Lyman GP 50 cal and RB diameter you use

[Larry (Omaha)]

Going to a simple novelty shoot next week. Just a few matches, but they are having cap lock and flint matches. My SIL shoots a Lyman caplock and I shoot a home build flintlock. Since there are only a few matches why dirty two guns each? We are just going to swap rifles to keep the clean up less. Here is the question: I shoot .495 in my Rice barrel with .020 patch. SIL shoots .490 with .018 patch. When swapping guns, do we need to swap RBs too? I would think not, but am asking if any of the members here shoot .495 RB in their Lyman GP with a .018 to .020 patch?
Thanks in advance

 

[bang]

If that's what the rifles shoot the best then stay with it.

 

[Old Hawkeye]

Why put a ball/patch combo that works in one barrel into a different barrel that has proven to shoot a different ball/patch combo well? You may not even be able to push the Rice ball/patch down the Lyman barrel. Have you tried? Why would you expect the different ball to shoot well or even to the same point of aim?

 

[user 36911]

I use a .490 ball. I like the thicker patch to fill the grooves.

 

[Grimord]

I use a .495 ball and .015 patch in my 50 caliber Lyman Great Plains.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

1.Why put a ball/patch combo that works in one barrel into a different barrel that has proven to shoot a different ball/patch combo well? You may not even 2. be able to push the Rice ball/patch down the Lyman barrel. Have you tried? Why would you expect the different ball to shoot well or even to the same point of aim?

1. This range is back into the timbers over a creek on a walk bridge. (no cars or trucks) I am 76 years old and don't need to carry two sizes of balls that one can't determine the size by sight. I am trying to keep it simple, and this is just a low key shoot. If someone else shoots .495 RBs in their Lyman, 2. I know that I can load it with no issues.

 

[Tasbay]

I shoot .495 ball , ticking patch and olive oil lube. 80 grains homemade powder. (GPR)

 

[FiremanBrad]

.495 ball and .018 pillow ticking in my GPR

 

[user 36911]

1. This range is back into the timbers over a creek on a walk bridge. (no cars or trucks) I am 76 years old and don't need to carry two sizes of balls that one can't determine the size by sight. I am trying to keep it simple, and this is just a low key shoot. If someone else shoots .495 RBs in their Lyman, 2. I know that I can load it with no issues.

It would be nice if a manufacture can make all the barrels the same. They can't. Every muzzleloader should have it's own load specific to that gun.

 

[SmokepoleSam]

I would just swap balls and patches along with the rifles. Good luck at the match.

 

[Bill M.]

Gee...I would shoot 2 rifles each. Whey shoot somebody elses gun?

 

[Bad Karma]

I would shoot whatever the chosen rifle preferred. Simple.

 

[Rum River]

.495 ball and .018 pillow ticking in my GPR

This is what mine happens to like as well.

 

[UtahFlintlock]

Mine works well with a .490 ball and .018 patch. Best part, the combination works great in my other .50 as well.