Thompson Center 50 Caliber Hawken 25th Anniversary Model 

“It is a good rifle and kilt the bear that kilt me. Anyway, I am dead. Yours truly, Hatchet Jack.”

My cousin's husband, a WWII Fighter Pilot in the Pacific, helped me build my rifle in 1989. That rifle taught me to take my time, forget any problems I had and concentrate on loading and firing. Two times forgetting the powder after placing the patch and ball and I never did it again! TC made a great rifle, and I spent more time cleaning and caring for it than I did shooting it. It still looks like new. Nothing like the smell of powder on a cool Fall morning.

I have a T/C .50 Hawken rifle my dad bought as a kit in 1978 when I was 12 years old. I spent many hours rubbing Linseed Oil & sanding that Walnut stock. We’d go to the local Black Powder Club monthly shoots. We built a CVA .50 Mountain Rifle kit for me since it was a bit lighter. I even won a few medals & plaques too! Dad passed shortly afterwards and while today I own several modern firearms, those two (reproduction) smoke poles are my most cherished possessions.

I love, how we learned together, not to tighten the screws too much. Another reason I enjoy Hickock 45's content.

Bought my TC Hawkin 50 cal in the early 70s. Couldn't get it sighted in for the life of me. Took the barrel to the local gun shop, who sent it back to TC. Within a couple weeks, TC sent me a new barrel, saying after they checked, it was a little out. Finest shooting weapon I ever owned. Pure joy to shoot, and a fan of TC for life.

My dad taught me that when you are snapping caps before loading, point the barrel at a leaf on the ground. If it blows the leaf apart, you're ready to load. But your way with firing black powder into the air sounds fun too. Haha

What a great gun. I bought one in a kit from Walmart. A Thompson Center Hawken with a set trigger in the late 80s. Harvested around 30 deer with it. Retired it and went to a Thompson Center Encore in 209 x 50. Another great one.

The Thompson kits were reasonable and fun to put together

.... no matter the challenges or issues - its always interesting & a joy to watch this guy !

I have one of these with double-set triggers, purchased in the early 1970's. I haven't shot it for years but might take it out to the range after watching your video. It is a beautiful, well-made rifle that is more accurate than me. Ballistol is a good product; I use it on all my black powder firearms. Love your shirt!

I have a TC Hawken in .45 that I purchased in either '74 or '75 at a gun shop outside the main gate at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. It turned out to be a real tack driver. It won many turkey shoots, killed many squirrel and a couple deer (maxi ball). I love it.

I too bought my 50 cal. TC hawken in 1974. It came as a kit I assembled with an antique finish. I love it and still hunt with it today !!

My mom bought me one of these in kit form for Christmas back in the early 80s. It has the double set triggers. I browned the barrel and stained the stock a nice reddish brown. Very accurate rifle and I still have it today. No telling how many pounds of black powder I’ve put thru this.

I bought one about 10 years ago ,used at a local gun shop .I was owned by a re-enactor .200. bucks like new ,it's still like new because I've never fired it . A friend had one when we were in the U.S. Navy back in the 70's and I thought it was the coolest thing I ever fired . Great video and it was a great movie .

I’m 14 My deer rifle I got for Christmas is a Thompson Center Compass Shot it about 10 shots one day while sighting it in with my dad and it shoots amazing It’s a .308

In case youdidn't know it, Hatchet Jack Was a REAL, historical character! And of course, Jeremiah Johnson wasn't the correct name of the real man! His name was John JOHNSTON! Many years ago I had one like that but mine DID have the double set triggers! I competed at Many Rendezvous, with it! It was very accurate! I am like you, and can't say enough good about them and Thompson Center rifles! Also, like you, I now shoot .54 caliber rifles! Even though the venerable, .50 caliber took lots of game and even many enemies, in the days when they were such prized weapons, for hunting, I prefer the .54 over the .50! I think it just packs a bigger punch! Thanks for the trip down mamory lane!

I have my dads Hawken from 79, I love it.

Beautiful! And quite the handy length. I actually guessed they started making them in '70. I remembered how popular they were when I was a kid. I used to see the kits at the Navy Exchange.

Dude....your references brought back so many memories.

I have a Hawken in 45 caliber. I love it! Side hammers have a special place in my heart.

I built one from a kit back around 1986, $125 kit I think. Double set triggers. I put a palm swell on the grip, but it turned out really sweet. It was stolen in 2001 while I was deployed. But it shot really well with a 370 grain maxi ball. can't remember the powder charge but it was pretty healthy.

Jeremiah Johnson found his way into the mountains.

I agree sir. Looks like a lot of fun.

I have a 25th anniversary model but in 54 caliber and it was a kit. My parents bought it for me for my birthday. Last firearm I would ever sell. Mine isn't so pristine. I have carried it many a mile and hunted with it.

Any time spent with Hickok45 is time well spent.

I built my kit in 1975, browned the barrel.Great shooter!

My CVA Hawken had the same problem. Back in the 80's I kit built mine and it took a while for me to figure out that the "lock retention screw" if over tightened would bind the trigger mechanics up. You figured it out faster than I did.

This is such a great channel. Hickok and his son do the best gun reviews on RU-vid, by far!

I picked one out in kit form at a trading post in Mountain Home Arkansas. The proprietor let me go through a few boxes to the best walnut stock. I plum blues the barrel. Dad built one shortly thereafter. We shot them at south coast gun club in California for decades. Thanks for this vid and the memories.

I really enjoyed your video with the TC 50 Cal Hawken I'm 79 yrs. old and I have 2 of them . I built one as a kit in about 1973 and I have shot them many, many times love shooting them very accurate .

My dad bought me a 58 caliber Zouave rifle in the early 1970’s. I always had a terrific time shooting that beast.

I built a kit 54 cal. Hawkins 20 years ago only shoot it 12 times. This makes me want to get it out and shoot it again, soo much fun.

Take all the time you need sir. Appreciate you.

I've been a subscriber for years. This is what I like about RU-vidrs...when they don't get it right the first time and aren't afraid to admit it.

Still got by circa-1985 TC .50. Christmas present when I was in high-school. I made many of the "accouterments" myself like a powder horn, leather possibles bag, nipple wrench, range rod, starter and patch knife. Enjoyed it very much, but haven't shot it in years. Got more into cap & ball pistols and a .32 squirrel gun. Thought I might get it out last winter, but it burns so much powder compared to my other choices. Still, this whets my appetite. Need to get to the mountains and do some shooting. Also a couple old military surplus rifles.

The last Thompson Center rifle I bought had Smith & Wesson stamped more boldly in the barrel than Thompson Center. I learned to never get rid of a gun after selling a TC-R22. It was a 10/22 clone that shot better than any 10/22 I have ever shot. An employee at the gun store put it in the back and went home with it that day. I did however get an M&P 15/22 because I think we all may need a small game gun real soon. God Bless Yall and I mean the Hickoks AND the viewers.

Never saw TC Hawken with single trigger before. Beauty for sure.

My Mom & Dad bought this gun for me in 79 or 80 while still in High School. I still have it. Haven't shot it for quite a while. Fun to shoot.

I saw one on a gun rack in my local sporting goods shop and loved all the ornate brass. Bought it for $200. It decorates my work shop/man cave. Haven’t shot it(likely won’t)but it sure looks great.

Seeing the "learning process" makes your videos even more educational and enjoyable to watch. The dialogue between the shootings is important even when you are learning on the job. That's a beautiful rifle for sure and I'm guessing we will see it again. I would like it if you would show us how to remove the barrel.

I have no idea who made the one I have but my dad bought it as a kit. Unfinished stock totally unassembled and it came with 2 barrels. 50 and 54 caliber. Had it probably nearly 30 yrs. Ours has 2 triggers too. Set the first and the rear turns into a hair trigger. Pretty cool rifle

I had one back in the late 70s. Fantastic balance and accuracy. Wish I still had it. Had to sell it due to financial problems. Beautiful gun. Fire a couple of caps with no load in it. Helps dry things out in the nipple and barrel. *** Dang you listened to me real quick there!

Had my TC Hawken since the late 80’s. Haven’t had it out for awhile, need to correct that. Thanks for the video!

I inherited a TC .50 cal from my best friends Dad and thats the reason I got my firearms Possession and Acquisition License(Canada). Thanks hickok45 for these excellent instructional videos and its because of you I had confidence I knew what I was doing to fire it. Keep these muzzleloader vids coming!!

I will be trying out my recently aquired TC hawkin like your, except it has a double trigger set. That over tighten screw was a good insight. Thank you for this video.

I've never seen a T/C Hawken that doesn't have double set triggers before.

Been in the hospital with the stupid COVID. Watching you enjoy guns and shooting has kept me busy and happy while I recover. Thanks for what you guys do.

Old man for sure have those Hawk's eyes. That was great

My first blackpowder firearm was a T/C Hawken in .54 percussion. I still have it and it is a top shelf production rifle. IMO the best. I bought it in 84 and it was made in 77. Nice looking rifle Mr.

My dad had to retire his two years ago, shot the rifling out of it over 40 years of shooting. Great rifle.

My very first Hawken rifle was a Thompson Center. I wish I still had it. I have the Traditions Hawken Woodsmen 50 cal. Thanks for sharing.

"it killt the bear that killt me"

I miss my T/C Renegade Hunter in .50 Cal. But my wife still has her .45 Cal Cherokee that I bought her for our first anniversary. We are at 34 years in November.

my favorite movie. could you imagine getting off a boat and going to live in the mountins back then.

I own three original Hawken rifles. One is .30 cal, one is .45 and a .50. They are in great shape especially for their age. And shoot very well.

I like my Thompson 50cal. Thanks for the insight. I learned something

Still have my Dad's that he bought in the late 70's. Seems like he said he paid around $80 for it then and I can remember them in the early 2000's cabela's catalogs for around $435. Have always been amazed at the 50yd accuracy with open sights and a simple round ball over 70 grains. Fun to shoot, and if its not a pain to clean, then you ain't doing it right.

Always can watch Hickok and big John!

We alwas love your stuff. Brother

I bought a T/C flintlock new back in 2006. Still have it and will never sell it. Once of the nicest rifles I have.

I own that same rifle, only mine has two triggers instead of one. Never fired it. Bought it to hang on the wall. I own a double barreled rifles, as well. (In 50 cal.) Also a wall hanger. They are works of art to me. Thanks for the share!!

I’ve got that exact same rifle. My dad got it for me, oh my goodness, back in the 90s. It’s a fun gun.

I have a TC Hawkins. 50 cal I bought new 12 or 15 years ago but, mine wasn't the anniversary model and my has double triggers / set trigger. It loves 100 grains black powder or a 30-06 brass case for power measurer and TC maxi mini ball bullets 320 gr. I taken 4 deer with it. I love the looks of the gun.thank you

I just got my hands on a Hawken my grandpa built from the kit from Thompson back in the day...I have many guns but have no clue about black powder, this was a very informative video!

I have a 50 I bought in 78 and still printing 1&1/2” at 100 yards

I have a 50 cal Renegade, put it together in the 70's and have been using it for years

Had 2 kits first one was stolen second one on the gun rack enjoyed THANKS!.

I bought this model as a kit in the late 70s . still have it.

While at Ft Devens Ma, I went to Rochester NH and bought a 45cal TC Hawkins in 1972. Still beautiful, still shoots love it.

I have an older model TC Hawken 50 caliber. So fun to shoot. We have a muzzle loader range at the club. It's a great social hobby. Black powder guns are so much fun.

As a greeral rule, prior to loading the powder, leave a fired cap on the cone or nipple. Safety first and always. What that does is prevent any possibility of a "cook-off" and prevents air to enter the nipple while pouring the charge of powder down the bore.

I built one from a kit in 79. One heck of a nice accurate rifle. I sold it for what I had in it. Wish I

My TC Hawkin was a kit gun, I did all of the finishing work (both metal and wood). It is a flintlock, and I built it around 40 years ago.

I bought a .50 cal. TC Hawken Rifle in 1979. It was the best thing I ever owned. I found that holding the trigger back partway while cocking so the sear is barely holding the hammer makes it cleaner to break.

Glad to see you fire that unfurled gun. Mostly cause I could never do that if it were mine! Keep on keepin’ on!

I assembled a Thompson-Center 50 cal. Renegade rifle back around '75 and had lots of fun with the wife and kids shooting .22, 8mm Mauser, and the 50 TC. Everyone loved the 'smoke pole', even when it took sooo long to load. I was shooting 3/4 in. groups at 50 yards, so no complaints. Mine has dual set triggers set at about 1 pound. BTW, my barrel is 1/66 which isn't for round ball, rather for the Maxiball 375 grain bullet. Have around 50 I've cast and lubed, ready to defend with the minute men. LOL (I'm 75)

You're the grandpa I always wanted I love your videos and I like the Sunday shooting videos 😂💯

What a beautiful rifle and legendary for being well made as well. I did not have a TC Hawken..my wife presented me with a TC Renegade in .54 caliber for Christmas back in 1985 as my choice for my first muzzleloading rifle as I wanted a muzzleloading rifle for the specific purpose for deer hunting felt I didn't want any shiny brass furniture on my deer hunting rifle. The lock and action was exactly the same as on the Hawken though it was a fine rifle. Very dependable and accurate it would shoot patched round balls and 'maxi balls' with equal accuracy. Too bad what happened with Thompson Center back in the 1970's and 1980's they were the standard of the industry in traditional style sidelock mass-produced muzzleloading rifles.

In-lines took the stage but those of us who love these consider them functional art

Love it. Glad to see there are still some 25th Anniversary rifles still out there. I bought a 25th Anniversary flintlock in a kit form. It came with the barrel already blued and stamped with the 25th Anniversary insignia. It does have the double trigger and is quite accurate. I have shot a number of deer with it. It still looks like new. Enjoy.

You can tell, Hickok was really enjoying shooting that rifle

Wife bought one for her Dad back in the day and she has now inherited it. Been cleaned up to look like new.

It's at the top of my list.. Dream gun...😢

I bought one today at the jockey lot for $200. It is older and has a set trigger. It is beautiful!

Glad to see you mark the ramrod. Mine is marked for 90 grains of Goex. I also use spit patches. When shooting I carry several patches in my mouth. I think it helps in cleaning. Maybe just old fashioned. But my CVA Mountain rifle usually hits what I point it at.

Cool. I am a big TC fan. I have lived most of my life one town away from Rochester, NH. I have a custom shop Hawken Flintlock. 32" barrel, gloss finish, and super nice walnut. Deadly "accurate" 1:66 round ball twist. I just picked up a custom shop fifty caliber Scout pistol. Beautiful piece. Would love to see you do a video with a Scout. Great fun. Big heavy pistol. He's happy with 80 grains of FFG. Thanks. Happy Thursday.

That’s a beauty! I would be proud to own it ! Keep smiling 😊! 👍👍

I have a 1978 T/C Hawken .50cal my dad bought as a kit & we assembled together. I was 11yrs & my job was to hand rub linseed oil for the maple stock. He added a peep sight. He bought me a CVA .50 Mountain Rifle kit for my 12th bday. We belonged to the Central Florida Long Rifles Muzzle Loaders Assoc & we both took 1st Place in several monthly shooting matches. Dad passed about a year later and those muzzle loaders are still the favorites of my firearms collection. I’d never sell them. I still love taking those smoke poles to the range & cutting Xs with a big plume of smoke & fire while my buddies are wondering how the hell I made that shot!

Got mine as a kit in 1978. Mine had a set trigger.

Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.

I have the hawkin .54 renegade. Great shooting and a beautiful rifle.

My Hawken is a .54 caliber. And was a kit build from CVA, that I built way back in the late 1970's. Not sure they even make them now. The barrel was browned, not blued. And all the fittings were browned steel, and not brass. I've taken 2 deer and one elk with that rifle. And since it was a gift from Dad, that he helped me build, I will never sell it, and it will remain mine until I die.

I still have the T/C 50 cal Hawken kit gun that I built in 1976. That is one gun which I will have for the rest of my life.

Beautiful rifles. I had one many years ago. Mine was a 50 with the double set triggers. I used it to deer hunt with a 686 on my hip in case I needed a follow up shot... Unfortunately that was back in the day when ornate gun cabinets were the thing and nobody had gun safes. Someone decided they needed it more I did. I lost eleven long guns and three handguns in addition to various electronics and coin collections. It was a bad day. The 686 was eventually recovered anf I still have it to this day. I always enjoyed firing that rifle, in addition to being beautiful, it was very accurate and would reach out a good distance.

I've got a couple of TC Hawkens. GREAT gun.

Enjoy watching your videos always learn something.

Outstanding Film, highly recommend it.

mine first was a 54 cal. Thompson love it

I have four . One kit which has a longer barrel for some reason . One standard as yours and two Grey hawks . The Greyhawks are 54 caliber the others are 50 calibers. I highly recommend the Greyhawk if you can find one . Wood doesn't really matter to me or double set triggers,they do work well though. The Greyhawks are the first modern rifles Thompson produced . Plastic and stainless round barrels with traditional action and recoil pad . The guns were based on the Hawken 1-48 twist with the "New England" frame . They were available with interchangeable barrels even shotgun barrels all sizes. Very open trigger guard with single and nice trigger pull. I shoot Hornady swedged balls only no cast lead . Black powder only nothing else. I go about 90 grains top . The 54 is more accurate with balls for the reason it gets more spin from the diameter of the ball. The way you started is perfect with the caps and burning some powder. Something is up with the action but just needs more shooting. I went synthetic with the ram rod and went an inch longer for easy pull out . Benched it hits 1" groups at 100 yards . It would be better with a slower twist for balls. The Power belts work well but are expensive . It's really too bad Thompson dropped the Greyhawk but they did come out with a Firehawk in steel . The carbines are a faster twist and are no good for lead balls. No pretty wood on my Greyhawk but function and the blast feels fine with me .I did put True glow sights on mine and it came with a Ghost ring. Best sights on al Hawkens . The craziest thing is one time deer hunting I quit early and fired to unload and a deer almost walked to me . Very funny to see that deer just walk through. Nice shooting and thanks for the great video. 😎