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

[lonewolf172]

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

 

[Eterry]

Be the unusual muzzleloader, get the under hammer. I enjoy both of mine.

 

[NorthFork]

Besides the underhammer, are #1 and #3 kits or factory built? I have a real fondness for underhammers. You should know (if you don't already) that #1 is made by Investarms in Italy and #3 is made by Pedersoli of Italy.

 

[FishDFly]

Follow Eterry's advice.

Lyman has too many reported problems.

 

[.36Rooster]

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.

 

[Old Hawkeye]

#3, cause it's a 54!!

 

[fleener]

You handy enough and willing to spend the time to put the kit together? Depending on you, it might take a year or more to do the kit.

Fleener

 

[lonewolf172]

You handy enough and willing to spend the time to put the kit together? Depending on you, it might take a year or more to do the kit.

Fleener

Actually there isn't that much to do. I'm paying those at Pecatonica Rifle to do everything to the barrel so that all I have to do is maybe polish it some and then brown and put on sights. The stock forearm is already inletted for the barrel and the butt stock looks like it would just need a little shaping and fitting to the action and a little inletting for the butt plate. Here' a couple pictures of the kit.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I take a different stance because I like traditional looking muzzleloaders and never liked the stark metal look of an under hammer which probably represent 1% or less of the muzzleloaders out there.

Then there is selling your rifle somewhere down the road, under hammers fill a niche market and you will have to find someone who loves them to sell your rifle and move on to the next level, a Kibler perhaps.

 

[forty_caliber]

I have a Lyman GPR in .54 (Investarms). It works, but it's not great. Fit and finish are reasonable. The blue/black bluing is soft and wears off easily. The lock is horrid...weak and finicky. Have a $185 L+R lock on order from TOW to fix that. Sights aren't much better and am replacing those too...another $200.

$600 for the rifle and another $400 in upgrades out of the box.

.40

 

[.36Rooster]

I understand lymans have changed makers a lot. I don't know who made mine, or what year as I bought it used, but mine is nothing like yours. HIGH, HIGH quality.

If I had a way of identifying the Era of lyman that this model came from, I would highly recommend it. My god it is a good rifle.

 

[Boomerang]

I would go with #3 if it were me.

 

[Bad Karma]

I’ll second the under hammer kit. You can have a fine rifle with historical roots that can shoot with the best of them... and you built it. There’s not a lot left to complete the kit but... the difference between a run of the mill kit gun and a really beautiful rifle is almost all in the finishing.

 

[Musketeer]

Of the two "sidelocks" I'd go with #3 for sure, unless you're willing to go used and can find a nice old #1.

 

[LostinIdaho]

I would go for the underhammer. I like mine better than my Dad's Great Plains Rifle. But it was an adventure to make. I like an adventure. I also like take-down rifles and rifles with interchangeable barrels.

The under-hammer design is old too from the early 1800's. There were even under-hammer flintlocks too. That would be something to try some day.

 

[lonewolf172]

I would go for the underhammer. I like mine better than my Dad's Great Plains Rifle. But it was an adventure to make. I like an adventure. I also like take-down rifles and rifles with interchangeable barrels.

The under-hammer design is old too from the early 1800's. There were even under-hammer flintlocks too. That would be something to try some day.

I am leaning more towards the Underhammer kit, .50cal 1X36" Green Mountain barrel. I think once it's finished, if I do my part, it will be a $800+ ML

 

[bubba.50]

From what l’ve read, the Pedersoli Great Plains now has a 1 inch barrel. That would make it more attraactive to me but still don’t think that justifies the price tag.

 

[Kansas Kid]

Out of those three choices I would go with #2 . Most likely every thing made in the USA and probably a Green Mountain barrel , especially if you specify that.

 

[painter]

Opinions are worth what you pay for them, but I'd do the underhammer kit. I just like them for their unconventionality.

 

[FishDFly]

Depending on your age, shooting #3 off hand may be a challenge.