Thompson Center High Plains Sporter??

[Mount Sweetness]

Any body own are have an opinion on a Thompson Center High Plains Sporter .50cal?

Came across a nice one used, it doesn't have the peep sight that I see most with. It has a 24in barrel, 1:48 twist.

Is this a reliable, accurate gun? Misfires issues galore??

Interesting in using it for occasional Whitetail hunting.

 

[snowshoe]

I just found a picture of one, it looks great. I had a Lyman Deerstalker that has the same rifling twist and barrel length, and it worked great. I used round balls and Pyrodex with a "magnum spitfire nipple" and only had a couple of hang fires. When I used real black powder the rifle went off perfectly. Many whitetails fell to that rifle from 12 feet to 110 yards. I would jump at that rifle at the right price.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

The shop selling it said...."when you need it most it won't work"....he said the primers are notoriously junk

He was asking $295 plus taxes, gun has actually been used - looks nice, 95% condition

comments?

 

[beefman]

The shop selling it said...."when you need it most it won't work"....he said the primers are notoriously junk

He was asking $295 plus taxes, gun has actually been used - looks nice, 95% condition

comments?

Nothing wrong with that gun at all...my TC perc. gun never let me down.

If it does have ignition problems, buy a Hot Shot nipple. #11 perc. caps don't have much "ummph" behind them(compared to 209's)...use REAL BP, or Pyro...NOT 777 etc.

I'd offer him $250, or $300 with a few accessories thrown in, if you don't have the basics.

 

[snowshoe]

The shop selling it said...."when you need it most it won't work"....he said the primers are notoriously junk

He was asking $295 plus taxes, gun has actually been used - looks nice, 95% condition

comments?

He knows nothing about percussion muzzleloaders, or he is trying to sell you a new one. I would offer him $200 if he thinks it is such a poor gun, but I would not pay more than $250. I am currently shooting a Lyman Trade rifle in .54 using real black powder, and have never had a miss or hange fire, even in poor weather.

 

[H Wally]

Sounds like he has formed his opinion from Sh*tty guns and bad shooters.

Use it to your advantage - haggle him down. Nothing inherently wrong with the TC lineup.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

I had thought $295 was slightly high but not terrible.

I think he was trying to sell me on a TC Triumph Bone Collector, but then again 95% of his customers probably only show interest in inline, I don't blame the guy. He had said that The High Plains would be for a guy that enjoys hunting with traditional gear.

He mentioned that when you need it most they have a tendency to let you down. I asked if it was the powder getting damp and he said he believes it is more a issue of weak primers usually associated with percussion cap guns.

The Triumph felt great but I am into wood stocks...then I saw the old High Plains sitting there all lonely....she felt nice and had enough use to it that I'd believe it had seen some decent action but was well taken care of.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

Hope to get this sweetheart for Christmas...

 

[grinrgrn]

He mentioned that when you need it most they have a tendency to let you down. I asked if it was the powder getting damp and he said he believes it is more a issue of weak primers usually associated with percussion cap guns.

All the better...beat him down some more,lol.

Ignition problems are usually the result of poor maintenance and not the primer's fault.If it's your first BP rifle,be forewarned that they are high maintenance and you'll need to adhere to a disciplined cleaning procedure for it to be reliable.Remove the nipple when cleaning and make sure the flash hole is clear of gunk...a welders pick or any fine wire will suffice for this.when you reassemble the gun after cleaning,fire a cap or two at a patch on the floor to make sure everything is working as it should and to help blow out any remaining moisture(you clean it with water,eh).The patch will move on the floor from the gas of the cap being disharged,then you know your nipple is clear.And always use REAL BLACK POWDER(Goex,Swiss etc.) in a sidelock and not one of these modern subs like 777,Pyrodex and the like.Real BP has a lower ignition temp than the subs and will light up much more reliably with a cap or flint gun.The subs are designed for in-lines and the hotter 209 primers.


FWIW,that's not a bad price at all for that rifle if it's in good shape imho?Have you priced a new T/C Hawken lately?...yikes!