Lyman 54 GPR

[Mtman725]

So I got the 54 that was posted yesterday, here. Named her Dixie she's coming out of the deep south. Dang happy to get it figuring in will give me a bit more then the 50's for elk this fall. Loads and any information on the 54 will be welcomed. Also if you have any 54 gear that's not getting used, balls, jag,ball puller,mops, PM me and we'll talk. Glad to get a Lyman had one in 50 years ago liked it a lot,but let it go gearing myself up to head to AK ! Any input will be welcome.

Mtman725

 

[morehops52]

I love my GPR in 54. Have other 50's too. I bought it in case I ever got around to hunting elk but it is devastating on deer. My standard load is 110gr 3F behind a 430gr T/C maxi ball. I stocked up on T/C maxis years ago when they were easily available. I use a led sled at the range cause that rifle delivers a pounding in both directions. Good luck, have fun and I hope you get your elk.

 

[Rod Man]

Congratulations!!! .530 Ball, .018 blue pillow ticking for my patch and 90grs of Goex 2F works for me. Got a lee mould that throws two balls at a time.

RM

 

[longcruise]

My 54 GPR has been my go-to elk rifle for quite a long time. Once you fall upon that right load you will be good to go.

 

[jackpine54]

Mine shoots great with 110gr FFg, .530 Hornady round ball, .015 ticking and mink oil lube. It shoots almost as good with 80gr FFg. Great rifles!

 

[frankie]

So I got the 54 that was posted yesterday, here. Named her Dixie she's coming out of the deep south. Dang happy to get it figuring in will give me a bit more then the 50's for elk this fall. Loads and any information on the 54 will be welcomed. Also if you have any 54 gear that's not getting used, balls, jag,ball puller,mops, PM me and we'll talk. Glad to get a Lyman had one in 50 years ago liked it a lot,but let it go gearing myself up to head to AK ! Any input will be welcome.

Mtman725

I very much like mine, it is well balanced.

 

[Hesp]

If I can make a recommendation for elk. My 54 cal GPR does quit well with the LEE 300gr REAL bullet. It also is avaiable in 380gr , but the 300gr will absolutely work. I cast mine 50/50 , pure lead to wheel weights. Comes out about a Brinel 8. Takes the rifling with ease , yet will deliver excellent accuracy at higher velocities. It will penetrate. Lee 2-Cavity Bullet Mold 54-300-REAL 54 Cal (557 Diameter) 300 Grain

 

[FishnRod]

Don't be afraid to use a roundball from your 54 GPR when chasing elk. My buddy and I are the only ones in a large elk camp shooting GPR and roundball. We used to catch a lot of ribbing from the synthetic stocked BP crowd in camp, but not any more. The GPR will keep up with the modern BP rifles at the range and the meat pole. Both of our rifles prefer powder charges on the upper end.

 

[Hesp]

Yes , for sure you can take elk with the 54 & a RB. As I see it you don't always get a nice broadside shot. Many of the elk I have taken over the years has been at a sharp angle from the front or back. At a sharp angled shot, a RB can glance ( course changed ) when striking heavy bone on an angled shot. This is where the elongated projectile like the Lee 300gr REAL bullet gives that added extra level of dependability. The more mass in line ( secetional density ) the more dependable the penetration. Basic physics states a body in motion wants to stay in motion. A heavier projectile ( more mass ) will always out penetrate a lighter one. The fact that the Lee 300gr REAL bullet is short , allows it to stabilize & be accurate in the slow 1/60 twist of the LGP. Just some thoughts to ponder.

 

[FishnRod]

Hesp
I have never tried the REAL bullets, but have heard great things about them.
I did try the Ballettes in my GPR, but my groups opened up more than I liked.
I whole heartedly agree with max penetration when it comes to large boned, heavily muscled elk. I also like 2 holes bleeding instead of one. Because of that, I do the same as you, and add about 50% wheel weight to my ball. Never had it tested for hardness.
Love that 54 GPR, most people do.

 

[longcruise]

Yes , for sure you can take elk with the 54 & a RB. As I see it you don't always get a nice broadside shot. Many of the elk I have taken over the years has been at a sharp angle from the from or back. At a sharp angled shot a RB can glance ( course changed ) when striking heavy bone on an angled shot. This is where the elongated projectile like the Lee 300gr REAL bullet gives that added extra level of dependability. The more mass in line ( Ballistic Coefficient ) the more dependable the penetration. Basic physics states a body in motion wants to stay in motion. A heavier projectile ( more mass ) will always out penetrate a lighter one. The fact that the Lee 300gr REAL bullet is short , allows it to stabilize & be accurate in the slow 1/60 twist of the LGP. Just some thoughts to ponder.

I've never had a ball change course on antelope, deer or elk.

Something to consider however is that a projectile with adequate spin to keep it stable in air such as a 1:48 or 1:60 doesn’t impart enough spin to maintain stability in flesh and especially flesh and bones. I've only taken two animals with conicals and while they did track ok, they didn't hit anything that would serve to redirect them. Animals that I've hit with balls have encountered bones and at some fairly sharp angles without deviating.

Purely anecdotal, but if you look into stability factors of bullets in flesh you will see the possible issue.

 

[Christophero]

I shot a doe at 100 yards about 5 years ago. The wind blew the ball farther to the left than I expected, hitting the front leg smack center. That ball flattened out, at least the portion that slipped in between the ribs did, much like a thin knife wound. She went a long way before expiring. The MaxiHunter would have punch on through from many experiences casting and hunting with those. I'll still use the PRB but know the limitations better now. I expect the ratio between the 54 PRB and an elk's front leg would be equal to what I saw on that hunt.

 

[Hesp]

Shot my Lyman 1/60 twist 54 GPR today. Lee 300gr "REAL" & 100grs "American Pioneer Powder, 3F. I realize this powder is long out of production, but is what I have. Triple 7 2F powder is no where to be found. Range , 50yds. Four shots. 75 & 100tds will have to wait till the snow melts back a bit more.

 

[Dirty Mike]

Good groups, I have the same rifle and have been making the Lee's 54 for a couple guns and was curious how they would group with 1:60 twist

 

[Hesp]

Since the Lee REAL 300 gr is so short, barely longer than a RB , the 1/60 twist seems to be made for them. The reason I want the 300gr is for our elk season. I feel much more comfortable with the heavier 300gr weight. Has to have better penetration than the RB.

 

[springfield art]

I'm glad I got my LH Perc .54 GPR when I did. Otherwise I'd be drooling over the positive reports many fellows post about them. I don't hunt, but just love owing one for occasional targets. Mine's pre-Pedersoli, and I had the bbl. shortened; just a preference.

 

[frankie]

I'm glad I got my LH Perc .54 GPR when I did. Otherwise I'd be drooling over the positive reports many fellows post about them. I don't hunt, but just love owing one for occasional targets. Mine's pre-Pedersoli, and I had the bbl. shortened; just a preference.

The same with me, I don't hunt with mine. I really like shooting it, (targets). Was it a big deal to have the barrel shortened, did it effect the accuracy? I think I'm wanting to have mine shortened to 28 inches.

 

[Jamie from Alberta]

I love my 54 GPR. I built the kit (1:60) in 2009 and a 54 Plains pistol kit in 2011. Both launch a Lee .535 rb beautifully. My GPR has accounted for 1x whitetail buck.
Lee .535 cast rb
80grs Goex FFFG
Ox-Yoke .015 lubed patch
Canada does not allow hunting with a pistol so my Plains pistol just kills paper.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/lyman-plains-pistol-kit-complete.74120/

 

[frankie]

I'm glad I got my LH Perc .54 GPR when I did. Otherwise I'd be drooling over the positive reports many fellows post about them. I don't hunt, but just love owing one for occasional targets. Mine's pre-Pedersoli, and I had the bbl. shortened; just a preference.

Springfield when you shortened the barrel did that effect the accuracy?

 

[Mtman725]

I should of update this a bit ago, this sale fell thru. No GPR, but I did find a CVA Mountain Rifle in .54. I just got the barrel back from B.Holt. on and older one that went form 50-54 like the big bore.