Hello Folks,
After wanting a muzzleloader for most of my life, I finally purchased one a couple of days ago. It's a factory-made 1996 Lyman Great Plains Rifle in 50 caliber. I actually don't have it yet but will post photos when she arrives. It looks something like this one, but I would say with much nicer walnut. I'm sure most of you will be familiar with this rifle.
A bit about me. I know absolutely nothing about muzzleloading. But I'm a fast learner.
I'm in my low 60s and live here with my wife of 40 years in the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina. We are blessed to have access to 2500 acres of private coastal forest/farmland (a peninsula and a few small islands). This land has turkey, deer, squirrels, bobcats, lots of other game, and (unfortunately) coyotes. I spend a lot of time walking the beautiful fields, camping at least 20 nights a year, and hunting everything except the bobcats. Just can't bring myself to shoot one of those.
I've been a hunter all my life, but only took up "serious" deer hunting a few years ago, killing my first buck at age 59. Since I spend so much time on the property, I have gotten to know the habits of the game, and hunting with a centerfire rifle sure seems a bit like cheating these days. I can shoot deer out to 500 yards fairly easily. And so I am excited about moving to technology that requires a bit more skill. Eventually I may hunt with a bow, but for now this Lyman has me really looking forward to deer season.
I hope to be able to contribute to the forum and look forward to "meeting" you 'all herein.
Mike Islander
After wanting a muzzleloader for most of my life, I finally purchased one a couple of days ago. It's a factory-made 1996 Lyman Great Plains Rifle in 50 caliber. I actually don't have it yet but will post photos when she arrives. It looks something like this one, but I would say with much nicer walnut. I'm sure most of you will be familiar with this rifle.
A bit about me. I know absolutely nothing about muzzleloading. But I'm a fast learner.
I'm in my low 60s and live here with my wife of 40 years in the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina. We are blessed to have access to 2500 acres of private coastal forest/farmland (a peninsula and a few small islands). This land has turkey, deer, squirrels, bobcats, lots of other game, and (unfortunately) coyotes. I spend a lot of time walking the beautiful fields, camping at least 20 nights a year, and hunting everything except the bobcats. Just can't bring myself to shoot one of those.
I've been a hunter all my life, but only took up "serious" deer hunting a few years ago, killing my first buck at age 59. Since I spend so much time on the property, I have gotten to know the habits of the game, and hunting with a centerfire rifle sure seems a bit like cheating these days. I can shoot deer out to 500 yards fairly easily. And so I am excited about moving to technology that requires a bit more skill. Eventually I may hunt with a bow, but for now this Lyman has me really looking forward to deer season.
I hope to be able to contribute to the forum and look forward to "meeting" you 'all herein.
Mike Islander
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