cabelas hawken and Lyman Great plains

[elkslayer]

How historically accurate are the cabelas hawkens and the Lyman great plains rifle. the time period i am interested in is the fur trade era between 1810 and 1840.

I currently have a cabelas (investarms) hawken in 50 cal and I either want to customize and make it more period correct or purchase a lyman rifle. which do you think is the best way to go?

Also I want to step up to a 54 cal. to do this with my current rifle I would buy a Green mountain barrel with 1 in 70 twist since I shoot only RB. Have any of you done this? was it difficult

 

[Zonie]

The Lyman Great Plains rifle comes closest of the factory made guns to looking like the rifles used during the Fur Trade era.

The "Hawkens" rifles with only one barrel wedge are quite different and come closer to some of the guns made following the Fur Trade in California.

 

[William O.]

I second Zonie on that, the Lyman Great Plains Rifle looks quite similar to examples of some of the rifles that were carried during the time period you are interested in. It comes in either 50 or 54 caliber and with cap or flint lock. If you are considering buying new be sure to check around for the best price including shipping as it can vary quite a bit.

 

[necchi]

Yup, if your trying to go for a PC look, the Lyman is closer than the Hawkens for factory guns.

The Lyman GP rifles don't fit me well, nice gun, but it's uncomfortable for me and my stub frame.

I've put the GM IBS barrel on my Cabelas. It's a great shooter.
I had to some modifications for a proper fit. Typical for most applications of the IBS.
Filed work on the hook to fit the breech, the notch under on the breech that fit's over the lock plate had to be made wider, and IRRC took a little off the rail too fit by the nose cap.
All this was easily done at the kitchen table with a file and dremel tool.

I do not attend any "Juried" events, my rifle is accepted at all the `vous I participate in.

 

What's the consensus on the Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken? Also a .54, it looks very similar to the GPR but has more period correct brown finishes and is available with some lovely maple stocks. Seems to me to be a better made rifle than the Lyman. Been lusting after one ever since my first trip to DGW a few years ago.

 

[VEARL]

Didn't know that they made a Hawkin style rifle. Looks just like a GPR.
Wonder about the barrel specs. and lock and triggers.
Also what is tha asking price on that one?

 

They're really nice rifles but not cheap. Around $900 for walnut and up to $1100 for the maple version. Percussion only, unfortunately. If I remember right, the Rocky Mountain Hawken is slow twist and the Missouri River Hawken is fast twist and available in .45 and .50 calibers. Here's the link for the .54cal Rocky Mt, slow twist, maple stocked version I want.
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=13404

 

[ebiggs1]

There is a real one in the photo and some of the guns you can purchase. Even some of the "experts" here on the forum have not picked the 'real' one. :grin:

:hmm:

 

[elkslayer]

my guess is the second or third rifle down from the top. Based on the first and last rifle have adjustable sights and the lock on the fourth rifle looks like it has a little bit of modern flair.

 

[VEARL]

Nmmber 2 down

 

[Wayne/Al]

I think the bottom one.......Maybe

 

[S.Kenton]

Yah.. the bottom one is my guess as well...or maybe the second one down..Never claimed to be an expert. Which one is it??....... :surrender:

 

[ebiggs1]

I have never told which is which because I show this collage whenever some folks say the factory rifles are not exact replicas of the real thing. It shows that for most of us they are. Only the nit pickers would argue. I know that some guys know if a screw is not the right type or misplaced by 1/8th inch or the barrel should be 35 3/32nds instead of 32 inches, but for the rest of us these will do. I hope everyone enjoys their rifles whatever the type is. :thumbsup:

 

[elkslayer]

Could you post a picture of how it turned out?

 

[russecv58]

i'm no expert, but i'd dare to say the second rifle is original due to the shape of the percussion snail, hammer, and the shape of the front end of the stock. :idunno:

 

[jbtusa]

Go with the Lyman GPR in the .54 cap. They look period correct and they are fantastic shooters. Their accuracy will scare you. I love mine, and sorry to say, I actually like the GPR better than my custom builds.

 

[ebiggs1]

A clue. :grin: The bottom one is the GPR.

 

[Spikebuck]

I have the Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken (which is sold by Cabelas, but not exclusively, so one can shop the internet). It does have a slow 1-65 twist in .54 caliber, but mine will shoot a .530 RB with .015 patch OR a 425 gr Hornady great Plains bullet with great accuracy.

Below is a picture of six 100 yard shots with 90 grs of 777 2F and the 425 Gr Hornady GP conical. My patched RB's do about the same at that range. I'll take full credit for that one high-right "outlier"!!! I was using a bench rest. That is 8" across the black and a 1" red bull which I believe is a standard 100 yard small bore target. Just didn't want you guys asking me if that black area was 3 feet across!!! :grin:

In addition, this gun has a very nice 4# pull without having to use the set trigger...a nice advantage while hunting.

I purchased mine on sale for $799 6 years ago. Cabela's recently had them on sale for $899. You can shop around and probably get one for

 

[S.Kenton]

Thats pretty good shooting..I've always wanted that rifle. Never could get myself to caugh up the 800-1000$ it takes to get one.. NICE rifles for sure! My wife and I went to Cabelas last year and they had one on display...NICE NICE NICE!

 

That's good shootin'! Makes me think I might need to start thinning out the cartridge guns. :wink: