Englander, in 54 caliber on the rack. Gun seems to be in good condition. They're asking $155.00 for I think...something like that. That seems a reasonable price for it, but I don't know really.

Now, I'm not a big black powder guy. I know it's not an "authentic" muzzle-loader, but I'm kind of thinking about getting it to use a time or two for deer hunting. I've got a Thompson Seneca I've been enjoying for squirrel hunting lately. I'm not a real serious hunter these days, so I don't want to put a lot of money into a gun.

Anybody got one of these? Anything in particular to watch out for? Round balls work OK?

 

[goon]

For $155? I'd try just about any decent condition gun for $155.

 

[J-Bar]

Grab it. TC makes superb guns.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Had one in .50 and have the stainless model called Grey Hawk. They are well made and accurate.

 

[goon]

If you try it and don't like it, you can almost certainly make a little when you sell it. I sold a T/C Renegade in good (but not great) shape for $200 a couple years ago.
Post a pic if you buy it. I check the BP forum on a regular basis because the guys over here don't take themselves too seriously and know how to have fun.

 

[alsaqr]

The TC New Englander is a superb muzzleloader. Mine is a .50 caliber. Last time out i was hitting 3-4 of five clay pidgeon targets placed 77 yards away using patched round ball.

Check the bore carefully. If the bore is clean and bright you're good to go.

 

[AJumbo]

$155? If the bore is good and the lock functions properly, jump on it. You may be able to hit the auction sites and find the 12 ga. barrel for it.

 

[jimnbubba]

I just got one from Gun Auction and took it out couple days ago shoots real nice ,but, don't try and use paper cartiges ,it won't set off the powder ,was using CCI magnum #11 caps. I'm new at this and learning. FAST

 

[makarovfan]

I picked up one about 6 months ago from a local auction site for $110.
Pretty good shooter and my first BP rifle, now there is 4 different one's in the safe.
They are like potatoe chips you can't stop with one.

 

[goon]

I just got one from Gun Auction and took it out couple days ago shoots real nice ,but, don't try and use paper cartiges ,it won't set off the powder ,was using CCI magnum #11 caps. I'm new at this and learning. FAST

Rip the end off the cartridge, pour the powder down the bore, then cram the rest of the cartridge down. Should work fine as long as you get spark to your powder.

 

[CajunBass]

Thanks everybody. I'm going to have them hold it for me.

What's a good starting load for a round ball, using Pyrodex?

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

You can start with 60 grains and probably work up if you want. 60 grains should give you a pretty mild recoil and a chance to develop a sense of trajectory under 50 yards. If you are shooting further the charge will need to be increased. I was shooting my 50 cal flinter at 100 yards last weekend with 90 grains of 2F. The recoil could be felt but the accuracy was pretty good as long as I held steady. The shots were all hitting within an 8" circle once I got the sights adjusted standing freehand.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use 80 gr of Pyrodex with patched balls. Off a sandbag all shots can be placed in a paper plate at 100 yards.