Total Newbbie BP questions -- Hawken .54 cal BP

[seasidehiker]

What is the deal with the used .54 cal Hawken rifle? are they good ??

the reason I ask is because I see on the website they offer the .50 cal ones for sale, but not the .54 ones anymore. Is the .54 better than the .50 or did they quit making them for some reason a newbie like me doesn't know yet or understand?

{ Bigger is bette?? }

What is the value of a used one, is it worth $200, $225 ???

I would like to get a BP rifle but don't know much.


any advice, comments welcomed - hope all had a wonderful turkey day

 

[mykeal]

What website?

 

[RWMC]

I bought my Thompson Center Renegade .54 caliber rifle used, around 7 years ago, for $200 at a gun show. I did take a little bore light to drop down the barrel so I could see if there were pits or rust in the bore. The one I bought was the oldest one of 3 that were for sale. It had the best bore. Neglect and laziness is far more damaging than age when it comes to bore condition. I love my .54. It was made between 76-78. If at all possible, check it out in person, and check out that bore! I still see T/C .50 and .54 rifles for around $225 - $275. Good Luck in your search!

 

[AJumbo]

I have never had to shoot any game animal more than once with my .54, and I know more than a few hunters who's rather use a .54 round ball on elk than any sabot out there. Fifties are capable, but .54s are just moreso.

 

[J-Bar]

I have a TC .54 and it kills deer just fine. Obviously the .50s will do the job also or else they would not make so many of them.

I have read articles saying that elk hunters prefer the .54, but I don't hunt elk so I can't verify that.

If I were starting out and found a good buy on either a .50 or .54 I would grab it. Most of the time that 4/100 difference in diameter isn't going to matter much.

 

[Pancho]

You'll find that it is a market demand thing inline 50's are the most popular gun in the market. Finding stuff for a 54 is not as easy as for a 50. Your local gun store or Walmart will carry a lot of different choices of rounds for a 50 but maybe nothing for a 54. If "bigger is better" and you really want to smack-um-down and don't mind mail ordering go with a 58.

 

[seasidehiker]

Thanks for the comments

this is a kit gun TC hawken - I think I can get it for 200/under

I might take a chance on it - oh yeah I'd love a .58 but this is the deal available.

 

[ThorinNNY]

I have a Lyman GPR in .54 cal that won`t shoot a group with less than 80 grains of powder, it seems to like 90 grains much better.More than all right for hunting, but for target shooting, I got myself a .50 cal barrel . I can compete in matches lasting from 9AM -5 PM Fiday,Saturday& Sunday shooting the .50 all day long with loads that don`t punish my shoulder.

 

[Pancho]

Ok seaside, now we know a little bit more about your needs. Just realize that 54 cal. was never a very popular caliber and your shooting needs are available but not easily gotten.

 

[seasidehiker]

Thanks Pancho & others

guy took it off before I could grab it.

so I'll be studying some and listening on the Muzzy boards - I would like to get a BP rifle I could whack an Elk with. I bagged an archery elk before so something in there in that range I think I want. Deer Elk big game etc

Maybe I should just get an in line - but I know some states like Idaho I think have started moving back to more traditional. any way thanks for the help & comments.