T/C Seneca .36 cal. Rifle

[Wildwood-Lake]

Did they make many of these, I can't find one for sale anywhere. I would like to know the ball-park price for this. It's in real good condition with a 4 digit serial no. I believe it was made in the early 70's.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have a Seneca 36.
it was originally a 45 that I got cheap cause the barrel was rusted.
I ordered a new 36 cal barrel with a false muzzle from the TC Fox Ridge custom shop.

The 36 is Rare.
the few of us that have them, really like them and don't want to sell them.
the few I've seen for sale have been over $300.
I'd need to see the patch run through the bore before I'd pay any more than $200.
if the bore is pristine, it should go for about $400.
is the wood stock plain ? or is there some figure to the grain ?
I can't see much of the stock from your photos,
from what I can see, it appears kind of plain.
But, if it has some nice figure, add $100
Jon

[scb]

Go to Gunbroker.com
Search: t/c Seneca
right now this will return 0 results.
under the "search" button click on advance search.
where it says "show only" click the arrow where it says "current" and pick "ended in last 90 days"
Shows 13, 36 cal. sold with bids between $300.00 and $450.00

[45-70 Chevroner]

The best way to check for rust is to just clean the bore with any black powder cleaning solution and if it has any rust it will show up on the patch. As for rust pitting and the rifle being a 36 cal. it's probably going to be hard to find a bore lite that will drop down the barrel. I think the smallist I have seen would drop into a 45 cal. but I'm sure it was to large for a 36.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

The bore does look like it has rust and wood needs cleaned. But I wouldn't say it's plain.
I removed the barrel and there is a small screw on the side of the breech what is that for, can you remove the breech from the barrel. How do you look to see the inside the barrel.

I am unsure about the Screw you mention. The breechplug is removable...I think, I've never done that, never need to. I don't know how you can "look" down the barrel. The patch will tell the story as "45-70 Chevroner" mentions. If you're not set up for BP supplies, Hopefully you have a 36 cal. jag (it should fit the bore snugly with a patch) to fit on the ram rod or any rifle cleaning rod, coat a patch with Crisco or even just cooking oil and run it through the bore a few times, if it goes in and out smoothly and the patch is fairly clean or even just a little pinkish rusty, that is OK, but if the bore is badly rust pitted, you'll know it, you'll probably get the jag/patch stuck in it.
Jon


The best way to check for rust is to just clean the bore with any black powder cleaning solution and if it has any rust it will show up on the patch. As for rust pitting and the rifle being a 36 cal. it's probably going to be hard to find a bore lite that will drop down the barrel. I think the smallist I have seen would drop into a 45 cal. but I'm sure it was to large for a 36.

[northmn]

As you have a patch remover push a white iece of cloth down the bore and leave it at the breech and then use the bore light to look down the bore. You cna then use the patch remover to remove it. Also if a tight patch can be run down the bore and out again smoothly it likely is not pitted. You will also see rust on a white patch. TC Senecas are prized today.

DP

[405]

36 Senecas are cute little buggers!
The small screw in the side of the bolster is a "clean out" that connects to the flash channel between the nipple and the breech/bore. Some type of MLs have them and some don't. One of those "good idea" features that in practice I never use even though a couple of my MLs have them. There are drop in bore lights that will fit into a 36 cal but you have to search around to find them. That is the best way to have a look-see at the bore. Taking the plug/bolster off of the barrel is done only as a last resort- as when fitting a new barrel to the plug. Taking it off will screw up the dressed mating surfaces. A good tight patch with solvent over the right sized jag all attached to a GOOD cleaning rod is the way to check for rust in the bore. Even if you can't see it on the patch after running thru you can sure enough feel any roughness. Sans a small diameter drop in bore light, you can put something reflective like a white piece of paper or patch in the breech (bottom) and shine a small bright light into the bore to at least get a partial look at the bore surface- as others have suggested. If the bore is very rough at all it will detract from the value a lot for me... for others- not so much. Personal tastes I guess but life is too short to fight with rough/pitted bores in "modern" guns.

[bubba.50]

forget the exact name of it but i got a light at o'reilly's auto parts that will fit in a .243 barrel. it's a slim pencil light about 4 or 5in long and has a pocket clip. was up near the register in my local store. be careful when ya look down the bore with one though. that sucker's bright!

[troy_mclure]

i was recently on a hunt for a .36 muzzleloader. i saw a few senecas. the highest priced one was $800, it was unfired with a curly maple stock.

the lowest priced one was $300 and was a "smooth bore" the rifling was so bad.

if there is no pitting from the rust you should be able to get $400 for it.

[Ajax]

I wouldn't remove the breech plug enless nessecary. It is not nessecary to remove the breech plug to clean or see rifling.

Andy

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

PM sent
Jon

[troy_mclure]

there isnt really much demand for them, thats why the supply is so low. if you are willing to wait for the price im sure you could, eventually. but its just gonna rust more as time goes buy. if somebody wants it or a .36 they wont buy it. the guy that bought the "smooth bore" was going to ream it to .40.

[roverboy]

With a really good cleaning, it should be ok. There might not be any pitting in it. For the right price somebody would be very happy with it. Didn't T/C make a .32 rifle once too?

[gifford]

Wildwood - PM sent. G

[smoked turkey]

PM sent earlier. I'll take it pending findings at the gun shop per our earlier discussion. Thanks.

[smoked turkey]

This is to bring this thread up to date. Don and I got together through PMs. Long story short I ended up buying the .36 Seneca from Don. I received it today. It is a wonderful and dare I say it is a cute little bugger as 405 said in his post. I told Don I will take care of it and give it a good home. I need a new nipple prior to giving it its first shooting session. I have posted under the straight shooter section what I think of my dealings with Wildwood-Lake. He is a straight shooter deluxe. Thanks Don.

[smoked turkey]

I received my new nipple from TC today. Couldn't wait to shoot the .36 Seneca. I cast up some .36 maxi-balls and had some .35 RB. I used 30 Gr. of Goex FFFg. I only had time to fire three rounds to check for function. The two PRBs loaded with about the right amount of pressure with the striped pillow ticking from Wally World and shot about 6" high at 50 yards at the current rear sight setting. The maxi shot the same. I can see why everyone that has one of the sleek and trim little .36 Senecas are taken by them. It was a joy to shoot. It will be a few days before I get another session with her, but I'm looking forward to it already.

[T-Bird]

I have a .32 Cherokee that is similar to the Seneca. Got it as a kit back in the 80's. Back when I had better eyes, I killed alot of squirrels with it. With my new glasses I can see the sights again-may have to dust it off. T-Bird

[smoked turkey]

I am with you on these old eyes. Things aren't what they used to be are they? T-Bird that little .32 sounds like a good-un. I have a TC Fire Hawk in .32 that I have used to take a few squirrels.Like the .36 it is a joy to shoot. As you may know the Fire Hawk is an in-line. I like it but it is much harder for me to clean than the hooked breech type of muzzleloaders (cap or flintlock variety). I think I would really like the .32 Cherokee. One thing about these small caliber front stuffers they are easy on powder. I used 30 gr. in my .36. I can't get it to center up at 50 yards. It wants to shoot high, so I am thinking of next session trying both 35 and 40 gr to see what that does to my point of impact. I would like to find a maxi ball mould for my .32. Do you know of one? I have had good luck with patched round ball but I just would like to give the maxi a try.

[T-Bird]

My cherokee shot well with 30gr pyrodex p. When I got that gun, T/C listed a 32 Maxiball. I never tried one, I viewed it too much for squirrel. Maybe find a mold? Yeah, for alot of years, my trifocals would not allow me to see sights and target at the same time so I went to scopes on everything. Now I guess my eyes are bad enough that my glasses are strong enough that I can see irons again- go figure!.T-Bird

[TNsailorman]

I too have a little .32 Cherokee that is practically new. I shot it about 10 times at a raccoon match in the mid 80's and haven't had it out since then. I got the ramrod stuck in the barrel with a tight patch and a fellow shooter said he could remove it. He put the front ramrod thimble against the bench and yanked. I snapped the front thimble off but did remove the ramrod.. I have called T-C twice and twice was promised replacement screws to put the thimble back on. None have been sent. The last time I called was about a year ago. Sad to say, I won't be buying any T-C products in the future. I was going to buy a Contender until I started getting the old run-a-round.

[smoked turkey]

TNsailorman: sounds like you have a some problems with your Cherokee and with TC in general. I have had both situations with TC as well. At the present they are on my good list. HA. I have sent you a PM regarding the problems you are having and would be willing to offer some assistance if I can if you desire to get it going.

[Swede44mag]

I bought a Traditions .32 at Sportsmans Wharehouse it wouldnt set a cap off. Took it back tried another it wouldnt set a cap off either got my money back was very dissapointed. I have been looking for a TC Cherokee for years if I ever find one at a decent price it will follow me home.

[smoked turkey]

I know what you mean about the little Cherokee. They are a sweet little rifle. I have really enjoyed my .36 Seneca. I have shot muzzleloaders for years but I had never loaded a ball down the bore without a powder charge. That is until the other day. I was having so much fun shooting the Seneca that I just failed to charge it one time. I couldn't believe I had done it. I even snapped two or three caps trying to convince myself I had not done it. Well I can't say I haven't done it anymore. I pulled the nipple and trickled 5 gr or so of Goex 3F in it and touched it off. Sounded like a 22 CB cap but it did get the ball out of the barrel. They are fun to shoot!.

[cajun shooter]

They have several Muzzle loading supplies that sell the small bore light for the front stuffers. You just drop it down the bore and let it rest on the breech face. If you can't find one that will fit, then look at the Stream lights.

[retired2010]

I just bought a used Seneca 36 Cal. The gun is in very good shapeI fired three rounds before I broke my jag off in the tip of the barrel. I did get it out. I have tried most gun stores in my area, no luck on a new ram rod. I have tried the internet and found some options. Heres my problem do I need the 3/8 rod or the smaller 5/16 I would like the 3/8 if it will fit. The RB i am shooting says .375 I know that is 3/8. Also does any one know who has Maxi balls in stock.. The three rounds I shot at 50 yards 30,gr black powder . I hit a 3in target all three times. I love this gun as much as all my others.

[swamp]

retired

Are you sure that is a .375 RB? I don't think that big a ball would fit the 36 Seneca. Does it go down the bore hard?

As far as the ramrod diameter goes, as long as it fits the bore use what you like. If you want it fit the thimbles you will have to use what fits them.

My Seneca likes the .350 ball with snug patch. I also shoot the T/C Maxi and they do real well. If you would like to try some let me know.

[Mumblypeg]

I've managed to get 3 36cal. Senecas over the years. One had a broken rammer... I replaced it with an aluminum arrow shaft...

[retired2010]

retired

Are you sure that is a .375 RB? I don't think that big a ball would fit the 36 Seneca. Does it go down the bore hard?

As far as the ramrod diameter goes, as long as it fits the bore use what you like. If you want it fit the thimbles you will have to use what fits them.

My Seneca likes the .350 ball with snug patch. I also shoot the T/C Maxi and they do real well. If you would like to try some let me know.

You are correct. I went out and check my box of RB they are .350. When I went to one gun store today the guy told me my gun would use .375 so I assumed that is what I had when I commented on the form. That now answers my Q on the size of the rod. .375 is 3/8, that will not work. You know if I come across the maxi that would be nice. I have to remember this is not a big game gun. Thanks for the info.

[swamp]

retired,
If you want to try some of the 36 Maxis pm me with your mailing address and I will send you some. When I got my Seneca I got one of the T/C Maxi mould to go with it.

swamp

[mooman76]

375 are 36 caliber but for 36 caliber pistol. Some people that don't shoot MLs don't realize the differance. A couple on line places you could try to order a ramrod are cains outdoors or Track of the wolf or dixiegunworks.

[smoked turkey]

My .36 Seneca shoots both the .35 PRB and the Maxi real well at 50 yards. By that I mean the group is small. Probably about 1.75 " or even some better. I use 35 gr GOEX fffg. However, the problem I have is the PRB shoot about 5" high at that range and I currently have the rear sight all the way down. The Maxi shoots low by about 3" with the same powder charge. I can't figure out what I need to do to get my PRBs to shoot lower. I considered getting a taller front sight. Any suggestions?

[grullaguy]

The local gunshow was on today and I walked out of there with an armload of bullet moulds. I thought that one mould was for a .32 or .33 round ball which I would have used for casting buckshot. When I got home I found it to be .35.

For $10.00, I don't think I am out too much on the mould. Right away I thought that it would be a great excuse to get a 36 cal rifle, which I have always wanted.

It looks like any .36 rifle is hard to come by. Are there any kits or complete guns available in this caliber? Sorry about hijacking the thread.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

It looks like any .36 rifle is hard to come by. Are there any kits or complete guns available in this caliber? Sorry about hijacking the thread.

They are out there...but yes tough to find.
they pop up most often when not looking for them.
Jon

[Alan]

Just picked up a matched pair of Navy Arms Mule ears. Consecutive serial numbers - .36 is 001, and .45 is 002. 8)