New to me TC Greyhawk 50 cal.

[Cattledog]

Hi Guy's

First time posting in the sidelock forum. I saw a GreyHawk few years back and liked the concept for wet weather hunting. Yesterday, I walked into Kittery looking for a turkey choke and found a TC GreyHawk that had never been shot. I think I overpaid a bit, but am happy with the rifle's condition. I pulled the nipple and there is no sign of powder or smell bore is perfect. This GreyHawk does not of the QLA.

My main thought for purchase was that #11 caps are much easier to find right now and in muzzleloader season. If I use it this season I might be the only guy locally hunting with a sidelock. My current plan is to sight the rifle with Goex FFFg, Barnes 250 grain TMZ, and Remmington #11 caps. Powder charge of maybe 75 gains to start? Does that load sound like a reasonable place to start? I would like to stay with the TMZ due it's past in field performance.

Thanks!

 

[deermanok]

That Grey Hawk is a nice rifle.
You might find that what works good in one rifle may not in another.
I'd recommend getting a couple different bullets to try out, even round balls.
Start with 60 grains volume of your 3f powder and work up from there.

 

[JIMYJAC]

Your going to like that one piece stock. Congrats!

 

[Pymahunter1]

I believe the Greyhawk is a 1 in 48 twist. It might not stabilize a projectile as long as the TMZ. Like Deermanok said, maybe round balls, or if you want to use a sabot, maybe a 250 gr XTP. Since you already have the TMZ’s, give them a try, but be ready to try something else.

 

[Cattledog]

Thanks! I really should have planned my projectile and velocity by the twist and barrel length.. Slugging the bore might be worth while too. I wonder how hard it would be to pull a copper vs lead bullet. I can't just remove the breach plug with a side lock.

Considering the gun's condition, I am planning on treating the muzzleloader with dyna tek before shooting. The coating has work amazing on my ultralight. My experience with unteated stainless TC Omega's has not been as good.

 

[deermanok]

I have good luck with Thompson Center Maxi Hunters, 275 grain.
My new favorite conical bullet is the Hornady PA Conical. 245 grain. A bit of a pain to start but they slide down the barrel easy and very accurate.
I

 

[BlackSmoke]

Greyhawk is 1:48, at least my NON-QLA rifle is. I put mine in a pristine walnut stock and added a TC peep. Its a really nice rifle to tote around, well balanced and shoots well. I shoot 80 grains of 3F BP and a 44 caliber 300 grain pistol bullet with the old vintage TC break-a-way sabots. It's minute of deer all day long. Like deermanok mine also like the maxis.

 

[Walkingeagle]

I think your load will be just fine. No worries.
Walk

 

[4stringdude]

Good for you! Back when they first came out, I really wanted a Greyhawk. The stainless barrel seemed great.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Seems like a great (carbine?) handy gun. 24" barrel and a synthetic stock. Should be a sweet rig to carry all day.

 

[Cattledog]

I agree it should be a great carrying rifle, defiantly muzzle weight forward. Interestingly there are no fittings for a sling or front strap. I don't use a slings, but not having the option is kinda odd. I am really looking forward to using it out of my tree saddle this fall. I think it will shine in that environment.

I looked thought the safe today to check on the bores of the other muzzleloaders... I will dry swab them a couple of times year. I think I have a thing for carbines There are now 6 in the collection...

 

[deermanok]

I have leather lace on slings for a couple of my rifles. They work good.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

I have leather lace on slings for a couple of my rifles. They work good.

Any pics?

 

[deermanok]

Any pics?

 

[deermanok]

Another one

 

[Slingingslugs]

Them look good deerman. Where you find the one on the full stock?

 

[deermanok]

Them look good deerman. Where you find the one on the full stock?

I think it came from October Country Muzzleloaders.

 

[UndeadPoet]

I’ve had a T/C leather lace-up sling for about 25+ years. It looks very similar to deermanok’s. It works great, but I will caution that if you leave it on a rifle with a brass butt plate for several years in a gun safe, it will tarnish your brass (I heard that from “a friend” lol). No permanent harm.

 

[Okie Hog]

The Greyhawk is a good rifle. BTW: The heavy tapered barrel allows the rifle to be bored to .58 caliber.

 

[short_start]

I really like the Greyhawk...have two 50s. Balance is about perfect and the stainless with synthetic stock will put up with most everything. Have a peep sight on one of mine.

Had a memorable stalk on a resting buck in an open hayfield on a sunny day with mine. Crept to within 25 yards of the animal before he stood and I shot him. Think I was using a 325 gr Maxihunter over 90 gr RS at that time.

When the smoke cleared a buck was standing there looking at the ground. I thought, "How could I have missed, he was so close." But it was a second buck that I hadn't noticed. He apparently came over to see what had happened to his buddy who was lying there in the hayfield.

Since I had left my possibles bag at the edge of the hayfield for the stalk, there was nothing I could do.