Lyman GPH or T/C Hawken

[nebhunt]

Looking to add a muzzleloader and want to know your thoughts. I have a T/C Hawken that I have shot for over 25 years. It was a kit rifle that I put together and shoots maxi balls to about 3" at 100 when I do my part. I now have a son age 14 that is showing some interest and will be needing another muzzleloader. Have never shot anything different so wanting to know how some of the other rifles would compare. The Lyman Great Plains hunter interest me and maybe even the Pedersoli

 

[Kansas Jake]

I think if it was me I would look for an "upgrade" to something more historically correct and nice than the TC even though they are great guns. Part of the answer is dependent on funds. If you need to stay in the $300-$400 range then a nice used TC or the Lyman may be it. If there are more funds, then that broadens the options. The TC could be a pass down to the son and he would have a family heirloom built by his dad and dad could get an upgrade.

 

[nebhunt]

I would have around $1000 to spend. I'm open for suggestions on a nice muzzleloader that is accurate. I do want to be able to shoot the maxi hunter/ball type bullets.

 

[Kansas Jake]

The Kibler kits are a little over your budget, but many here attest to there being a great option and you have put a kit together before. If you want to stay with percussion, then there are a several nice Hawken type rifles available. I don't have personal experience with either of these options. A third option is to check the classifieds here. There are often some real bargains on custom built guns that are in your price range. Also, if you are dealing with someone who has been on this site for a while you know you are probably dealing with someone who will be trust worthy. This is especially true if they have sold things here before without complaints.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

You might consider a Traditions kit. If you son decides he isn’t interested all that much right now, you won’t have a ton of money invested.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Where and what are you hunting that you feel you need to have a conical bullet?

 

[nebhunt]

I hunt in Ne, Wy and Colorado. Used on deer and elk.

 

[VA Hawken]

New to the forums here, but it might be a nice bonding and building experience for you and your son to build up something like a Kibler kit. You will never get the time back to do it in the future. FWIW, my son was never interested in any shooting sports, and it's something that I wish I could have shared with my kids.

 

[Grenadier1758]

While I very much like the Kibler kit, I would be reluctant to recommend it to the original poster, @nebhunt, as the barrel supplied in the kit is optimized for round ball. Hunting in NE, WY and CO, most hunting requirements dictate a conical unless he gets 54 caliber or larger. The conicals work best with a faster twist and shallow rifling. Probably the GPH or a Pedersoli rifle with a fast twist.

 

[VA Hawken]

A good point which I missed in my haste to post...

 

[Carbon 6]

While I very much like the Kibler kit, I would be reluctant to recommend it to the original poster, @nebhunt, as the barrel supplied in the kit is optimized for round ball. Hunting in NE, WY and CO, most hunting requirements dictate a conical unless he gets 54 caliber or larger. The conicals work best with a faster twist and shallow rifling. Probably the GPH or a Pedersoli rifle with a fast twist.

What he said.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Just get the .54 and be done with it.

 

[rusticbob]

You mentioned your son was showing intrest, intrest in shooting or intrest in hunting.
If its hunting, I would not saddle a 14 year old with a too long gun. You said you had good luck with T/C, I would look for a good clean Renegade, and be done with it.

 

[nebhunt]

I did find a new unfired Renegade but haven't agreed on a price yet. Also found a T/C Cougar but the guy is getting me some pictures and more information. If these two don't work out I might just let my son use the Hawken and then I will get a Pedersoli Missouri rifle for myself. Does anyone know how the 1:24 twist rifle shoots?

 

[Maven]

Which one fits you better when you shoulder it, nebhunt?

 

[user 34300]

I have worked on a couple of Lymans. The owner had serious reliability issues. He has 50 years ML experience. The parts fit, finish, and extensive use of rough castings is a deal breaker for me. I would not pay money for one.

The TCs were reliable. They were not authentic. The fit and finish was much better than the Lymans I have seen. They are now all old. You will want a safe queen.

Pedersoli is a step up on overall quality. The styling tends to be better.

A custom rifle made by a good builder is in another league. The lock, trigger and barrel need to be quality parts. Some lock companies are quite good. Some are not. IF the lock and trigger are assembled from unfitted castings I put hem in the same league as Lyman. You have to know what you are looking at.

For reference, I made an extremely fine, very authentic, representative S. Hawken 1/2 stock, form a plank, in 54 cal with a tapered barrel. I would not part with it for under $4k. They are among the most difficult ML builds.

Since you don't appear to want to dive that deep I suggest the one linked below. For big game RB rifle go 54 cal or larger. 54 cal is a 230 grain ball. Don't worry about Maxi balls, and bullets. At iron sight shooting distances a RB will give excellent terminal performance. A maxi or bullet if not any real advantage if you shoot a traditional rifle with iron sights.

https://www.davide-pedersoli.com/sc...ifles-hawken-rocky-mountain-hawken-maple.html
awken.html[/URL]

 

[Bad Karma]

I did find a new unfired Renegade but haven't agreed on a price yet. Also found a T/C Cougar but the guy is getting me some pictures and more information. If these two don't work out I might just let my son use the Hawken and then I will get a Pedersoli Missouri rifle for myself. Does anyone know how the 1:24 twist rifle shoots?

I’ve heard nothing but good things about that rifle and that rate of twist for .50 Cal. bullets up to 500 grains or so. I have one fifty with a 1 in 38” twist and one with the 48. They both handle bullets well. Cast or store bought there are some really good bullets designed for the 48 inch and faster twists in 50 caliber. Look for something around 400 grains in front of 70 to 90 grains of Swiss or Olde Eynsford powder. That’s about as much fun as I can handle from the traditional hooked Hawken style stocks. A 500 grain bullet is a challenge in that style... T/C’s can also shoot the lighter 400 grain bullets well.

 

[Boomerang]

I now have a son age 14 that is showing some interest

Has your son shot your rifle yet? Those maxi balls produce a lot more recoil than a round ball. You might consider something in a .54 cal for a round ball. Less recoil and plenty of punch. I have a .54 cal GPR that is 100% reliable and very accurate and now Pedersoli is making a Lyman signature series that has an even better fit and finish.

 

[nebhunt]

Both of my twin boys shoot a .270 cal and 12 ga turkey loads. With my Hawken .50 and a 370 maxi on top of 90 gr feels like the 12 ga. to me. When next season rolls around I don't think the 50 will be a problem for them.