Decided on Deerstalker

[Blitzkrieg]

I've thought about it for a while now and I have decided to buy the Lyman Deerstalker and I will be ordering it in the next few weeks. What are some initial projectiles that I should try? Obviously I am going to get a supply of roundballs and patches but seeing how it is a 1 in 48" twist bore I wan't to try a few conicals. Any reccomendations for this barrel twist? I was thinking of TC Maxi Balls or Hornady Conicals.

 

[ryoung14]

Yeah, Blitz, I've been looking at 'em too; though I'll probably go with a .54 percussion if I make the move.

I'll try to beat roundball to the punch and suggest the patched round ball with a nice thick .018 pillow ticking patch. If you're getting a .54, that should be plenty strong enough for deer and is the quick (not to mention economical) route to excellent accuracy.

If you're determined to shoot conicals, you might try the No Excuses conical. I haven't tried 'em yet but have a bunch on order. Haven't seen anything bad posted about them anywhere. Try:[url] http://members.aol.com/noexcusesb/index.html[/url]
to see what they've got.

Let us know how you like your Deerstalker when you get it; particularly fit/finish/appearance and accuracy.
Bob

 

[playfarmers]

My Deerstalker likes a very lightly lubed 18th patch and a .495 ball with 80g of FFg. I have also shot the 245g Bal-ets, 250 and 320g Lee REAL bullets with good results. The most accurate bullet I tried was a paper patched Lee Mini. This is a great hunting rifle.

 

[Halftail]

I bought a 50 caliber Deerstalker 4 years ago and NOW it's shooting good.After pulling the original Lock(which was crap)I had an L&R Replacement lock installed.My little Deerstalker likes 490 balls ans 018 pillow ticking patch.

 

[Swampman]

I'd spring for the Lyman GPR, if you can afford it. Midsouth Shooters Supply has a good price on them.

 

[harryo]

I bought a 50 caliber Deerstalker 4 years ago and NOW it's shooting good.After pulling the original Lock(which was crap)I had an L&R Replacement lock installed.My little Deerstalker likes 490 balls ans 018 pillow ticking patch.

I'm not sure what your lock problems were, or if there has been a fairly recent change in the Investarm locks but I have never had any problem with mine. I have a Trade rifle with the Investarm lock and a GPR with an L&R lock. They both spark about the same and the L&R doesn't function any better than than the Investarm. Both fire eqaully well and I have never had any real problems with either.

The biggest noticable difference is the L&R has a stiffer mainspring. If anything, I have more problems with it. If a new flint isn't positioned exactly right, when installed, it will crush it on the first strike.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Hey Short Start, I imagine this is going to sound dumb but I've been hearing the term "pillow ticking" for a while now and I don't know if it is a brand of patch or if it is an extra patch to go on top of the powder... Also I think I'll be going for the .50 cal based only on the fact that I live in Southern Ontario and the closest place I can find that supplies muzzleloading projextiles and powder is like 2 hours away and they dont stock much in the way of .54 cal projectiles.

 

[Rebel]

Pillow ticking is a type of fabric. You can get it at Wal-Mart in either red and white striped or blue and white striped. You can also use #40 drill cloth for patches from JoAnns fabrics.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Actaully, pillow ticking comes in at least 4 colors or sizes at Walmart. Take a micrometer with you, and compress the fabric to get the true thickness. Ignore the odd looks. YOu are the customer.

Pocket drill- the tightly woven fabric used to make pockets on men's dress pants- is also used as cleaning patches, particularly in the U.S. military. IT makes a pretty good patch, but comes in just one size.

Pillow ticking is what is used to make the covers for pillows, and hence the name. Like Denim, it comes in various thicknesses, and you have to know what you are looking for, and measure it, to get the right size for your gun and ball combination.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Thanks for clearing that up guys, one more thing, if I was going to shoot a conical would anything go between the lead and the powder?

 

[playfarmers]

I used a bore button under most conicals, I did find that the Mini shot better with no wad.

 

[paulvallandigham]

because conicals weigh so much more than RB, you may need to consider using a filler, or a fiber wad under the conical to protect the base of the bullet from being burned, and melted. In percussion guns, I would consider this mandatory, simply because today's percussion caps are so hot! The base of the conical needs to be absolutely flat and square to the bore for best accuracy. Wonder wads, that are pre-lubed with 1000 lube make a good base protector, or, as we refer to them, overpowder wad, for this purpose. The benefit is that the wad protects the base, and also provides lubricant to the barrel behind the bullet that keeps fouling soft, and easier to clean out.