I'm working a new .54 kit I purchased. I've owned .50's but never a .54. I was wondering if anyone could suggest any loads that have worked well in there guns (.535 or .530?, patch size, powder amount, etc.). For reference it is a Lyman GPR. Thanks in advance for any help!
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New .54
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My GPR seems to prefer .530 on a .015 patch and shoots well anywhere between 60 and 80 grains of 3F. Unlike some of my other .54's the GPR isn't as finicky about powder granulation and amount.
I generally use the Ballistol dry patching system, but on occasion I use Hoppe's black powder lube on the patches. I like the Hoppe's because I don't need to swab between shots and it isn't a greasy mess like some lubes.
I generally use the Ballistol dry patching system, but on occasion I use Hoppe's black powder lube on the patches. I like the Hoppe's because I don't need to swab between shots and it isn't a greasy mess like some lubes.
Many Klatch
69 Cal.
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I have a .54 with a Getz barrel. I use a .526 ball and .018 pillow ticking. I can start the ball without using a hammer. I have a small projection on my powder measure that pushes the ball past the coned muzzle, then the ramrod pushes it home.
I found that at 25 yards it shoots in the same place whether I use 55 or 75 grains of 3F. At 50 yards and over I use 75 grains of 3F. I prime with 3F as well.
Many Klatch
I found that at 25 yards it shoots in the same place whether I use 55 or 75 grains of 3F. At 50 yards and over I use 75 grains of 3F. I prime with 3F as well.
Many Klatch
AeroncaTAL
50 Cal.
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Rancher, Good luck on your kit. You have a real nice gun. I'm still getting to know my GPR; I've been using .530 balls with .018 patches. Started with 70 grains of Goex FF, I've dropped back to 50 grains. Keep us posted on the building.
Scott
Scott
My Lyman GPR .54 likes - for 25 yd target; 50 gr Goex 3f with 300 tpi egyptian cotton (old bed sheet) cut at the muzzle spit patch and .530 home cast RB. For hunting I increase the load to 75 gr Goex 3f with all else the same. It is capable of shooting one ragged hole at 25 yds off-hand and 2" groups from the bench at 100 yds if I do my part. I also have a GPR in .50 and it will do similar groups, but I like the .54 better, just 'cuz.
I shoot a .54 with a Colerain barrel. Settled on a .530 RB, a .015 patch lubed with bore butter and 60 gr GOEX FFg for target shooting out to 50 yards. Tried .535 RB but loading was just too much of a PIA and didn't really improve the accurracy any.
For longer shots or hunting, I take it up to 80 grains. If I want to go heavier than that I have to add a lubed 20 ga felt wad over the powder.
For longer shots or hunting, I take it up to 80 grains. If I want to go heavier than that I have to add a lubed 20 ga felt wad over the powder.
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My GPR 54 is a cap rather than flint, but it falls pretty well in line with what everyone else says. It's really forgiving about powder charge as long as you have a good patch/ball combo. I settled on 30gr FFF for small game, 50gr FFF for target and 90gr FFF or 100gr FF for hunting, simply because that's the extent of my powder measures. Accuracy was no better or worse than I found by shooting a whole range of test loads using an adjustable measure to explore charges between those of my measures.
One additional thought: Clean the heck out of that GPR bore right off the bat for best results. Whatever they apply for bore preservative is hard on accuracy, but the dickens to get out completely.
On the "field application" side of things, my various 54's have all my hunting pards swithcing from their 50's for elk and moose, with a spill over into deer. The larger, heavier ball gives a little better performance on the big stuff with no penalty on deer. On deer kills are just enough quicker to be noticeable.
One additional thought: Clean the heck out of that GPR bore right off the bat for best results. Whatever they apply for bore preservative is hard on accuracy, but the dickens to get out completely.
On the "field application" side of things, my various 54's have all my hunting pards swithcing from their 50's for elk and moose, with a spill over into deer. The larger, heavier ball gives a little better performance on the big stuff with no penalty on deer. On deer kills are just enough quicker to be noticeable.
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Not a lot of difference in my book, except burn rate. FFF seems to be a little more accurate with lighter loads, and certainly burns cleaner for me. I use it with heavy loads if that's what I already have on hand. Sometimes it's not worth re-canning the FFF for a switch to FF. Just cut down on the load a bit.
I use 3F because I can use it for both the main charge and the prime in my .54
Just lazy. Rumor has it it burns cleaner, but I don't observe that in practice.
Just lazy. Rumor has it it burns cleaner, but I don't observe that in practice.
monster10rackstack
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thanksa for the help i just picked up my first 54 too
I use 3F in most of my rifles because it's just as accurate and it seems to be a big cleaner. My Investarms Hawken doesn't like it though. It's especially handy if you own pistols too, same powder for them all. Works fine for priming flinters too. I do keep a few cans of 2F around for the Investarms, but I'm determined someday to find a 3F load combo that it likes.
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