GPR first time......

[ebiggs1]

I got to shoot the Lyman Great Plains Rifle today. It isn’t snowing and it’s 43 degrees! Yah. Anyway this gun is a sparker right out of the box. It even sparked well with the supplies swan flint. It is a .54 cal and that is why I got it. It had three flashes in the pan in the first 20 shoots. After inspecting several things I found out the touchhole liner was less than 1/16 inch. I drilled it out with a 1/16-drill bit and the second 20 shots went off without a problem. I had no trouble keeping all shots on an 8-inch paper plate but I was only 15 yards out. But it was the first time I shot it.
The inevitable comparison, how does it compare to Thompson Center. I only have this one Lyman specimen but I have many TCs. It isn’t up to TC standards. There are lots of sharp machining marks left. None of my TCs exhibit this. I will correct those. The wood is just average.
All in all I am happy with this gun and it looks like it may be a real good shooter. Plus it’s 54 cal.

 

[Dan Lintemuth]

Sounds like your enjoying your new GPR. I have a .54cal flintlock GPR on the way. A couple of guys on this forum have advised me to drill out the touch hole as well. Have fun!

 

[cowpoke1955]

I have a .54 GPR flint I built from a kit. I also have a .54 T/C Hawkens. For looks, fit and balance, it's the GPR hands down. The GPR is much more accurate with patched round balls than a T/C with the 1 in 48" twist barrel. It may not be as fancy as a T/C, but you didn't pay a fancy price either. After all, it's a .54! Doesn't get much better than that :thumbsup:

 

[ebiggs1]

There is no doubt in my mind that your kit built GPR is nice. My kit built TCs are better than factory ones. I may redo mine GPR but make no mistake a factory built GPR compared to a factory built TC is quite dissimilar. I now have another Lyman gun to compare to a TC. I just got a Lyman Plains Pistol and I also have a TC Patriot and again the difference is dramatic. Make no mistake I love both, my Lyman and my TC but truth is truth. And I absolutely love the 54 cal and it seems like it is a shooter.

 

[jbtusa]

Your GPR will amaze you with its accuracy once you shoot it awhile. Run 100+ shots thoough it to smooth the barrel. Then it will shine!

 

[BrownBear]

Reflecting my own tastes in guns, I regard even factory GPR's as "kits." I slim the stocks and reshape the cheek piece to affect both their balance and how they fit me. The high comb on TCs knock the snot out of my prominent cheekbones with heavy loads because I have to push my head down so far to line up the sights. If I was inclined to scope a muzzleloader though, the TC would be my first pick specifically because of the high comb, though. The extra drop in the Lyman is bonus points for me when shooting heavy loads.

And that's the point of this ramble, I guess. You bought it, so use the extra wood in the Lyman stock to make it "right" for you.

 

[ebiggs1]

I agree. Since you have experience, what is the finish on factory GPR rifles? It appears like an oil finish. What do you use to remove it? I just love tinkering with guns!

 

[BrownBear]

Yeah, it's some kind of oil, but it seems to have a bit of lacquer in it, too. I used 3M's "eco-friendly" paint and varnish remover, whatever they call it. I put on a heavy coat and let it sit a little longer after the first try, and the stuff lifted right off.

And yeah, tinkering is a big part of it. I toned down the "perch belly" on mine, beavertailed the cheek piece and slimmed the forend. I also shrunk the side plates a little for cleaner lines, but you'd have to have it side by side with original to really see the difference.

Long and short of it, I knocked close to 8 ounces off the stock of my 50 cal and shifted the balance back a little while I was at it. Now it balances just about like my factory 54, which is fine. Current plans are to slim the 54 the same way and install a patch box, but "my to-its are all square".... Sorry, but that was my granpap's way of saying he hadn't got a round to it yet. :rotf:

 

[Finnwolf]

For looks, fit and balance, it's the GPR hands down. The GPR is much more accurate with patched round balls than a T/C with the 1 in 48" twist barrel. It may not be as fancy as a T/C, but you didn't pay a fancy price either.

My experience is the same as poke's. Couldn't be further from yours, biggs. I've had many a T/C in my life, new and used. The new ones were about 12 years ago and one less than 1 year ago.

The last one was a brand new factory replacement for a defective rifle. I had such poor luck with the replacement that I traded it for a GPR kit.

I haven't started building it yet but that Lyman kit appears head and shoulders in fit better than the T/C. At least the touch hole lines up properly with the vent and the pan fits tight against the barrel - the finished T/C did not.

Give me the GPR kit over the T/C kit anyday - if you could buy a T/C kit. My browned, 1 in 60" barrel, hand rubbed wood, primitive rear sight will but T/C away at the range an in the field every day.

 

[mykeal]

I have two .54 GPR's, one a factory gun and one kit I built. I also have 4 T/C Hawkens, one .54 and three .50's; two of the .50's have K (for kit) serial numbers, the third is a special anniversary model with premium wood and highly finished metal.

Obviously the best one is the GPR kit I built. But, comparing the factory guns (both .54's) results in a personal preference for the GPR, although both are superb guns. The GPR exhibits none of the 'sharp edge' trait you mention, and although the wood is not spectacular it's at least one full grade above any of the T/C guns except the anniversary model.

But, gee whiz, they're all great guns. I think we're in violent agreement about that. I mean, I have absolutely no need for 6 plains half-stock style rifles, but I'm not letting go of any of them.

 

[ebiggs1]

You echo my sentiments exactly. I love them all and don’t see my ridding myself of any of them. I know some guys get emotional about brands and it clouds their opinion. Maybe it’s from a bad experience or whatever but it exists just the same. I have to bow to you multi-GPR owners because this is my first experience with one. As far as it shooting better than my TCs, I doubt that will be an issue with me, as they both seem to shoot better than I can!

BTW, Finnwolf the touchhole on this example is not perfectly placed. It is OK but could be better. As for better looking, that is just personal preference. I am glad you like your gun. Just as we like ours.

 

[ebiggs1]

I will say one thing about accuracy. The first time out of the box I shot one of those little plastic juice bottles full of water. I got back about 20 yards. I hit it first shot. I also couldn’t find it! The big 54 blew it up, I mean, and about ten feet away.

 

[BrownBear]

The first time out of the box I shot one of those little plastic juice bottles full of water.

Okay, you let the cat out of the bag. That's our favorite offhand target with any guns- you name it, frontstuffer or not.

We save plastic bottles till we have enough for a range trip, then go out and make a big, wet mess. The recycle center is still happy to get them when we're through. :wink:

 

[cowpoke1955]

I have two .54 GPRs. The factory pecussion I bought 30 years ago and the flint kit my wife bought me three years ago. I also bought a used .54 T/C Hawkens about two years ago. The GPRs with the 32" long, 15/16" barrels are slimmer and feels lighter. They look more like a plains rifle should look like. Great accuracy with round balls out to 100 yards. The T/C with it's 28" long, 1" barrel feels chunky and heavy. It's a modern version of something. The T/C will shoot the Lee REAL bullets and T/C Maxi Balls like crazy, so I'll keep it. As for being emotional about brands, a lot has to be said for a company that offers a good product at an affordable price. When everyone else is jacking up their prices, Lyman has remained so affordable that every working man get one. I have to give Lyman a big thumbs up for looking after the working folks, especially in these times :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[4444]

I'm currently working on a Lyman .54 flinter, want to get it together before it warms up. Can't wait to shoot it!! They're cheap enough you don't feel bad shaping it to fit ya perfert. Cut back my stock, reshaped the check-peice, and put in a pinneaple patch box. Right now I'm sanding and sanding some more. Thinking I might Mt. Laurel the barrel.

 

[ebiggs1]

I do agree with you mostly. It seems like TC would like to abandon the side lock market. They are pricey if you can find one, as most retailers don’t even have one on hand. Around $700 now, I think. But Lyman has increased its price too, just not as much. Plus Lyman’s warranty is not as good. The matter about looks is subjective. You like it or you don’t so I don’t consider it a point. I have built 12 TC Hawken rifles over the years; I did 4 last year. This Lyman GPR, I just got is a little rough but nothing I can’t fix. Plus I like “fixing” them so it a good thing. The Lyman Plains Pistol, I just got, came pre-cracked form the barrel lugs to the for end cap, both sides. If you are a tinkerer, like I am, you can find TC parts readily, not so much Lyman.
They all shoot better than I can.

 

[ffg]

I also have a .54 flinter that i'am building right now, what are some of the loads you guys are using. The book says 110 gr FFG with a .530 ball, does that sound close!

 

[ebiggs1]

I shoot mostly 70 grs of FFg and .530 RB with .015 patch and Bore Butter.
I was hitting pop cans (not every shot but respectible) at 20 yards the first time out.

 

[Darkgael]

110 gr FFG with a .530 ball, does that sound close!

That seems a bit stiff to me. I use 85 grains of FFg and a PRB in my .54 smoothbore GPR barrel. Shoots nicely out to 50 yards.
Pete

 

[BrownBear]

I don't have the manual handy (I'm on the road), but if I recall correctly that's their max load and not a recommended load per se. My 54 really thrives on 80 grains of 3f Goex.