Lyman Great Plains rifle

[CrackerJim]

Yea, I'm really leaning towards the GPR. The hawken has the brass eye candy but I'm only looking to shoot round ball and I like the 54 caliber so the GPR is looking real good.

Although, I'm waiting confirmation of my next project (which means continued paycheck.... :grin: ), I see that my federal stimulus check came in (eyeballing my half as the boss lady doesn't need a ML rifle.......so got to keep my hands off of her half :shocked2: ). I guess I should do my patriotic duty and stimulate the economy! :thumbsup:

Jim

 

[MFP308]

I've been shooting my GPR 54 for only a little over a year now but like so many others here I'm enjoying it a great deal. My groups are getting better, even out to 100 yards. I'm still messing with loads but I'm usually at 85 gr of ff and .15 prelubed patch with a .530 round ball. This seems to be the basic load at this point. It's a bit warm here these days to be shooting all day but if I get up early enough it's not to bad out in the desert.


Mike

 

[CrackerJim]

Thanks for the info.

It's getting plenty warm around here these days and very humid as well. We like to be back in the truck and heading to the house by mid-day! :surrender:

Would like to be taking a GPR to the range this weekend but will have to be patient. We'll take the shotguns and bust some clay then head to the rifle range for some lever gun fun :grin: .

We'll just have to make smoke another time......

Jim

 

[wwpete52]

My son was kidding me today by asking if I was going to buy any fireworks for the 4th. He knows that I'm not a fan of spending money on fireworks. I told him that the only black powder that I was going to burn this weekend was BLACK POWDER!

 

[CrackerJim]

Well, we made some fireworks this morning.....the clays busting in air. :grin:

Some good news though. The fellow that hired (we knew each other 15 years prior to hiring on) and was my boss is now President of the company. He came to the house this am and we piled the gear in my truck and headed out to meet the other friends. I got a chance to chat with him about the state of the company.....he indicated that even if my next project doesn't come through, we've got enough work available that it's all good for the next year minimum.

I'm hoping when I relay that to my wife, she won't hold me to not buying the GPR until I start the next job.....could still be another month before we get the final word on the planned project. :shocked2:

She, her sister and our two son's went to Orlando to visit friends for the holiday (I have to work tomorrow morning, so couldn't go). I'll have to wait until later this weekend to give her the news........so I celebrated anyway by going to Bass Pro this afternoon and buying some 54cal balls and some #11 caps. :haha:

Hope everyone has a great holiday!

Jim

 

[Mulebrain]

From Lymans website!

The rifle carried across the Great Plains by western pioneers and fur trappers was the culmination of percussion firearms development. This “Great Plains” rifle was designed and built by such famous makers as Hawken, Gemmer and Demick to the specifications of experienced backwoodsmen. Only the best and most reliable designs and finest workmanship were acceptable. Today, as in the 1800’s, the experienced black powder shooter is looking for a very special rifle.

No other factory assembled rifle or kit offers the authentic style and design of Lyman’s Great Plains Rifle. This classic muzzleloader offers such high quality features as a 32" barrel with 1 in 60" twist for patched ball and hunting loads, double set triggers, Hawken style percussion “snail” with clean out screw, separate ramrod entry thimble and nose cap, and reliable coil spring lock with correct lock plate. Available in .50 and .54 caliber flint or percussion. Factory assembled or kit form.

 

[TxRambler]

wwpete52, I tried your link to DGW and wish there were pictures. I have owned TC's and have been considering a GPR, but what I don't like is those adjustable rear sights. My question is: what are the options on replacing the GPR rear sight with a more traditional fixed sight? Seems I did that once on a TC barrel but it wasn't that easy.

TxRambler

 

[mykeal]

My GPR flint kit came with two different rear sights, an adjustable buckhorn and a regular fixed (traditional) buckhorn. You can buy that traditional buckhorn from Lyman as a spare part for the GPR for a couple of bucks. I did have to peen the dovetail on the sight to get it to fit tight, but it's an easy fix. I'll look up the part number and post it later today.

 

[BrownBear]

If I recall correctly, my factory GPR was shipped with a primitive sight in the box in addition to the adjustable already mounted on the barrel, just like my kit was shipped with both sights.

 

[cowpoke1955]

Hi Tx,
If you are talking about pics of the GPR, look here: http://www.dnrsports.com/acatalog/D___R_Catalog_Lyman_Muzzleloaders_649.html . The GPR's adjustable sight is not as big and goddish as the T/C's. Some people said they have problems with this adjustable sight. I've had my GPR percussion for 28 years and never had a problem. On my .54 GPR flinter, I installed the fixed rear sight, which is included with the rifle. It works great and looks even better. It took a little work fitting it, but it's well worth the effort. I hope this helps.

 

[TxRambler]

Thanks all. The GPR I'm looking at is at a local Gander Mountain. Didn't realize it came with a fixed sight, I just saw the rifle in the rack with the adjustable sight. That about clinches it, guess I will save up my dimes and get it. Have been visiting it since before Christmas (nobody in the house can get the hint). Thanks again.

 

[BrownBear]

Just make sure that they dig the box out of the back room, then confirm that the sight is in it. While you're at it, if they've got more than one gun on hand, pick through them for the best stock. There's no wood grading that I have seen in Lyman's line, so stocks can run from plain to super fancy without distinction. When it comes to luck of the draw, may as well take advantage of a chance to look at the cards before you buy.

 

[cowpoke1955]

Tx,
Not sure what they are asking for the GPR, but you may want to look at Midsouth: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ . $409.47 for a production rifle and & $321.02 for the kit.

 

[TxRambler]

Here is the deal: Very few if any places around here sell real muzzleloaders (real being the traditional ones, fake being the plastic unmentionable ones). Then I noticed this store got two GPRs, cap, one 50 and one 54, in November, as well as a Traditions. Having been window shopping GPRs for some time on the internet, I was pleased to be able to hold one. I visit them every month or so, usually with family in tow but they don't get the Christmas/Birthday/Father's Day hint, and as far as I can tell they are the same ones put on display in November. $450, by the way. In any case, there won't be any question of picking the best stock, there is only one (I like 50 cal., already have three so the bullets and jags stay the same).

I really don't need another gun, have the three fiftys and a Bess, but you know how that goes. Still thinking about it. The deal with the back sight being supplied as a tradidional is helping me decide. Going out that direction this afternoon, maybe I'll show it to The Lovely and Merciful Mrs. TxRambler, again.

 

[cowpoke1955]

Tx,
My wife bought me a .54 GPR flint kit for Christmas a few years ago. I already had a .54 GPR percussion rifle that I love. Down load some of the ads from Midsouth and DNR Sports on the GPR. If the wife ask, tell her you are looking at a rifle you REALLY like to have. Then show her the prices from Dixie and Cabela's. Tell her you can get a real deal from Midsouth. It sounds like you already got the bug bad :rotf: . Good luck :thumbsup: .

 

[TxRambler]

"Tx,
My wife bought me a .54 GPR flint kit for Christmas a few years ago."

Cowpoke, you are a very lucky man. I am too, but she don't take hints. I tell everyone about my $20,000 Bess repro. "Darlin, I need a new musket" "Fine honey, but I need a new car". We made a deal. She was gonna get tha car anyway, so I traded for the Bess.

 

[JackAubrey]

Welcome Cracker Jim,I have a .50 cal GPR and you would be well served with one.I think if you trod the traditional path you will be happier rather than pursuing "the dark side".Trust your feelings,Jim.Let go...buy the GPR. :wink:

 

[CrackerJim]

Thanks for the continued encouragement! Yes, I've settled on the GPR 54 cal rifle. I told my wife :bow: about the boss assuring me that we have work for me even if the planned project doesn't come through......no dice.......when I've got the permit and setting up the job trailer, then I can order from Midsouth...... :grin:

So, will likely be another 2-3 weeks to get a project going but hopefully some time in August will start making smoke (I want to shoot BP ilo subs also).

Jim

 

[tg]

Good choice, hope the wait is not a long one, if useing the sub powders pyroP may work better than the R as I recall just cut back the load by 10% if you try real BP you will likely stick with it, keep us posted.

 

[Robert58]

Glad to hear you settled on the GPR. It is a real nice Rifle.

I started out shooting Pyro P. I shot about 3/4 lb. before I was able to get Goex 3f BP. I will now never shoot anything but Real Black Powder. It IS that much better.

Now that your going to become a Muzzloader. You might as well join a Black Powder Club and get involved in the sport completely. Below is a link to all of the Black Powder Clubs in Florida, listed on the Muzzleloader Magazine Website. I am sure one of them is within driving distance of you. Also if you belong to a Club, getting real Black Powder will be no problem.
http://www.muzzleloadermag.com/Clubs/FLclub.htm

Good luck,
Robert