Need some help and opinion to make a decision of 3 Muzzleloader rifles

[griffiga]

I'd go with the under hammer too, but I like odd or unusual. Just make sure to pinch the cap so it stays on. Nothing like the clunk of metal on metal to make you realize you lost the cap.

 

[SDSmlf]

Difficult to offer help or an opinion not knowing what you want this muzzleloader for. Putting holes in paper, clearing squirrels off your property, maybe hunting deer or elk, or something to hang on the wall? Which one do you prefer the most and why?

 

[Crow-Feather]

1) .50 cal Lyman Great Plains rifle 672

2) .50 cal Underhammer kit from Pecatonica Rifle 650 Items to complete kit 100 total 750+

3) .54 cal Lyman Signature Series Great Plains rifle 806

Depends on price and what you are going to do with it.

Warm weather shooting, be advised that the Underhammer is prone to shower hot particles onto your left arm.

If cost is critical and style not so important, The Lyman Great Plains. A solid good looking accurate rifle.

If you want to pay extra for bling, that doesn't make the rifle more accurate, go with the Signature Series.

 

[FishDFly]

"Difficult to offer help or an opinion not knowing what you want this muzzleloader for. Putting holes in paper, clearing squirrels off your property, maybe hunting deer or elk, or something to hang on the wall? Which one do you prefer the most and why"

The best advice.

 

[Bullit]

I'd go with the Lyman GPR. I've one in 50 cal. Found it in a gun shop used and abused. Traded in another gun for it. Took it home, took it apart, cleaned it up and rebrowned the barrel. Best lookin and best shootin smokepole I have. Deadly accurate. Great balance.

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

There’s a lot of GPR bashing going around, but for the price, mine has been a great hunting gun and introduction into flintlocks. I also assembled a Pendersoli kit, and that too was fun, but not of higher quality in my opinion. Still... my goal with that kit (Kentucky pistol) was to assemble a kit that surpassed the factory assembly, and I think I achieved that. The nice thing about building your own is that all the decisions are up to you, and if you’re patient and competent with your hands, you can easily outdo the factory finishings and have a better rifle than if you bought it finished.

I have never owned an underhammer, but agree w/above that they seem to be a real niche. Guys that have ‘em love ‘em. I suspect those guys have some other unique items in their collections too.

 

[Sam squanch]

I would borrow an underhammer and shoot it a while to see if you liked it first. You may not....

 

[Snydly]

The Lyman 54.Great gun. Have had two of them and consider them to be quality guns. The one I am shooting now was a kit. Most accurate Muzzle loader I have.

 

[Bullit]

Well, I'll say this, and it's just personal preference. I've 4 blackpowder long guns. A GPR 50, a TC 54, a Knight 50 and a Traditions .32. My GPR would be the last to leave.

 

[FishnRod]

Another vote for the 54 GPR, accurate and versatile. The 54 has more thump, if you ever decide to chase the big stuff with a roundball.

 

[smoothshooter]

1) .50 cal Lyman Great Plains rifle 672

2) .50 cal Underhammer kit from Pecatonica Rifle 650 Items to complete kit 100 total 750+

3) .54 cal Lyman Signature Series Great Plains rifle 806

Resale value will be less on the underhammer because the odd look of them has limited appeal.
Very efficient design. Just strange looking.

 

[S.Kenton]

You could go with a used lyman. The old ones are great. I have a .54 slow twist. Awesome rifle. I've never wished for another hawken since I've got it. Incredibly reliable and accurate. Never had a misfire with it. Of course, I don't really struggle with misfires with any of my guns.

Only thing I really needed to do to mine was round off the sharp edge on butt plate.

I agree, I’ve got a GPR in a 54 cal. and have a couple of them on the past. Really good rifles, tried and true. If a used GPR is a possibility then that’s the route I’d go.

 

[.36Rooster]

Gunbroker for a used one. That's where I got mine. $325. Excellent deal, Although I've been getting burned on there lately though.

Open up an issue of muzzleloader magazine and visit every ads website. Most have a used gun or two. You might find one, or try here in the classifieds. This is what I intend to do from now on. I've had it with gunbroker.

But, if the pics are good and plentiful, the seller offers a refund, and has good reviews, you might try it. You still have no way of inspecting the lock strength and speed. But that's true anywhere online.

You could go with a new one also.

 

[hanshi]

As much as I have a fondness for underhammers, the GPR deserves special consideration.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

1) .50 cal Lyman Great Plains rifle 672

2) .50 cal Underhammer kit from Pecatonica Rifle 650 Items to complete kit 100 total 750+

3) .54 cal Lyman Signature Series Great Plains rifle 806

I'm partial to the #1 and #2 choices. These are fine functional guns. I love the quality of the Lyman products and if you ever go to sell it...you should find ready buyers. The under-hammers are more of a specialty market, and they definitely have a strong, though a sparse, following.

 

[Henry Miles]

The post is a year old, I hope a decision was reached before now!
*My bad, I didn't pay close attention to the date*

 

[TreeMan]

You can’t go wrong with either of the Great Plains rifles. If you want a prettier one with a nicer lock and trigger then go with the signature series. I’m not fond of the looks of the under hammers. A friend of mine had one years ago and it had a horrendous trigger pull.

 

[FishDFly]

If I was going to buy used, I would only buy from three places and in no particular order.:

1. Track, their descriptions are accurate and they offer a non-
shooting inspection period, if not satisficed all you are out is
postage.

2, The Gun Works, have been satisficed with prior purchases,
though at times I think they are a bit high.

3. Here, will only buy form folks who have been here for some
time. I have been happy with all purchases.

 

[TreeMan]

The post is a year old, I hope a decision was reached before now!

Original post is February 3, 2021. A few weeks old but not a year.

 

[FishDFly]

Yep, 13 days old, no reason to get in a hurry.,