Llyman great plains rifle

[ETipp]

remember that most indians and frontiersmen wore buckskin, dark animal hides. what about when there was snow in the woods like 4-5 months out of the year? their coats stand out against the snow a lot more then some brass do dads on a rifle

True, but I doubt their attire shinned in the sunlight.

 

[SPQR70AD]

True, but I doubt their attire shinned in the sunlight.

but I always saw indians signaling each other with shiny rifles reflecting the sun lol. so I guess back to the tried and true smoke signals

 

[SPQR70AD]

Some of our old military rifles has brass; wonder if it had to do with ease of mfg., malleability, or what? They do look nice, the Mississippi rifles, esp., with the large brass patch box, etc.

I think the Mississippi rifle is one of the best looking ML a well built military rifle unlike the delicate Kentucky and pennsylvania rifles

 

[ETipp]

I think the Mississippi rifle is one of the best looking ML a well built military rifle unlike the delicate Kentucky and pennsylvania rifles

Indeed. As I have said, some ML look really nice sporting brass. But for this ole boy and his big game ML hunting rifles......that dog don't hunt.

 

[smokepolehall]

Geez y'all quit watching old TV & movies.Steel was scarce but iron was avaialble to blacksmiths n gun builders. Brass was easier to work with n cheaper to make. They did not buff it up to shine unless paid to. Brass is lighter than iron n as stated doesn't rust but will corrode

 

[Greyrider]

I have a Lyman Great Plains barrel that was 45 cal. And was bored out to 20 ga. Don’t have a gun to change this barrel to. Don’t know anything about how it was done and don’t have any use for it. Anyone have any suggestions for it let me know.

 

[ETipp]

I have a Lyman Great Plains barrel that was 45 cal. And was bored out to 20 ga. Don’t have a gun to change this barrel to. Don’t know anything about how it was done and don’t have any use for it. Anyone have any suggestions for it let me know.

Yup, send the rifle to me. I'll figure out something.

 

[ETipp]

Some of our old military rifles has brass; wonder if it had to do with ease of mfg., malleability, or what? They do look nice, the Mississippi rifles, esp., with the large brass patch box, etc.

Did a little research on this and here is what one fella seems to think.

https://ehcnc.org/decorative-arts/historic-trades/the-kentucky-rifle/

 

[redbeard381]

I always heard brass was significantly cheaper than iron or steel -especially during certain times in the flintlock era. High end guns out of England for example were iron mounted. Brass can be sand cast at high volume in a European (and later, American) foundry and shipped unfinished in crates to gun makers, or stores. Iron and steel had to be hand forged, production forged, or cast. As far as I gather, It's the same reason we use brass for certain things today like cheap lamp posts etc.

 

[Kabulrocks]

At least a few Hawken rifles did have brass buttplates and trigger guards. They made them for local customers that didn’t need the heavier, sturdier Hawken that we associate with westward expansion. I believe they were around .48 caliber. I have a video of one that I took at the Hawken Classic but the file is too large to post here.

 

[chorizo]

Steel was scarce but iron was available to blacksmiths n gun builders. Brass was easier to work with n cheaper to make. They did not buff it up to shine unless paid to. Brass is lighter than iron n as stated doesn't rust but will corrode

And there you have it. Also why military rifles had brass. It does not require the same level of care as iron does.

 

[longcruise]

Once I quit polishing the brass I began to see Bigfoot regularly.

 

[SPQR70AD]

Once I quit polishing the brass I began to see Bigfoot regularly.

ahahha LOL

 

[Jedidiah]

I have a Lyman Great Plains barrel that was 45 cal. And was bored out to 20 ga. Don’t have a gun to change this barrel to. Don’t know anything about how it was done and don’t have any use for it. Anyone have any suggestions for it let me know.

I just had a GPR barrel bored smooth to .58 by Bobby Hoyt. He told me that there was not enough barrel in a 15/16 GPR to go .60??? I would check that one very carefully before i used it!

 

[Relic shooter]

The Lyman GPR is my top choice for affordable muzzle loading rifles. The styling, and over all quality is hard to beat. Of the ones I have built from kits and a couple of factory guns that have been in my shop there are three things I generally do to make them a bit better. The wood can be reshaped a bit and stained to look more like American walnut. The set triggers get some light stone ing to sharpen the edges and the adjusting screw replaced with a longer one. Of coarse a fellow can do nothing to them and be happy but I like to tinker.
IMG_1292 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

Excellent job of staining & finnish, has look of a quality vintage built rifle !
relic shooter

 

[morehops52]

Understood. Haven't had the opportunity to fire mine yet so we shall see on the crescent shaped butt stock, in terms of a big bore ML. I have, however, been firing my .32 Crocket Squirrel Rifle the last couple of days. I have found that those crescent shaped stocks require a more precise location on the shoulder. Nothing difficult, just a little more getting use to. As to the sharpness of the butt plate at the bottom.......I'm not sure what could be done to change that in any appreciable fashion. If all else fails, I would reckon it could be a good self defense weapon to use against those herds of trained attack elk and deer when they swarm a hunter in mass.

When at the range I use a slip on recoil pad or my lead sled. I am not fond of the pain a big bore (45+) with a metal butt plate can deliver. That pain can last for days. I never feel it though when i pull the trigger on a white tail and being as it's only one shot, no pain tomorrow.

 

[gunpa]

My 54 New Englander has a flat steel but plate ,doesn't bother me at all with heavy loads. On the other hand, my 54 cal Dixie Hawken with it's curved brass butt plate leaves my shoulder purple and sore!

 

[ETipp]

My 54 New Englander has a flat steel but plate ,doesn't bother me at all with heavy loads. On the other hand, my 54 cal Dixie Hawken with it's curved brass butt plate leaves my shoulder purple and sore!

Indeed. I too, have a New Englander that I shoot only conical out of. Never had a problem with recoil. Guess I'll be finding out with my Lyman GPR soon as I am able to get to the range. Between a really bad knee issue and the crappy weather, its about killing me not to have been able to shoot that ML.

I'm not recoil sensitive in the least but I can do without for sure. Hoping 90 grains of 2F with the .535 RB will be fairly comfortable. That appears to be the load many choose out of their GPR.

 

[ETipp]

Geez y'all quit watching old TV & movies.Steel was scarce but iron was avaialble to blacksmiths n gun builders. Brass was easier to work with n cheaper to make. They did not buff it up to shine unless paid to. Brass is lighter than iron n as stated doesn't rust but will corrode

That makes sense, Smoke.

Thanks for the information.