“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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

The Thompson kits were reasonable and fun to put together

My anniversary model is 54 caliber and came in kit form. It was my first kit and had to learn as I went. I have started to refinish it a few times but it has grown on me and I wouldn't change anything on it.

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.

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.

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 .

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

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

I fully got the reference. Jeramiah Johnson is why I have always wanted a Hawken. I finally got the kit and am about to start working on it.

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

Jeremiah Johnson found his way into the mountains.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

Built mine from a kit. Amazing rifle. I would miss my double triggers. We would go out on our range and if we shot 15 to 20 rounds, that was a full day of shooting!

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.

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

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.

I know I have friends here because there are so many Jeremiah Johnson quotes… Del Gue: Ain't that Hatchet Jack's rifle? Jeremiah Johnson: Yep. Found him froze to a tree.

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 !!

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.

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.

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

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. 😎

"it killt the bear that killt me"

I got the .58 Caliber...My late wife bought it for me from Cabela's so many years ago....I will never sell it

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

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 bought one of these at Edelman's Sporting Goods in Wayne, NJ ca. late summer/early Fall 1974 shortly after I came home from 2 years, 8 months & 26 days with the Army in Germany...I hadda drive to Neshanic Station, NJ to find/buy a pound of black powder...had that rifle until I moved to FL in '79...cast my Maxi Ball & round ball projectiles with a Lee production pot...lots of fun - wish I still had it and that T/C still made them...

23:35 Thought you were losing it there for a second :)

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.

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

Black powder always has its place…👍🏻

I love the Hawken, getting one soon

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

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 .

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.

I built mine in 1979, my parents gave me the kit as a graduation present from college. I haven't shot it in years but I did buy some new powder for it just a few weeks ago. 🤝🤝👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

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

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!

This deserves 1 million views

When you snug that screw up it's probably causing a bit of binding on the inside there. Remove the lockplate and shave off just a bit from the stock inlet where it's binding and you can snug it up nicely afterwards without interference.

Best way to tell if you have a flinch or not is when the gun you're expecting to go bang, goes click!

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.

Love the Channel love Jeremiah Johnson!!!!! RESPECT 🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷

Beautiful Rifle! And Jeremiah Johnson was so imprinted on my brain watching it on TV as a little guy in the 1970's, absolutely love that movie. I too love my Black Powder firearms, they are so enjoyable to just slow down and shoot.

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

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.

Real guns smoke!

Just hunted with mine in .45 this weekend in the Georgia primitive weapons deer season! I wish they still made them.

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

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

That was hatchet jack's rifle in jeremiah johnson, then Johnson took it after hatchet jack was frozen in ice.

I love my TC Hawkins flinch lock lol I have got a deer every year since getting it when I was 15 that looks identical except mine being Flint lock and having a set trigger

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!!

Don’t fret Hickok I’ll gladly wait while you load anytime anywhere.

Killed my second deer back in '75 with a Thompson Center .50 cal (with the set trigger). I used a maxi ball and put a hole the size of a quarter clean through, entering the deer's left front, through it's heart and then out the right side. Damn good deer rifle!

"For those who didn't leave" - hahahaha No sir, this was my first time seeing a muzzle loader be operated and at the same time troubleshooted, so thsnk you!!

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

Any time spent with Hickok45 is time well spent.

I have a CVA Hawkin that Dad and I built from a kit in the early 1980s. We spent a lot of time putting it together. I killed my first deer with that rifle. It is the most valuable gun that I own. Nothing could replace the memories.

“I hatchet Jack, being of sound mind and broke legs do hearby leaveth my bear rifle to whatever finds it. It is a good rifle and kilt the bear that kilt me. Anyway I am dead.” -Sigma Jack

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

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

Anytime you put anything down the barrel to clean it, open up the hammer. That way oxygen can escape and enter. If you don't it'll create a vacuum effect and your ram rod will be stuck

He wanted a 50 but dang if it wasnt a hawkin gun...

Apparently resurrection of Thompson Center may be in the works. I hope so. Their kits (built a Hawken) were excellent. I also enjoy their Contenders.

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.

18 minutes to fire one bullet imagine a war being fought with this weapon

Олень на стрельбище что зашёл погулять вообще удивил)))

I bought a Hawken .50 kit in 1977 after i saw Jeremiah Johnson get spun around in the snow i knew i had to have one. Still have it today, excellent shooting rifle with double set triggers.

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

"Saw it right off", as Will Geer said to the pilgrim Jeremiah when he "didn't put enough dirt down" over his hot bedroll rocks. Yep, two great actors, but both too far left for me, especially with Will being an outright commie! Back when I was attending mountain man rendezvous right regular, my rifle of choice was a TC Hawkin in .54 caliber with double set triggers. Of course I couldn't resist makin it better by taking the shine off the stock, browning all the steel hardware and antiquing the brass. I finished it off with a browned Green River barrel and buckhorn site, and it was pretty durned accurate! Still own it, of course, and glad I hung onto it now that it's a collectible. I even used to make my own rocket fuel for it. The formula is the same as black powder, but not wanting to really dig into the laws on making your own black powder, well amateur rockets were legal at the time!

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

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!

We alwas love your stuff. Brother

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

Jeremiah Johnson and Mountain Men were my favorite movies in high-school. Now at 33 I just got a TCA .50cal Hawkens.

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

I never get tired of firing my Hawken.

You can tell, Hickok was really enjoying shooting that 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!

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.