Lyman or Thompson

[stone knife]

Which one is the better made Hawken?

 

[necchi]

Oh boy, we haven't seen this one for awhile.
Good Luck.
:surrender:

Blonde or Brunette.
Ford or Chevy.
6 or a half dozen.
Liberal or Conservative.
Believer or Non-Believer.

It's all a matter of personal experiance, opinion and prefrance. The variables between the two kinda requires a more defined list of goals, needs and desires than to question "whats best".

Both shoot well. Much of it has to do with fit. And both make or have made other models than the "Hawken" that may be more desirable too an individual.

 

[BrownBear]

I own both, and as Necchi sezz the real differences boil down to personal fit. The TC has a higher comb on the stock (apparently to ease scope use), and if you have prominent cheekbones, it's likely to whack the snot out of you. I am so built, and with heavy loads a TC leaves me pretty snotty. Lyman GPRs have more drop and I can shoot very heavy loads in them without discomfort.

As for the name "Hawken"?

Neither of them qualifies, according to guys who really know Hawkens. The TC is more of a "California" rifle in style, coming close to rifles made there relatively late in the muzzleloading era. The Lyman evidently comes pretty close to a typical "plains" rifle and misses some fine points on Hawken design. They don't claim it's a Hawken, and that's to their credit.

As for build quality, I find them comparable. Both have their idiosyncrasies. Lots is made of the warranty backing the TC, and it's a goodun. I've never had problems dealing with Lyman, but never had major warranty-related problems either.

The TC is US made and the Lyman is made in Italy by Investarms.

Now we're down to taste, and there's no accounting for that.

 

[jethro224]

Exactly which Lyman "Hawken" are we discussing?

As noted, Lyman does not make a rifle they call a "Hawken".
The Lyman Great Plains Rifle looks more like a real Hawken.
The Lyman Trade Rifle looks more like a T/C Hawken.

 

[tiger955]

As the others have posted, they do fit differently. I own 2 TC's and like the way they fit me, I have fired a couple Lymans and they are nice also. Two things the others did not mention...
First, the TC's usually have a 1-48 twist, kind of fussy on loads for round balls in my experience. Second, if you are looking at buying a new rifle, the Lyman can be had for close to half the cost of a new TC.
Like I said, I have 2 TC's and like them a lot, but if I were buying a new rifle I would have to go with a Lyman. See if you can find a local ML club and handle a few rifles, most guys are happy to let you. Good Luck

 

[stone knife]

Exactly which Lyman "Hawken" are we discussing?

As noted, Lyman does not make a rifle they call a "Hawken".
The Lyman Great Plains Rifle looks more like a real Hawken.
The Lyman Trade Rifle looks more like a T/C Hawken.

It would be the GPR

 

[stone knife]

I probable should elaborate on this question, I'm looking for a deer gun that looks kinda authentic, I'm not a reenactor by any stretch of the imagination. I would like a good deer gun that is a good shooter and looks like a Hawken.

 

[necchi]

Then the Lyman GPR in .54
The GPH has a faster twist for conicals, yet the roundball is really all that's needed for deer size game.
But do try to find a store or pawn shop that has the two and shoulder them if at all possible.
Comfort of fit IS a big deal.

 

[BrownBear]

For my "tastes" the Lyman comes closer. But if you really want to get closer to the Hawken than either in production guns, go with the Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken or the October Country half stocks.

 

[nmdd]

I probable should elaborate on this question, I'm looking for a deer gun that looks kinda authentic, I'm not a reenactor by any stretch of the imagination. I would like a good deer gun that is a good shooter and looks like a Hawken.

Mebbe this?
http://www.thehawkenshop.com/

 

[S.Kenton]

I have both.. and like both. Kinda a toss up to me.. :surrender:

 

[sdhunter]

i own the gpr .54 with the 1 in 60 twist barrel. The rifle is a great shooter and looks better and is easier on the wallet than the tcs imo. but i have never shot a tc hawken so i cannot comment on their "shootability". I have heard that TC makes a mighty fine lock but the barrels can be fussy.

 

[BadHorse]

I probable should elaborate on this question, I'm looking for a deer gun that looks kinda authentic, I'm not a reenactor by any stretch of the imagination. I would like a good deer gun that is a good shooter and looks like a Hawken.

i have a hawken, and a lyman gpr, the gpr is the weapon to go with, it looks the closest, and they are affordable. even owning a great hawken, i still love to shoot my GPR. if you do get one up grade the triggers immediately to the davis deerslayer trigger set. its $40 and you will be glad you did

 

[William O.]

For your stated purpose I think that the Lyman Great Plains Rifle will suit you best. As has been pointed out, the 1:60 rate of twist spins round balls very accurately and comes in 50 or 54 caliber. The Davis "Deer Slayer" is a drop in trigger assembly that greatly improves the feel and shootability if you will of the rifle. And, you can get additional barrels for it in a different caliber or for shooting conicals, which the Great Plains Hunter barrel is designed to do with it's fast twist rifling.

 

[ebiggs1]

As to general in practice use, there is little difference. In general quality there is no discussion, the TC “Hawken” is hands down better. Also it depends if you are comparing flintlocks or percussion. There is much less difference in cap guns than the flintlock models. Lyman flintlocks need a lot of work to make them shoot as well as a TC flintlock does.

 

[ebiggs1]

The thought the 1/48 ROT barrels won't shoot RB's is nonsense. :wink:

 

[Rat Trapper]

I have always gone with the TC rifles. I like the way they are put together and how they fit me.
TC has the very best customer service dept you will find anywhere. I find the 1-48 twist will shoot round balls or conicals both very well. I have even heard some have shot the nasty new modern bullets held in plastic with great results. We do hope you don't resort to that.Today as the modern muzzle loaders are more in demand, you can often find a used TC in excellent shape for a low price. Buying a used TC has never worried me as I knew if I needed anything fixed, I could always count on the TC customer service dept. Just make sure the bore is good, and the little things can be taken care of. Go with the TC rifles and you will never be unhappy.

 

[tg]

I think that for the authentic looks and good solid preformance you will not be dissapointed with the LGP with the ball barrel in a .50/.54 not much difference there I had one years ago and it was one of my favorites over the years, you will hear very few complants about them, if you get a kit they go togetjer very easily and yopuncan have a gun a bit of a "cut above" the LGP off the shelf with a finish of your choice and maybe a cap or patch box

 

[Zip]

All I can tell ya is that the TC I own shoots immeasurably better than the Lyman I don't. :haha:

 

[cowpoke1955]

I also cast my vote for the Lyman GPR. I have two .54 GPRs, one percussion and one flint, along with one .54 T/C Hawkens percussion. The GPRs are very accurate out to 100 yards with patched round balls. They are well ballanced and carry well. I bought the .54 GPR percussion over 30 years ago and never had a problem. The T/C is shorter, chunckier and just plain feels heavy. The T/C has shallower grooves that is better suited for conicals, like the T/C Maxi Ball. If you want a .54, forget the T/C. They only make .50 calibers now. I keep my T/C for conicals only. Now for the price. Midsouth list the .50 T/C Hawkens percussion for $762.60: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000315024 . Third Generation list the .54 Lyman GPR percussion for $420.00: http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/browse.cfm/4,11456.html . $342.60 can buy a lot of powder and lead :thumbsup: