Lyman GPR vs Trade rifle

[hockeyref]

Looking at my first front stuffer and am debating between the Lyman Trade Rifle and the Great Plains Rifle... So what's the difference between the two and is the GRP worth an additional $100 or so for the kit over the trade rifle?

Also, debating between 50 and 54 cal.... eventually I plan to build a Chambers kit (RK-1 Lancaster, or RK-2 York) would probably like to have commonality of the balls. While I would probably prefer a 54 in the lyman, I would get a 50 in the Chambers kit. Figure that I'll eventually get into casting, but that's a good ways off yet.

TOW has the GPR kit for $395 and the complete rifle for $500.
Impactguns lists the Trade rifle for $290 (back order now) and the GPR kit for $320 (back ordered).
So do I spend the extra bucks to get the kit or rifle now, wait for a few weeks to see if Impactguns gets them in and the price holds as listed? Seems that everyone is back ordered in flinlocks right now except for TOW...

 

[smokehouseman]

My recommendation would be to go for the Lyman .54 kit GPR, they're currently in stock at MidSouth for $321. They also have to complete Trade Rife in stock for $275. In my way of thinking the GPR kit would be a good prelude to the Lancaster or whatever gun you may put together later on. I've put two GPR's together and both were relatively easy and very satisfying in many ways. Just my thoughts. Oh regarding the difference between the two the Trade Rifle has a shorter barrel and a single trigger, other folks can chime in on other differences. :wink:

 

[hockeyref]

Thanks for the heads up on Mid South.... may call them tomorrow morning.

Anyone know where I could get a better starter kit than the possible shop?
$160 for the following:
powder horn
possible bag
adjustable brass powder measure
short starter
ramrod mountable patch puller, patch worm, bullet puller, & fouling scraper
2 flints and leather
box of Hornady balls
Lube
pre lubed patches
wool cleaning patches
TC no 13 bore cleaner
The NRA muzzleloaging handbook.

 

[cowpoke1955]

I agree with smokehouseman. I have two .54 GPRs, one percussion and one flint. Also, the Trade Rifle has 1 in 48" twist and the GPR has 1 in 60" twist, which makes it very accurate with round balls. There is nothing the .54 caliber won't handle. Here is the link for Midsouth: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ . You can't go wrong with either rifle, but I do favor the GPR. Good luck on your choice :thumbsup: .

 

[Robert58]

The Lyman Trade Rifle has a 28" 1 in 48" twist, will shoot roundballs and conicals. If you buy it and latter want to sell it when you build the Chambers kit, you won't get your money out of it.

The Lyman Great Plains Rifle is one of the best Production Rifles you can get. 32" 1 in 60" twist for patched round bqall shooting. If you do a complete search on it and make the changes to the stock profile that some of the forum members have made to make it look more like a Hawken you will always be able to sell it for more than what you payed for the kit.

Do Not buy that starter kit. Find out what you want and need to get started (there will be many people giving you advise) or you will have a bunch of items that you will never use. One thing that was in the starter kit that I bought was a straight line capper(junk), go ahead and buy a Ted Cash Rifle Capper. The barrel scrapper in the kit will most likly be one for a barrel with a flat bottom. You can't use it with the GPR because it has a patent breach. A small chamber at the back of the barrel for some of the powder to go into to help ignite the main charge. Do alot of searching for different things on the forum before you go out and buy a bunch of things that you will never use when you get a little experience shooting blackpowder.

It is advizable to find a Blackpowder Club in your area and go to one of their shoots and get to know them. They will be more than willing to let you shoot their rifles and give you pointers. That is what I did before I bought my first rifle.

Robert

 

[reddog]

GPR,,.54, thats all ya need to know!

 

[oldsarge]

Amen :grin:

 

[Smk50]

GPR in .54 I would skip the starter kit. It is a good list, but it will be a generic horn and a generic bag , I would also skip the tc 13 cleaner. I only use water. The manual will be very basic, but a good read for the beginer. The other stuff, IMO is a must have. also a good range rod threaded for your RR accesories.

 

[hockeyref]

Do Not buy that starter kit. Find out what you want and need to get started (there will be many people giving you advise) or you will have a bunch of items that you will never use. One thing that was in the starter kit that I bought was a straight line capper(junk), go ahead and buy a Ted Cash Rifle Capper. The barrel scrapper in the kit will most likly be one for a barrel with a flat bottom. You can't use it with the GPR because it has a patent breach. A small chamber at the back of the barrel for some of the powder to go into to help ignite the main charge. Do alot of searching for different things on the forum before you go out and buy a bunch of things that you will never use when you get a little experience shooting blackpowder.

It is advizable to find a Blackpowder Club in your area and go to one of their shoots and get to know them. They will be more than willing to let you shoot their rifles and give you pointers. That is what I did before I bought my first rifle.

Robert

Robert,
I see what you mean... the basics as I see it would be a can of 3F powder, a measure for the main charge, maybe another smaller one just to prime the pan, patches and balls (can make my own lube and buy pillow ticking easy enough), a range rod and the tips for pulling a patch or a stuck ball.... I'll take a look locally to see if I can find some of this stuff.

I've read about the patent breech, but not all barrels have them so the scraper may be used later.

My brother told me tonight that he works with a guy heavy into BP and re-enacting. said he would put me in touch... There used to be a BP group that shot walking matches at my club, and I was a member of an archery club 15 yrs ago that had a sister BP club so I'll look them up.


SMK50 - looks like you posted all of this while I was liesurely composing my reply...

 

[hockeyref]

Dare I even say this??? I think I would probably think about coning the muzzle too...

 

[Claude Mathis]

Dare I even say this??? I think I would probably think about coning the muzzle too...

If you do it correctly, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Trot]

I guess I have to be the odd one out here, I have used both and I prefer the Trade rifle. It just seems to fit me better, and it is very accurate with roundballs. It doesn't have the set trigger, but I actually prefer that for hunting. Mine is a .54 and I have taken deer (and targets) at over 100 yards with no difficulty.

 

[playfarmers]

I too have shot both rifles and own a .54 Trade rifle. I do not like the 9 lbs of the GPR, nor do I like the 32" barrel. The one I shot was great from a bench, but a brute to carry all day and shoot off hand. The Trade rifle weighs in at 8lbs, and that is the same as my scoped modern rifle.

 

[BadHorse]

TOW has the GPR kit for $395 and the complete rifle for $500.
Impactguns lists the Trade rifle for $290 (back order now) and the GPR kit for $320 (back ordered).
So do I spend the extra bucks to get the kit or rifle now, wait for a few weeks to see if Impactguns gets them in and the price holds as listed? Seems that everyone is back ordered in flinlocks right now except for TOW...

get the GPR, trade rifles arent all that. you will fall in love with the GPR, and wont want to get rid of it. they are great, reliable guns! i dont think it really matters whether you get .50 or .54 cal. so pick what you want. i own guns in both, so will you. and use the phone ordering your gun. heres an interesting heads up, i ordered my GPR from TOTW and dont get me wrong they have great stuff there, but i found out they do not "stock" GPR's so its 7-10 days for track to proccess the order, and another 7-10 for lyman to dropship from Conn. and then anywhere from 3-5 days for it to actually get to you. if you call track, talk to dave, really cool guy straight up and honest! and hes the owner. me i would call midsouth, or impact, or where ever and see when they will have them in and dont get in a hurry, also i was looking on impact, and the price is real good! but i found the discription confusing, the said it was a flintlock "kit" and the discription was talking about a percussion gun. and muzzle conning,,,,,,,learn to use the gun first. stick with flinters. also dont buy the kit, shop around and find what suits you! one person mentioned a brass range rod, great idea! relaxe! have fun! dont get ina hurry! welcome to the sport and life style. remember flintlocks are like peanuts! you cant stop at one.

 

[PRM]

Sounds a bit high - first I use pillow ticking and pure unsalted lard to patch my balls and standard patches for cleaning. Far as bore cleaner - I use hot water to clean my gun. Take the barrel off - submerge the touch hole or drum if its a caplock in a pan of hot water. Wet a cleaning patch and push/pull it up and down the barrel using the ramrod and jag. You will see a jet of water as you do this - when the jet of water is clean, dry good and lube. Don't forget your lock and if a caplock the nipple. An old tooth brush and pipe cleaners work good here. Just be sure to dry and lube.

I have always been hesitant of package starter deals. The measure, possibles bag, powder horn, flints, balls (I like to cast my own), and wood short start can all be bought separately through Dixie Gun Works. You get to determine the quality of the components and personalize you outfit.
http://www.dixiegun.com/

 

[buckskinner]

Ref,
fyi, i ordered my first GPR percussion in .54 from Impact guns. it was back ordered but in the end took about 8 weeks before coming.
later i ordered a GPR flint .54 from Impact and same thing it was backordered. but after about
11 weeks they had no idea when it would be coming. finally i cancelled the order, as i was very frustrated.
not trying to disparage them just giving the facts.

 

[hockeyref]

Just wanted to thank 410-er for the message on the deals on the GPR and the Trade rifle, unfortunately the GPR was a percussion and I'm set on flint right now.

... I just orderd the GPR flintlock kit in .54 from Mid South (by phone). She said it was in stock and will be at my door in 3-5 business days.

I also got the Knight brass measure and flask combo as I've seen them before and liked them. I figure that I'll end up getting other measures and powder containers in the future anyway....

Now to find some balls, powder, and pillow ticking, and range rod....

 

[jtmattison]

I have both and much prefer the GPR. The Trade Rifle really beats me up when shooting a lot due to the very little drop in the comb. The GPR fits me much better. Of course the 1:60 twist on the GPR makes it much easier to work up roundball loads. The 1:48 in the Trade Rifle will also shoot roundball very well but for me it took a lot more work on load development to get it dialed in.

HD

 

[bucktales]

Look locally for balls and patches. You may get lucky.
I was in Pa. last month and hit a few small stores. I found 2 dusty boxes of round balls for 9 bucks each.

 

[BadHorse]

... I just orderd the GPR flintlock kit in .54 from Mid South (by phone). She said it was in stock and will be at my door in 3-5 business days.

I also got the Knight brass measure and flask combo as I've seen them before and liked them. I figure that I'll end up getting other measures and powder containers in the future anyway....

Now to find some balls, powder, and pillow ticking, and range rod....

ok i feel obligated to point something out. those little brass flasks, are for pistols. and you never, never, never poor from the flask into the barrel. that being said, your gonna love your GPR and you need to post progress pics as you build it! ive got high dollar guns and i love my
GPR!