Lyman GPR and Trade rifles?

[F.G. Ford]

One very important thing to consider about the Lyman GPR, if you take a little time to study the architecture of some of the original plains rifles, you can replicate one of these quite easily from a GPR.
Some of the fellows here, on this forum have made some outstanding rifles, and most did not have great gunsmithing skills.
You can't reduce the metal on these rifles, but you can slender the wood a lot.
Also with help you can recreate the original finish to look really good, instead of some horrible plastic finish.
Bottom line, most plains/hawken type rifles were heavy, that is their structure. But damn, it sure is fun making a silk purse out of a sow's ear!
Also you will be leaving behind some of yourself to one's that matter, to remember you.
Make sure you sign your piece ( perhaps under the barrel )
Fred

 

[Notchy Bob]

Koauke,

I would recommend that you look for a blackpowder club or group and go to one of their matches. They'll probably elbow each other out of the way for the opportunity to show the new guy their guns, and you may even be able to shoot one. Check the NMLRA website for clubs.

Notchy Bob

 

[ryoung14]

I've got a pair of GPRs, both .54s. The one I bought new has been back to Dixon's for warranty repairs twice; first time a variety of fit issues, second time a trigger issue. It shoots very well but still doesn't look quite right.

The second was used and, other than the nipple being rusted into the barrel when I got it (previous owner mistake), seems to be a fine gun. Luck of the draw I guess.

I have a Lyman Deerstalker .54 I bought new. Like that one a lot. Very good in every respect. Don't miss the set trigger at all; in fact I seldom if ever use a set trigger even when I have one. More complication and another opportunity to make a mistake.

I'm a hunter and choose a .54 for that reason; I've seen what they can do. I also gravitate toward the shorter barrels as they're much easier to handle in a blind or a tree stand. For target and range shooting; a .50 would be a little cheaper to shoot and a long barrel wouldn't be a hindrance.

For a first ML, the .50 Trade Rifle would be hard to beat. They've got a reputation for accuracy, they're reliable, and they're relatively inexpensive. You'll make some noob mistakes starting out (we all do) and an inexpensive rifle won't cause you to lose much sleep over it.

The handy little Deerstalker would be a good second choice. It has adjustable sights. As a hunter, I'd go with a Deerstalker in a heartbeat over a GPR, but they'd work very well as a range rifle as well

 

[AZbpBurner]

I have several Investarms rifles, including 2 Cabelas models, a .50 cal flint GPR, and a .54 flint Deerstalker.

All shoot well, and all but the Deerstalker have double set triggers. I wanted a lefthanded .54 flint rifle, and found the lefty Deerstalker about the same time I discovered Lyman no longer listed them in their current catalog, so I bought it.

I've always liked set triggers, and was prepared to be disappointed with the single trigger on the Deerstalker. After spending an afternoon busting grapefruit and small balloons at 100 yards, I decided the set trigger wasn't really needed for good accuracy afterall.

While I do have a .50 cal cap rifle that is accurate to my satisfaction, given a do-over on the .50 flint GPR, I'd rather have it in .54 cal. It seems that the .54 is easier to work up accurate loads for and groups better at longer ranges.

If you want "cheaper" shooting, the .50 is a great choice, but for best accuracy, I'll go with the .54

 

[koauke]

Thanks again for the responses, all are very helpful. I do have another question. Is the recoil on the .50 similar to that of the .54? Would the .50 be more comfortable to shoot for longer periods of time?

 

[jamesthomas]

It depends on how your built small frame, medium, big guy? I'm 5'0 110lbs. and my .50 cal. starts to pound me after about 10 shots at the range Its why she's getting retired and I'm going down to a .45 caliber.

 

[BrownBear]

Is the recoil on the .50 similar to that of the .54?

I'm not sure I could tell them apart until loads in the 54 get up to about 90 grains of 3f. I tend to take the charges a little higher in the 54 and notice the recoil in them, compared to my usual 80 grains of 3f in the 50 cal. Haven't gone any higher than that in the 50, so it's probably not a fair comparison.

I think the deal is that there's more steel out front in the 50, which tends to damp recoil and muzzle rise a bit. There's only about 50 grains of difference between the two ball diameters.

 

[cynthialee]

I was chicken of the .54 but when I shot it I was left wondering what my worry had been all about. The recoil from a .530 roundball and a .490 roundball are not much different.
Now conicals are a different story.....
I don't shoot conicals anymore, not since the .54 left a huge bruise on me.

 

[azmntman]

There is a difference but per powder charges not that much. Load em both up and they will get to ya eventually! I keep the .50 near 65-70 and the .54 at 75. .58 gets 75-85.

I ONCE shot 120 grain and a conical in the .58. Nuff said :shocked2:

 

[koauke]

Is there a difference in accuracy between the .50 and .54? Or are they comparable? Say out to 100yds? As I would only be shooting at the range, I figure if they are equally accurate and the .50 is a bit easier on the shoulder maybe I would go for that over the .54.

 

[BrownBear]

Down to the individual rifle on which is more accurate. I don't think there's any such thing as one caliber being inherently more accurate than the other. You'll here pushers for one caliber or another make those claims, but pack a big grain of salt when you're around them.

 

[Melnic]

Sure is easier to locally (for me) find bullets,balls, conicals etc that fit a .50 And at a cheaper price.

 

[paul54]

I have a .54 Trade rifle that I absolutely love. Recently bought a .50 barrel for it. Hadn't shot the .50 yet.

It's the first traditional rifle I've ever owned and don't regret buying it. I like the shorter barrel and overall length. Lots of folks like the GPR. I'm sure I would too if I ever shot one.

I just like to shoot and watch the smoke fly. You'll enjoy shooting them regardless of which one you buy. It's very addictive.

 

[William O.]

The first TR I ever owned hit the bullseye on the first shot at 100 yards right out of the box. I used a plastic powder measure, store bought prelubed patches and didn't even clean it until a day or two later. It was just as accurate years later when I sold it, which I shouldn't have but that's another story.

 

[nhmoose]

The .530 diameter roundballs for the .54 caliber often come in boxes of 50 for about the same price.

I am still shooting the 100 ball packs of Remington .530 golden balls I bought from Wal-marts at the end of the season for hunting sales 1-2 bucks a pack. I have enough 54 balls for my life and my sons. 10-15K

 

[ryoung14]

I'd be more concerned with rifling twist than caliber. I've found that the faster twist rifles (1:48 and faster) are more flexible.

With PRB, fast twist performs great using light loads with .010 patches...very enjoyable for plinking. The fast twist also performs good to very good for with the RIGHT conical loaded over a heavy charge (but not too heavy). It also can do pretty good with the PRB over heavy loads but you have to take some care in working up a load. IOW, light PRB loads are no-brainer accurate; heavy loads with conical or PRB take some care in working up to get accuracy.

Slow twist, OTOH, is generally no-brainer accurate (assuming a good gun) using PRB over heavy hunting loads. Heavily loaded conicals and light loads with PRB or conicals usually don't do so well...though a careful load work-up may give satisfactory results, disclaimer: I've never tried a light-load workup in slow twist rifles.

If you want plinking accuracy out to 50 yards, I'd go 1:48 twist, shoot your PRB over light loads, and save some powder. If you want 100 yard accuracy, go 1:60 twist, shoot your PRB over fairly heavy loads and enjoy all the smoke.

Actually I think you need both a GPR and a Trade Rifle.

 

[koauke]

Well I think I've decided on the lyman trade rifle as its more within my budget. I'm still conflicted on caliber, .50 or .54. I'm leaning a bit more to the .50 as I don't plan on hunting and its marginally cheaper to shoot. This would be for range work etc.....maybe local competition if I decide to go that route. Any further suggestions/comments before I end up buying one?

 

[BrownBear]

If at all possible, handle both calibers before buying. Due to less metal in the barrel, the 54 will be a little lighter out front. Some folks like that, some don't. The consensus among target shooters seems to be more weight out there for better "hang", so the 50 might well be your best choice without hunting on the list.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

I own a .50 Lyman Trade rifle. Cuts palyin' cards in half at 20 yards. Shoots .018 lubed pillow-ticking patches & .490 balls all day long. Also shoots 370 grain .50 T/C Maxi-Balls all day long & cuts cards with them too! A 1/2 stock w/ a single wedge pin, the Trade Rifle is less complicated to dis-assemble & clean.

As to caliber, .50 cal supplies are easier to acquire, especially conicals. If you won't be shooting conicals, the difference in recoil is negligible.

My rifle shot so nice, when my sone wanted his own rifle, we bought him his own Trade Rifle too! He likes the Lyman Peep on the tang & a blade front sight, so he sights it like a M-1 Garand, by putting the front blade in the middle of the peep. He won several matches with it set-up that way.

We bought both of ours from Dixons as well. Nice folks to deal with!

Enjoy the sport & PM me if you ever need anything.

Dave

 

[AZbpBurner]

Well I think I've decided on the lyman trade rifle as its more within my budget. I'm still conflicted on caliber, .50 or .54. I'm leaning a bit more to the .50 as I don't plan on hunting and its marginally cheaper to shoot. This would be for range work etc.....maybe local competition if I decide to go that route. Any further suggestions/comments before I end up buying one?

Recoil is what you make it. Some folks like to shoot heavy loads just for the sound and the feel of getting slapped around.

While I like all of my .50 cal rifles, I prefer to shoot the .54's, since I've found them to be easier to work up an accurate load for, and 75-80 Gr. 2F is accurate to minute of grapefruit at 100 yards. I can shoot it all day without fatigue or bruising. Heavier loads may pack more of a punch at longer distances, but my load works great up to a little over 100 yards.

Given a do-over for my .50 cal GPR, I'd rather have it in .54 cal., so don't discount the .54 as too tough for a comfy all-day shoot. I've found the "cheaper to shoot" to be a poor excuse that I used to choose my GPR, and I kinda regret it.