Thompson Center Arms - Muzzleloading Rifles and Pistols

Muzzleloading Rifles and Pistols

Thompson Center manufactures a variety of muzzleloading rifles of both Traditional and Inline designs, and sells percussion and flintlock rifles in a wide variety of bore diameters. Some of the better-known models are the Renegade, the Hawken, the Big Boar, and the White Mountain.

The Thompson/Center Hawken is largely responsible for the resurgence of black powder hunting that began in the U.S. in 1970 when Warren Center designed the firm's Hawken-styled rifle. Thompson Center's reintroduced Hawken-styled rifle with solid brass hardware and an American walnut stock, styled in large part on "plains rifles" made by Hawken in the 1800s, has become one of the most-copied firearms designs in history.

The Encore 209x.50 Magnum muzzleloader is a modern-design muzzleloader, and can interchange with centerfire barrels. Based on a single-shot, break-action, the 209x.50 is capable of "minute of angle" accuracy. The 209x.50 can handle charges of up to 150 grains (9.7 g) of black powder or Pyrodex equivalent. Using a 26" barrel and a 250-grain (16 g) bullet with 3 Pyrodex Pellets, it produces a muzzle velocity of 2203 ft./second. The G2 Contender muzzleloader accepts magnum charges for long range shooting. Charges of up to 150 grains (9.7 g) of FFG Black Powder or three (3) 50-grain Pyrodex Pellets produce velocities of approximately 2,400 ft/s (730 m/s) at the muzzle. The Omega can handle 150 grains (9.7 g) of Black Powder or Pyrodex equivalent, or three 50-grain (3.2 g) Pyrodex pellets. With its 28" barrel it burns magnum charges very efficiently. The Triumph muzzleloader comes in .50 cal. with a 28" barrel and composite stock.

From 1972 to 1997, Thompson/Center also offered a very elegantly made single-shot muzzleloading target pistol of traditional design called the Patriot. Highly accurate, and featuring adjustable double set triggers, it was available in .36 and .45 calibers though the latter was much more common. Its small lock design also was used in a light, delicate rifle called the Seneca. Unfortunately a major factory fire in 1996 destroyed all tooling and parts for these weapons. As a result, they were discontinued, and surviving examples appear for sale only rarely.

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