Made decision on what to buy.

[JimG]

As a follow up to my previous "stepping up in quality" post, I've decided on what to purchase. It will be a Lyman GPR in percussion. Reasons-
1. Has the apropriate twist for PRB
2. Long sight radius
3. For a mass produced BP rifle, it has a good reliability/quality track record
4. For a mass produced BP rifle it is the most similar to the 'real rifles of that period' or PC for the Fur Period. I'm not saying it's a 'Hawken', but it's close to most weapons for that period.
5. Price vs what you get is very good.
I know that the Pedersoli Hawken is probably closer to PC than the Lyman but something is telling me no on that one. Not sure why. I'm torn between the kit and the factory finished rifle though. The Lyman Trade rifle caught my eye but it's certainly not PC in way shape or form and it does not have the twist (1-48 vs 1-60 or slower) I'm looking for. 1-48 may be what the real Hawkens had but I'd like to stick with something slower. The Traditions rifle I have has a 1-48 twist and to be blunt it's not the way to go for either conicals/sabots (too slow) or PRB (too fast) in my opinion. I'm apprehensive on buying throught via the internet as I want to actually see the gun in hand. The two Lymans I've seen were very poor in fit and finish. Actually they were horrible. So I'll either be making a long long trip to the Log Cabin Shop or Dixie come mid to late October.

edit- after reading a few books and doing some study this past week or so I found that I was wrong on the period I was interested in.
A little knowledge goes a long way. So my initial thoughts on time/place should be disregarded.

 

[Snuffy]

Nice Ml. Buy a better/hotter nipple if you purchasing a percussion. Some new Lyman buyers have hangfires. Some of it is caused by shooter inexperience -- some of it depends on their powder quality. Allow for a few boxes of conicals ( 50-75 shots) to ensure smoothing of the bore. Some new Lyman bores can be a little rough.

Once broken in, you should find it very trustworthy/accurate. The only one in that style that I like better is the fancy stock Austin-Halleck Mountain Rifle. I used to also prefer the Uberti Santa Fe, but I heard that one either got discontinued or saw a face-lift.... can't remember.

 

[Bob J]

I have been real pleased with my .54 percussion GPR. Its very accurate and reliable. Pleasing to look at, too. I recommend ordering an extra set of wedge keys (the front and rear are different lengths), and a spare Lyman stainless steel nipple or two.

 

[Rebel]

If you fire conicals through a Rough bore you are going to wind up with a Leaded bore. Better to smooth the bore out by running a jag with some 0000 steel wool with some oil or WD-40 on it all the way down and up about 100 strokes.JMO

 

[Snuffy]

If you fire conicals through a Rough bore you are going to wind up with a Leaded bore. Better to smooth the bore out by running a jag with some 0000 steel wool with some oil or WD-40 on it all the way down and up about 100 strokes.JMO

What does Lyman say when an issue occurs with your 'still under warranty" barrel & needs to have it back for inspection -- only to find steel wool marks inside the bore?????????

That's why I recommended the natural way to smooth out those small burrs. The harder the lead -- the faster it gets smooth.

Black Jack Hill has REAL bullets you can buy with hard lead & softer lead. Use those for breaking-in the bore. Get them by google search.... typing-in "Black Jackl Hill"

 

Good choice :thumbsup: I love my 54 GPR.The kits are fun to put together.I browned the barrell and added some brass tacks on mine.Looks pretty cool.Whatever choice you make you'll be happy :winking:

 

[shmrck1]

Jim,
The Lyman GPR is a good choice, I don't think
you will regret it.
snake-eyes :hatsoff:

 

[Robert58]

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156031102

They have that Rifle for $357.00 as apposed to Log Cabin and Dixie $435.00. That is alot of money just to be able to pick out the one you want off the rack. You might call Midsouth and ask if they will pick one with better figure in the stock for a fee.

Robert

 

[JimG]

Mid South and others will not ship to IL. We have draconian gun laws here.

 

[Robert58]

Their in Clarksville Tennessee. Doesn't look that far on the map.

Robert

 

[Snuffy]

That's a nice ride!

I would do the same if I were that fussy about the looks of my MLs.

Thankfully I'm not. There are still some thickets and briars out there awaiting to scratch my guns.

.... and I don't care!

If the son & grandson don't like the sctatched ML heirloom they receive in the future.... too bad -- they can sell them!

I promise not to roll over in my grave...lol :blah:

 

[renovato]

Jim, I can't think of a better upgrade than the GRP, for the very reasons you mentioned. As to kits, you don't really end up saving any money by the time you factor in tools, finish, labor, etc. If you enjoy building them, then it's a great kit. Easy to build, inletting and holes are pretty accurate, etc. I've built one and am starting another.

 

[BillinOregon]

Jim: If you have the time to go the kit route, it is easier to correct some of the stock architecture flaws in the GPR, which otherwise is a very fine rifle. The most glaring issues are the tang hump and the very slightly convex line from the toe to the wrist. This needs to be dead straight or even a smidge concave to my eye. Correcting the hump at the breech tang can be a bit of a chore, as it means filing down or bending the tang into a straighter, smoother line and then bringing down the stock hump to match it. Either or both of these tweaks give the GPR a much more elegant line more in keeping with the Hawken shape. But even if you choose not to make these changes, the GPR is still the best buy in off-the-shelf round ball guns, I think.