Advice

[Gtrubicon]

I got to shoot it this weekend, it was great. The gun is very accurate thus far. I need to extend the range I was shooting it at. I did a ladder test from 55 to 70 grains by volume Goex ffg, at 25 yds it likes the 55 to 60 grain range. I had many three shot groups with shots overlapping one another. I started with .445 rb with a .10 spit patch. The gun fits me well, this weekend I hope to try .440 Rb, I also have fffg Goex that I plan to do a ladder test with. All in all I really enjoy shooting this rifle.

[sharps4590]

Great!! Glad you're enjoying the rifle. I've had I guess 3-4, T/C's over the decades and a Seneca in 36 cal. is the only one I wish I'd kept. I don't miss any of the other clubs.

[Ithaca Gunner]

I think the Seneca and New Englander were their best looking rifles.

[KCSO]

Call Upper Missouri Trading Co in Crofton Ne and ask him to mail you a bore light. This is a small flash light 22 caliber or so that drops down the bore and you will use the heck out of it from now on. Nice to check how clean you got the gun, you see the bore top to bottom.

[quilbilly]

You will enjoy your .45. I have both a Seneca and Cherokee in .45 and love them both. I have taken many deer with both using PRB and 55 gr of 3F Goex.

[Nit Wit]

Drop a AAA battery down the bore and shine a flashlight on it. It had better be 99% for that price.
Nit Wit

[pietro]

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The OP didn't buy a T/C Seneca, but bought instead the Investarms Bridger Hawken in 45 cal

[rfd]

It's a shame when a newbie to sidelock muzzleloaders gets the bug to own/shoot one. Most are wide eyed on gun looks and ready to plunk down the bucks without really getting all the important scoop on what's involved once they have their treasure in hand. Kinda like getting a first dog for the family - there are proper things to know before adopting either a puppy or a trad muzzy. I wish this thread's OP best of luck with his Bridger Hawken rifle.

[Sasquatch-1]

It's a shame when a newbie to sidelock muzzleloaders gets the bug to own/shoot one... I wish this thread's OP best of luck with his Bridger Hawken rifle.

It's a "Gateway Drug".

[Gtrubicon]

The Bridger hawken is proving to be a nice rifle. I also came into a CVA mountain rifle, barrel stamped Made in USA. It’s also a45 cal. It is a much better fitting rifle for me, very slim feeling and a natural pointer. It’s also very accurate. Oh and there is a 45cal T/C Cherokee on a fed x truck heading to me as we speak!

[pietro]

.

Yep, you're addicted, fer sure....

[Gtrubicon]

.

Yep, you're addicted, fer sure....

Oh yeah, it’s to fun! Next thing to obsess about will be a 36cal rifle.

[mooman76]

36 are hard to come by but you can get one if you look hard. A few years back I got 36 stuck in my brain. Had to have one but didn't want to spend the $ for a new one to just get a plinker. 2 deals fell through and I forgot about it for awhile but eventually got one. I bought it from someone that bought it used second hand and he said he never even fired it because he didn't like the way it shouldered for him.

When I got it, accuracy was not very good and it was literally destroying patches. The more I shot it though, the better it got. I lapped the barrel and that helped allot. The rifling was crisp and I believe it was never even broken in yet.

[waksupi]

Call Upper Missouri Trading Co in Crofton Ne and ask him to mail you a bore light. This is a small flash light 22 caliber or so that drops down the bore and you will use the heck out of it from now on. Nice to check how clean you got the gun, you see the bore top to bottom.

I found bores copes on Ebay for about $12 each. I keep one in the truck and the car so I always have them at a gun show. Plug them into your phone, and get a good look at the insides.