Living On Edge With Lyman Deerstalker

[Landngroove]

Well today I did it. I went to the edge. Normally I live, and breath T/C muzzleloaders. Today I decided to punch paper with my Lyman, percussion, Deerstalker, in .54. I also cut my own patches from Wally World red striped pillow ticking. They miked out at .018" - .020", probably closer to .020", as they loaded a tad tighter than a T/C .018" pillow ticking patch. For a patch lube I used Hoppe's #9 Plus, which I have had for a long time, but have not used much. I used Goex FFG, 100 grains, CCI #11 caps, and a Hornady .530 round ball. What a great shooting rifle. I do have the Lyman 57 SML peep sight on it. I shot the center out of my Shoot-N-See stick on target. I think this is what make muzzleloading so much fun. Trying different patches, powders, lubes, etc., and making some of your components. So many different combinations.

 

[Ken Morrison]

Glad to hear you had a good time with your Deerstalker.
I bought a .50 caliber left hand flintlock Deerstalker in December. I've had two range sessions so far. I havn't had the accuracy you are but I'm very new to muzzle loader shooting. I'm still working to shoot it better.
I'd like to get the receiver sight for my rifle. I have a Lyman 57 on my Marlin 336. Did you use the same front sight that came with the rifle?
I love the smell of black powder in the morning.
Happy New Year.

 

[Halftail]

Yup,
The Deerstalker is a great little gun.I got one in Flintlock about 5 years ago.I haven't got a deer with it yet but plan on dedicating my season next year in trying to get one with it.

 

[Protrucker]

I picked up a percussion Deerstalker a few years ago. It came with two barrels. One is .54 & the other is a 20 ga. smoothbore. It's a used gun, but it's hard to tell if it was ever fired. I haven't even gotten around to shooting it either. I have kind of lost interest in it because I've gotten more into the flinters....wonder what I could get out of it to put toward a good flint smoothbore? :hmm:

 

[Landngroove]

The front sight that came with the Deerstalker, (37ML) works with the 57SML, peep sight. The white front bead picks up quick in the aperature. Plenty of elevation adjustment. Having a totally clean barrel, is the key to accuracy. When the gun is shipped from the factory it has a coating in the barrel that takes time and effort to remove. Even after removal of this, scrub the bore, after every shooting session.

 

[playfarmers]

I have had and used a .50 Deerstalker for the past 15 years or so. It has the Lyman peep sight, and a thinned down front sight. It is a good shooter with 80g of Pyrodex, a .495 ball and 18 th pillow ticking patch lightly lubed with Traditions liquid Wonderlube. This rifle has taken many fine whitetails. It has been my only muzzleloader until I got my Austin and Halleck flinter this past year. It will now have to take the back seat.

 

[CrackStock]

I picked up a deerstalker several years ago for my son to use in YHEC shooting. I found it to be very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. I casually cut a card with his hunting load at an event. I knew that it was good enough for a deer, but the cut an ace straight through with no warm up or practice was impressive.

I have also found that it is a pleasure to use in a deer stand due to its short, but accurate barrel.

CS

 

[Halftail]

Crackstock,
What is your hunting load?Do you use RB's too?

 

[jtmattison]

I have a .54 Deerstalker in flintlock. I haven't shot it a lot but so far it's a pretty good rifle. I have to get used to the slight delay in ignition and work on some loads for it. So far I have been getting 3-4 inch groups with roundball at 50 yards. With a little load work and a lot of practice she'll be a good shooter. I'm just too in love with my GPR to give the Deerstalker it's time on the range.

Huntin Dawg

 

[FallingCrows]

You never mentioned what distance you’re punching out the center of your targets.

I have the percussion Deerstalker in 50 cal. I get 1 -2 inch groups at 50 yards. I use 370gn Maxiball, 80 gn black powder, and No. 11 CCI mag. caps.
I'd like to know what my guns does at 100 yards, but I don't have $$ for a range membership at this time. So its the public one for now.

I'm in the process of changing to Rightnour Fiber optic sights due to poor vision and Spitfire nipples by Mountain State Mfg.

- FallingCrows

 

[ryoung14]

Hey crows,
The Lyman 57 aperture sight is a bolt-on with the Deerstalker. I believe the Deerstalker's pre-drilled for it. Combine that with a fiber-optic front sight and you've got a great combination for tired old eyes. Not only that, you've extended the sight radius so accuracy should be better.

You might have to play with different apertures. The 57 comes with a .040 aperture as I recall...great for target shooting. The more open apertures (.093 to .125") work best at dawn and dusk. The Williams screw in apertures will fit the Lyman sight and come in different sizes. Doesn't change zero a bit to screw one out and another in.

Just beware of the reflection of the fiberoptic front sight on the top flat of the barrel...don't ask how I know.
Bob

 

[FallingCrows]

I too have the peep sight with both the small and large apertures. I mounted it, but never sighted it in. So I took if off and put it back in the same container it came it.

I think I may have an idea about the reflection problem. Try some removeable bow paint just in front of the front sight. It comes in different shades. All flat colors. Although I'm not to sure about painting the barrel of a nice looking gun.

- FallingCrows

 

[Landngroove]

I was shooting the Deerstalker, at 50 yards.

 

[Tim Clark]

Bald Mtn Man, can you contact me about that Deerstalker? Not sure if this is appropriate, but I'm not sure how to go about sending you a private message.

Thank you.

 

[Zonie]

I'm not sure how to go about sending you a private message.
_______________________________
Click on their name in the left hand column.
That takes you to their "home"
When your there, in the upper middle of the page is something like "start a Private Topic". Click it. The rest is just like answering a post here on the forums.

 

[FallingCrows]

I finally got my RMC sights. They mounted rather easily and look like they may do the job. I also got a ramrod from them. Very nice. Hope it doesn't break. For $17 it better not.

- FallingCrows