Lyman Trade Rifle

[The Hungry Hunter]

I see there are many good comments about the Lyman GPR and I agree, I have one. What about the Lyman Trade rifle, what are your opinions about it? 50 ca.

 

[F.G. Ford]

Hi,
I had one years ago.
It was ok.
However it had that glitzy patch box, which didn't please me too much.
Also it had a fast twist in the barrel that shot bullets ok, but not great, and did not do well with round ball (group wise) with hunting loads.
I found the GPR more pleasing to the eye.
Fred

 

[Trot]

I have one in .54 flint and it is a very good rifle, no frills but shoots very accurately with patched round balls. I actually prefer it over the GPR for hunting, it just seems to fit me better.

 

[ebiggs1]

It is nearly the same gun. Personal opinion, go with the GPR if you are able.

 

[Lonegun1894]

Gents, correct me if I am wrong, but IIRC, the Trade Rifle is a 28" barrel with 1:48" ROT and a stock that is closer to a CVA or TC "Hawken", while the GPR has a 32" barrel, 1:60" ROT, and more drop in the stock. I have both the TC and CVA "Hawken", and 3 GPRs, and while all these rifles shoot very well, I have a strong preference for the way the GPR feels, even if it is a little longer and heavier. I have handled, but not fired the Lyman Trade Rifle, and it felt about like a TC or CVA to me at least architecture-wise. I would say try shouldering, and if at all possible, firing both, and see which you prefer. Like I said, both the TR and the GPR should shoot very well, but to me, the extra comfort provided by the GPR stock is very well worth the higher price. You may find the opposite is true for you though, which is why I suggest that you at least shoulder both before buying either.

 

[Trot]

You are correct, two very different guns and feel very different. I prefer the Trade rifle, just feels better to me. Both very good guns, just different.

 

[larry wv]

I have a GPR and a Trade rifle. I like the trade rifle better. Larry

 

[cowpoke1955]

I hyave two .54 GPRs and like them very much. I wanted something in 1 in 48" twist, so I picked up a .54 T/C Hawkens. The T/C has a 28" barrel, but it's 1" across the flats. The T/C is just plain heavy and feels chunk. I bought a .54 Trade Rifle a few months ago. It also has a 28" barrel, but it's only 15/16" across the flats (like the GPR). It is a dream to handle. Feels much lighter and slim, compared to the T/C, which I'm dumping. The Trade Rifle is the same quality as the GPR. As a correction yo an earlier post, the Trade Rifle does not have a patch box. It does not have set triggers, but the single trigger has a nice and smooth pull. The Trade Rifle comes with two rear sights, like the GPR. A Lyman adjustable and a fixed primitive. Personally, I really like it :thumbsup:

 

[larry wv]

I have the Cabala Hawken about the same as the Lyman Trade rifle . It has the patch box and double set triggers. Larry

 

[ryoung14]

As long as you're at it, hungry, take a look at the Lyman Deerstalker.

It's got 4" less barrel than the Trade Rifle, a wide shotgun style butt with a recoil pad, an unbreakable ramrod, 1:48 twist, and fiber optic sights. Needless to say it's the least traditional of the bunch, but it is comfortable, light, quick, and very handy. Just the thing for hunting from a stand or blind. Doesn't have the brass trim or patch box of the TR, however.

I can't say anything about accuracy at this point as I've yet to shoot my new .54; but some here report they're as accurate as the GPR.

 

[William O.]

I see there are many good comments about the Lyman GPR and I agree, I have one. What about the Lyman Trade rifle, what are your opinions about it? 50 ca.

I've had two Trade Rifles and both were very accurate, on par with the GPR's that I've owned. My last TR donated it's barrel along with trigger guard and some other furniture to become a semi-custom Plains Rifle stocked in cherry. It is still one of my most accurate muzzle loaders. I still consider it the best bang for your buck around. The stock may look similar to the T/C or Cabelas Hawken but they are not interchangeable and there is a difference in the way they shoulder and fit the shooter.

 

[stronics]

I have the trade rifle and it is very accurate with RB, it's all I tried in it. It fits me good and well made.
David

 

[William O.]

Another plus for the TR is that while a bit on the chunky side they are built like tanks and the single trigger and lock is completely reliable just not adjustable. Polishing the sear will smooth up the action a bit and the barrel can be removed via a single key for easy cleaning. Everything about the rifle is simple and rugged.

 

[chazz1975]

Will the TR take a Green Mountain replacement barrel? It looks a lot like the Cabela's Hawken made by Investarm, and if I am not mistaken, they also make Lyman's rifles. The T/C and Lyman/Investarm barrels all look alike, with the same nipple drum. Are they all the same?

 

[Spruce]

Another plus for the TR is that while a bit on the chunky side they are built like tanks and the single trigger and lock is completely reliable just not adjustable. Polishing the sear will smooth up the action a bit and the barrel can be removed via a single key for easy cleaning. Everything about the rifle is simple and rugged.

I agree. It is also $200 less than the GPR'S.

I've shouldered the TR & GPR, they both felt good.

My preference is the simpler the rifle, the better. Less to go wrong.

Anyone have the Trade Rifle in flintlock ?

How would the flinter compare to the percussion version ?

 

[Trot]

My Trade rifle is a .54 Flintlock. Great little gun, accurate and reliable. I did open the touch hole up a little bit, but since then no trouble at all.

 

[petew]

Will the TR take a Green Mountain replacement barrel? It looks a lot like the Cabela's Hawken made by Investarm, and if I am not mistaken, they also make Lyman's rifles. The T/C and Lyman/Investarm barrels all look alike, with the same nipple drum. Are they all the same?

If you go to Investarms site you can see the same models with the investarm model #. http://www.investarm.it/eng-avancarica.html

 

[Black Jack]

I currently have both a GPR and a Trade Rifle. As was previously mentioned, the GPR has more drop in the stock. The Trade Rifle also has a fatter comb and I personally have a little trouble getting my face (which is also fat) down far enough on the stock to pick up a good sight picture quickly. Other than that, I really like the simplicity of the TR design. I may just look for a slightly higher set of sights.

 

[chazz1975]

OK thanks. I just found the answer on Pecatonica River's website. They are interchangeable with the T/C Hawken and the Cabela's Hawken

 

[Mad Professor]

You can mix and match 15/16 TC/GM/Investarms/Lyman (single wedge)/Cabella barrels. Toledo barrels too.

Sometimes some alingment of the tang/breach plug is needed and sometimes the underrib needs trimming.

Lyman also made a Plains Rifle much like the Cabelas Hawken. Double set trigger, single barrel wedge, patch box. I have one with a rare .62/20ga smoothbore barrel