54 cal. GPR

[Rocky Johnson]

Shot my new GPR. Barrel fowled badly with just three shots useing 2f powder, pre cut pre lubed patches,then I droped a patch down the barrel and the .54 ball puller won't reach it. Had to use my .32 cal. puller to get into coned breach. Can't see the front sight,ordered Lyman target sights for it.No problem with ignition. Rocky /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Ohio Joe]

Never having owned a Lyman GPR it does surprise me about the length of the ramrod with patch puller attached that it would not reach the errant patch. Out of curiosity, Rocky, what was your load? Powder, ball, patch, lube? And what brand of powder? I've only heard good things about the GPR, so naturally I'm curious.

 

[roundball]

Rocky, if you didn't give the bore a good hot soapy water cleaning to leach out all the manufacturing oils that are typically left in the bore, that probably contributed to the heavy fouling...after a couple of THOROUGH cleaning sessions to get the petroleum out of the metal, the fouling situation should improve (unless it's being caused by your particular powder / lube combination)

 

[Rocky Johnson]

OhioJo I shot 60 gr. 2f elephant the frist load was patched with crisco for lub the other four shots were same powder but wonder lubed pre cut patches, .530 ball. I think RoundBall hit the nail on the head I didn't wash the barrel frist.I have nothing bad to say about the GPR I got the left hand rifle to see if there was an advantage over the right hand lock for me, I am right handed but shoot left. So far I don't think so I have to reach accrossed the lock to prime it. Lyman recommends a 32 cal.brush for cleaning the breach and after loseing that patch I can see why. Thanks guys this is a learning deal for me. Rocky /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Ohio Joe]

"roundball" is certainly right about the pre cleaning, no doubt about it. The reason I asked about the powder you used is exactly what I thought. Elephant black powder is known for its' heavy fouling. I would swab between shots when using this. Goex black powder is in my opinion the best black powder on the market and time tested true, and less fouling then the Elephant brand. You may want to think about getting some of it when you exhaust your supply of Elephant. Good shooting!

 

[Birddog6]

Rocky: I think you will find that on the GPR if you use a .535 RB and a .015 patch or .017 you will have considerably less fouling, or at least it is that way for mine & I have built quite a few .54 cal rifles. All of them but one shot a .535 ball the best. The smaller ball lets too much gas blow by & thus the powder doesn't burn as well & you get more fouling.

In mine I use .535 RB, .015 Oxjoke patch or .017 Pillow ticking & Lehigh Lube or my homemade liquid lube, .65 grains of FF Goex powder for target & .75 grains of FF Goex for deer hunting.

Custom Muzzleloaders & Custom Skinning Knives

 

[Darkhorse]

Buy a worm for the lost patches. The ball puller has a turned bore size guide that stops you from getting into the breech. You can also use a regular centerfire jag or cleaning tip to access the breech, just as long as you have a worm to get the patch back out.
A bore mop will also get in there to clean it or lube it.

Many GPR's have a rough bore. You can feel it sometimes when seating a ball or cleaning. This roughness will accumulate fouling, making loading or cleaning more difficult. Don't worry about trying to polish it out, just shoot it a couple of hundred shots, it will polish itself.
You can also try 3FG, it usually fouls less. Years ago I only shot 2F in the large bores, now all I shoot is 3FG.

 

[Rocky Johnson]

Darkhorse - My worm didn't catch it.Going to try 3f next time and I will get some .535 balls to try. Lyman said .530 so that is where I started. It came with a buckhorn rear sight on it and an other rear sight with a wider notch in it. I am going to try the other sight as I can't see the front sight with the buckhorn. Rocky /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Birddog6]

Next time ya have a patch up in there you can't get out, & remove the vent liner & take a lil gem clip with a lil tiny hook on the end of it & grab it or blow the patch out with air from your air compressor if you have one at home. Air would be the easiest.