Great Plains Max load?

[Zoar]

I have to reply again on this issue of --- "first 1 -2 hammer falls develp good spark and then no sparks".

There is a high probability it is the flint itself, especially since you said it cannot be oil being introduced. You said something like you wipe after every shot which is why I thought maybe it could be oil being introduced (some cloth could have contamination without one realizing it).

I had a similar "no spark" issue this weekend. My Lyman 54 cal was was shooting great and then suddenly I had no ignition. After getting it to go, I "dry fired" it and saw I had no spark regardless of how clean I made the agate flint, frizzen, etc.

So, I took the agate flint out flipped her upside down and tightened it back down in the jaws. Dry fired it and got a shower of sparks. Thus, it was obvious that on that face of the agate flint it had blunted and would not get good sparks. So while flipping it solved my issue in the field, ultimately I just need to re-sharpen the flint.

Obvioulsy your problem is as you say---you are not getting spark (after 1-2 hammer falls) so that speaks loudly that the issue is most likely flint dulling or loose flint in the jaws or bad angle of flint in relationship to the frizzen.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

Not really sure any more. I tried 6 new flints, tom fullers, thick flints,thin flints, a new agate, after 3-4 strikes, nothing.

Good news though, i solved my major hang fires/flash in the pan with an RMC vent liner. Worked great with the 3 shots today.

 

[Dphar]

Well today i was able to shrink the 110 grain load down to 1 1/2 3 shot group @ 71 yards. This rifle is unreliable and hangfires/doesnt fire. I put on a new flint before i went out, first shot was perfect, next shot it took 3 strikes it ignite the 4f and then there was a huge hangfire even with the small amount of powder i use. Next shot, 4 strikes and still nothing, knap the flint a little, 2 more strikes and it goes off. Went through 3 flints today just to get 9 shots. I think lyman gave me a junk frizzen.

I shot 3 shots with 120 grains ffg goex and a home cast 224g RB and that had a very nice punch to it. Great thing is, i dont feel any pain and my last shot of the day went off perfectly and nicked the bulls eye.

Rifle seems to prefer .015 patches over the .018 pillow ticking. Its really to early to say right now with all the problems ive been having with the rifle going off.
I ordered an RMC vent hole liner lastnight so hopefully that will help. Now im going to call Lyman and see how their customer service is and see if i can get a replace frizzen.

110 grains seems good and also puts me 1" high of the bulls eye which should be good for 100 yards. If not i'll bump the charge up a litte.

Any idea with this flint issue? I used Tom Fuller 3/4" flints and 3/4" Agate flints. Im looking to order French Amber flints but i honestly dont think the flints are my problem right now.

The lock has a problem. If it will not spark with a good flint of one kind it will not be cured by a different brand/color of flint. Its likely a frizzen issue. I would grind smooth and caseharden the face for starters. Could be a too weak spring(s) as well weak springs will often fail to spark if the flint is not really good.
Most of the locks on mass produced MLs have design problems and may not work as well as locks such as those used by custom makers. Its a "you get what you pay for" thing. But its surely fixable with some TLC.

Find a load the rifle shoots well and will shoot flat, all protestations to the contrary not withstanding it be in the range of 90-120 grs of powder. But it will depend on the rifle Then adjust the front sight to give the point of impact you want. Most 54s I have owned like 90-100 grs of FFFG.
If you only shoot targets or if you hunt at 50 yards trajectory is less important.

Dan

 

[shootrj2003]

Lyman says for a.50 round ball 110 2 Gf or 90 gr.3fg for a .54 round ball 120 2 fg . Or 100 gr.3 fg. This is again for round ball loads.please note this is a maximum safe load ,after this Lyman says you are unsafe, will it blow with higher loads .?you should really be able to shoot the max all your life with no problem but there is no point and accuracy is at slower vel. ,understandably for hunting you want more velocity for energies sake but after awhile your just shooting powder out the barrel unless it does blow and your able to say @&$#*! I did not think of that!( if your lucky)