The T/C ThuderHawk

[Douglas Blair]

I think the inline industory has "run away with the plow" on the inlines. Out of ALL the inlines which use black powder I like the Thunderhawk best. Too bad it is no longer made. Why is it my favorite inline? It is short, it is light so you can carry it all day without dragging you down, as accurate as any of the other inlines, and no breechplug to remove to clean, and if that wasn't enough it is stupidly simple made, and it will handle a 150-grain powder charge (for the ones who think they need that much powder). So what is there not to like about this gun? Good question. ;D

[Batchief909]

Doug, any idea why they quit making them? Sales must have been disappointing?

[Douglas Blair]

I have no idea why they quit making them, but they may have been built too simple to give any trouble so they couldn't sell more guns in a year of two.

[lonewolf]

I have a t/c thunderhawk in 54 cal. and as far as a inline it my favorite ,like you said it light simple ,and it always fires no matter what weather I am in rain,snow never failed me yet @ shoots great.

[Douglas Blair]

Lonewolf, that is also what I have is a .54 in stainless with a black "plastic" stock. This gun has never failed to fire no matter how wet or cold it was. I can't say the same of a MK-85 I also own. Have you tried the Remington 303 grain hollow point sabot bullets in yours? Boy they shoot good in mine.

[Underclocked]

I've never owned a Thunderhawk nor handled one but have read much the same commentary from other owners of that rifle. I do believe I saw a place while cruising the net the other day that still has them for sale - at least per the website. Edit: have to add that I don't seem to find them again but did find three at a surprising place: www.williamsgunsight.com/813usedblkpowderguns.htm

I think this little T/C is kinda neat:


Just a tad under 7 pounds as pictured. Kicks like a mule with heavy conicals but I'll find something that works well in it.

[Batchief909]

You just had to do that, didn't you. I'm seriously looking at an Encore right now, but that G2 sure looks sweeeeeet!

[lonewolf]

Douglas Blair I have the blue and walnut stock in the thunderhawk: I seem to remember the price was $139.00
for the m/l on closeout;
I seem to favor precision and nosler sabots 300 to 350 grain also seem to favor pyrodex select ,won't shoot a conical bullet to safe it life,why I really don't know.

[JACKJR60]

lonewolf, I've had two Thunderhawks and one Thompson System 1 MLer and all three did not shoot concials very well. All three of these rifles had the 1 in 38 twist. I believe that is the reason for poor conical performance. Now the sabots in the 300-350 gr range worked fine. I also think having no removable breech plug helped do the Thundehawk in.

Jack

[lonewolf]

I am pleased with the thunderhawk perfromance she will print some nice group at the 100 yard target.I would have to say on a good day maybe clover leaf group otherwise no more then 2 inch groups at the 100 yard target.
My other t/c are a new englander in 54 cal. that is a tack driver @ my t/c flinter in 50 cal. with the hunter peep sight and a upgrade frizzen from lyman .
I am looking to drop a green mountain 1 in 70 twist in the t/c flinter this year,seem GM is making the 54 cal. barrel in 15/16 across the flats that will fit into the hawkens stock.

[rdtimmjr]

Doug, I have purchased probably 10 or 12 Thunderhawks, because even though I kept all my TC Hawkens and Renegades, I had to progress upward. When the TH was discontinued, they were just about giving away the .54 calibers at many retailers. I have since given as gifts or sold for a song all of them to folks new to muzzleloading to get them started. Kentucky is a progressive state for muzzleloading so every year there is a new crop of both young and old fellows wanting to try it. I couldn't have felt better than last year's season when an 8yr old shot his first deer(doe) using one of my ThunderHawks with 60 gr of Pyrodex. He called me on the phone and all he said was "I got one". He didn't even tell me his name, that was more enjoyable than the buck I harvested.
These were great muzzleloaders but I would guess that TC marketing said out with the old and in with the new. I guess I fell for it hook, line and sinker because I now own no Thunderhawks but have bought 6 System 1s to go with my Savage. I haven't even shot some of them so I may be seeking advice on such in the future?

[Douglas Blair]

I don't see how a non-removable breechplug would do in any gun. This is one less piece of the gun you have to fool with cleaning. And I can clean one of the Thunder Hawks quicker and easier than one with a removable breechplug. I guess some shooters like to be able to look through the barrel better than through the nipple port will allow to make sure everything is clean.