TC Hawken or Lyman Great Plains rifle/hunter?
- Thread starter USMCGrunt
- Start date
I have the T/C Hawken, it's a great rifle for what I do with it (mostly club shoots, rifle courses at rendezvous). It has a 1:48 twist barrel and shoots roundball loads very accurately up to about 75 grains, and conicals reasonably well although I have not experimented a lot with them. Length and weight is comfortable enough to shoot all day for me. I would also like to get a Great Plains Rifle sometime, mainly for hunting with round ball and maybe longer range shooting - because the slower 1:66 twist rate should allow for a faster RB load. Because it's a heavier and longer rifle, it could become a bit tiresome for the club shoots. The Great Plains Hunter has a faster 1:32 twist barrel, better suited for modern type projectiles. That's not really my interest so it would not be my choice.
How you plan to use it will make a difference, but I can certainly vouch for the quality and reliability of the T/C, and it is plenty versatile. But the GPR/GPH models have their strengths as well.
How you plan to use it will make a difference, but I can certainly vouch for the quality and reliability of the T/C, and it is plenty versatile. But the GPR/GPH models have their strengths as well.
deerslayer303
New member
Well of course I choose the Lyman GPR, because I own one. I have never shot a T/C Hawken so I can't really make an opinion on it. The GPR is a heavy bird no doubt, but because of the heft, I can hold it really steady when shooting standing and unsupported. And I never knew a round ball could be shot as accurately as the GPR throws them, it was unbelievable to me at first. Its a great rifle with an awesome set of double set triggers.
No, it means, "I like this one better than that one." And that's all it means. That's the reason wood fired pot belly stoves with enamel finished coffee pots on top and wood chairs and three-legged stools around them exist.Pahoo said:
Now, pour a cup, light that god-awful smelling pipe and sit yer butt down.
I own both and have shot more than a few rounds through both. I personally prefer the GPR. But if I didn't have a GPR (actually, more than one) I'd not hesitate one second to pick up a T/C Hawken. And I have no doubt whatsoever that for every one of me there's another iron-headed old fart out there who'll say the same thing about the T/C Hawken that I do about the GPR.
Pass the pot, please.
Last edited:
Choice
I think if you were at a traditional rifle match and would ask this question, the GPR would be the choice. Ive seen some GPRs go for what I thought was a fair price but never what I would call cheap. Not so with the TC Hawkin. It's not hard to buy one from time to time, 125-150.00 bucks, done it. Considering the retail price of the TC that says it all.
I think if you were at a traditional rifle match and would ask this question, the GPR would be the choice. Ive seen some GPRs go for what I thought was a fair price but never what I would call cheap. Not so with the TC Hawkin. It's not hard to buy one from time to time, 125-150.00 bucks, done it. Considering the retail price of the TC that says it all.
Strafer Gott
New member
I like them both, but I go with the GPR for shooting round ball. I bought the kit, saved a bunch of money, and installed the defarb as I built it. Plus you get about 5" more barrel with the GPR.
Jack O'Conner
New member
TC gets my vote for these features:
- superb fit & finish
- above average accuracy
- above average lock design
Jack
- superb fit & finish
- above average accuracy
- above average lock design
Jack
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
Thompson Center has always been my 1st choice. Why? Because their Hawken rifle is indeed American made. Where as Lyman model rifles are made by foreign manufactures.
GP all the way
I have two TC Scouts, one of which I like very much. Then I bought a TC Black Mountain Magnum - what junk! I sent it back to the factory but they said it was OK. So much for American made. Now I have GPR and a GPHunter. Each GP shoots better than that TC BMM and all the pieces fit like they're supposed to.
I have two TC Scouts, one of which I like very much. Then I bought a TC Black Mountain Magnum - what junk! I sent it back to the factory but they said it was OK. So much for American made. Now I have GPR and a GPHunter. Each GP shoots better than that TC BMM and all the pieces fit like they're supposed to.