Lyman .54 caplock pistol

[Dayne]

Anyone use this or other similar pistol for deer hunting or is it just a plinking gun? I have a chance to buy this gun but haven't shot a pistol in quite a few years (actually closer to 19 years). Can you shoot FF or should you use FFF for a pistol. I have only e-mailed this fellow so far but in the photos/video it looks to be in good shape.

I have a T/C .54 caplock Renegade that I take hunting (have shot in Rondys too) and am comfortable with. I strictly use FF GOEX powder.

What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Some people have the mistaken impression that such pistols are inadequate due to poor accuracy or due to the small loads they accommodate. Both are true or untrue to an extent. Under no circumstances is such a pistol a 200 yard deer killer. Out to 50 yards it can be quite effective in the hands of a practiced operator. As a second follow up shot for a crippled or downed deer, it is superb. Some pistols are incapable of accuracy beyond ten yards. Some are very accurate to 100 yards, but have problems carrying "oomph" that far. I would not hesitate to use it out to 30 or 40 yards. Perhaps more when I had a chance to practice heavily with it.

Nearly all production guns suffer from overly heavy trigger pulls. When they finally go off, the hand jerk causes the shot to go wild. Takes practice. There are things that can be done to tweek the pistol that may help. Lighter sear spring, polishing parts, slightly altering trigger pivot point, etc.

 

[spitdog]

I had the same question a while back for my 1851 navy revolver 44 cal. And from what I learned through research and post, your fine to use FF in your .54 ,what you will lose is velocity due to the powder not burning as fast as FFF.

It will shoot fine and some even prefer FF in there hand guns and report better accuracy. I will be doing the same with FF.

If I'm wrong someone will point that out I'm sure.

 

[Dayne]

Thanks for the comments. Keep 'em coming.

I figured it would have enough power for hunting but haven't heard too many people using it for hunting. I hunt in SE MN in bluff country and my max for using a pistol would be 50 yards depending on accuracy and comfort level. I was thinking 25 yards and under.

What is a typical hunting load (35-40 gr)? I guess I probably would know the answer once I work a load up and see how it shoots. Just looking for starting load - 25 gr and go up in 5 gr increments?

 

[Patocazador]

I have a T/C .45 cal. Patriot that I intend to carry to TRY to kill a deer this year if one is inside of 35 yards. However, I will also be carrying a .50 Sile Hawken Hunter for a longer shot.

I am working up an accurate load of 3FG (30 grs.) with a 200 gr. R.E.A.L. bullet.

I have no practical input regarding a .54 cal. though.

 

[poordevil]

I have had that gun for about 18 years and like it quite well. It has handled 60 gr of 3FFFg with no problem. It kind of snorts with that load, but still puts the ball where its aimed.

 

[M. De Land]

My .54 spare parts handgun likes 50 grains of 2F goex and a .530 or .535 ball. Patch needs to be thinner for the bigger ball. Both are accurate to 50 yards and the barrel has a 1-60 twist.

I need to chronograph it one day but my "WAG" is it's going about 900 fps or so. MD

 

[Junior1942]

I have the 50 caliber version of your Lyman pistol, and Pyrodex RS burns eratically, i.e., 200 fps ES. Pyrodex P burns fine. Plus gives ~100 fps more velocity.

I suggest removing the lock and checking wood corners for clay-like deposits of powdery wood dust left over by the inletting machine. I dug out maybe a thimble full from mine. I doubt they would have hurt anything but still. . . .

I intend to hunt with mine this season. I'll use the pistol for a quick finish shot, and if a deer gets within 30 yards it gets a 50 caliber pistol ball in its boiler room.

My 50 caliber Lyman pistol and 2.7cc/39.7 grs by/v Pyro P with a .490" Hornady RB & .015" lubed Wonder patch gives me an AV of ~985 fps and beer can accuracy. It's also a lot of fun to shoot!

 

[VEARL]

Here is mine.
A 54 cal. I shoot 30 gr. of 2F BP. A .530 rb WITH A .015 lubed patch.
Keeps a nice tight group at 25 yds.
I would use mine as a second finishing shot on a deer.

 

[Junior1942]

By the way, the Plains Pistol clean-out screw takes a 2mm metric hex wrench. If you use a 3/32" hex key . . . well. . . . Good luck. An 8-40 replacement won't work as it's too small. Next workable size up is a 10-32.

 

[rafterob]

There was a past post on this with the poster working up a load using a maxi or real. I'll bet 50 grn fff or 55 ff would do the job. With my personal pistol experience I would be comfortable with a 50 yard shot using a rest or up to 40 off hand with good accuracy. Check your game laws, some states do not allow BP pistols for hunting.

 

[Junior1942]

I'm legal with the pistol for deer hunting here in Louisiana. A conical is a no-no. I loaded a 320 REAL as a test. As a further test, barrel down, I tapped the REAL-loaded pistol's muzzle against a wooden chair arm. A gentle tap. The bullet moved forward about 1/2". I repeated with the same results. If I were packing the pistol barrel down via the belt hook and it slightly hit a tree, a conical bullet would move. :td:

 

[cynthialee]

A couple of tight cards over the bullet will hold it in place without adversely effecting your hunting accuracy.

 

[Dayne]

I will definately look at the regs again. It is good to hear some bring both guns (long guns and pistol) as that is what I was thinking I would do. Long shot use the TC Renegade and short shot use the pistol. I will be e-mailing the local CO to verify I can have 2 guns in possession while deer hunting.

 

[cynthialee]

Allot of places you are allowed to carry a proper side arm while hunting. It isn't for the critters, it is for self defense.

 

[Junior1942]

A couple of tight cards over the bullet will hold it in place without adversely effecting your hunting accuracy.

I'm not so sure about that. The 320 REAL is a pretty tight fit in my bore.

 

[rafterob]

A number of commercially made barrels (traditions being one) are purposely rifled with the muzzle a little tighter than the rest of the barrel, That may cause a conical to be a tad loose when rammed on top of the load.

 

[rodwha]

Why would a barrel be designed that way? It seems it makes it easy for any projectile to move off of the powder charge.

 

[Junior1942]

....What is a typical hunting load (35-40 gr)? I guess I probably would know the answer once I work a load up and see how it shoots. Just looking for starting load - 25 gr and go up in 5 gr increments?

The manual for my Lyman 50 caliber also lists max for 54 caliber.

It says max = 40 gr FFF. If yours is like my 50 caliber you'll probably find max accuracy at ~ 35 grs FFF.

 

[awebbersr]

I know I am adding to an older topic, but thought I needed to update some info. Just received my new Lyman Plains Pistol 54 cal. and the max recommended charge is 50 grains FFFg. :grin: The new pistol also came with a Belt Hook on the left side of the pistol as it is pointing away from you. This belt hook is 4 1/2 inches long and goes from just behind the hammer to the front of the wedge pin. :thumbsup: