New rifle on the way...

[Dave_B]

I just ordered a Lyman Great Plains rifle from the possible shop. I bought this one finished as it took my several years to finally finish my CVA Hawken. Too many hobbies!
Thanks the the fine folks here that helped me pick this gun. :thumbsup:
Dave

 

I bought one years ago. Had a problem with the haammer connecting with the nipple. I contacted Lyman Arms concerning the problem and they basically blew me off. I still have th rifle although I haven'tshot it in several years.

As far as reproductions go the Lyman Great Plains Rifle isn't bad. I don't know what caliber you have, but get a copy of the Lyman Black Powder Guide or a copy of Thompson Centers guide and go by their charges.

Furthermore, check out this forum. There's lot's of great info out there. All you have to do is ask!

 

[Dave_B]

I am hoping the gun will be fine from the git go, but if not, what the warrantee doesn't cover, I will. I figure I will add a coat or two to the finish and go from there. I'm hoping to one day take a Javelina with it.
BTW, I bought a .50 caliber.
Dave

 

Dave, I sincerely hope you enjoy your new rifle! What rate of twist is it? I'd suggest that you get a copy of the Lyman Black Powder guide.

Assumuming it's the one and 66 twist I'd recommend the 490 ball with a .015 patch and start with 75 grains of FFG and work your way up to a load you're happy with. Good luck and welcome to the world of muzzeleloading!

Be advised, Once the muzzeleloading bug bites, you'll never go back!!!

 

[Swampman]

I'd try a .485 or .490 ball and 60 grains of 3f. 2f is good for making your grass green.

 

[Rebel]

Only 2f Elephant, the others shoot too well to use for fertilizer. And i would go with a .495 rd ball and pillow ticking patch over 70-80 grs of 3f powder.

 

[Dave_B]

I'd try a .485 or .490 ball and 60 grains of 3f. 2f is good for making your grass green.

Grass Green? Huh?
I'll be starting with RP, it seems to work great in my .50 Hawken. I really should buy some BP to try. The manual recommends 2F.
The gun is a 1:66 twist and I have a few boxes of .490 and .495 ball on the bench. I'll try that first.
Dave

 

[jethro224]

Dave B,
I hope you have as much fun as I've had with my GPR. They are a good gun.
I bought a .54 flinter last fall. It quickly became my favorite gun. I like it so much that I just recently bought a used .50 caplock GPR for when it's raining hard during deer season. :grin: (at least that's the excuse I'm usin') :grin:
I plan to order a .32 or .40 GM barrel from TOW for the percussion rifle, as soon as I save enough pennies. Then I'll have a better squirrel gun and can sell my Crockett rifle.
I haven't shot the .50 yet, but my .54 likes 80 grains of 3F Goex/.530 round ball/pillow ticking. :thumbsup:
They say BP makes good fertilizer, but I can't imagine wasting it like that. :nono:
Enjoy your new rifle! :hatsoff:

 

[Dave_B]

Dave B,
I hope you have as much fun as I've had with my GPR. They are a good gun.
I bought a .54 flinter last fall. It quickly became my favorite gun. I like it so much that I just recently bought a used .50 caplock GPR for when it's raining hard during deer season. :grin: (at least that's the excuse I'm usin') :grin:
I plan to order a .32 or .40 GM barrel from TOW for the percussion rifle, as soon as I save enough pennies. Then I'll have a better squirrel gun and can sell my Crockett rifle.
I haven't shot the .50 yet, but my .54 likes 80 grains of 3F Goex/.530 round ball/pillow ticking. :thumbsup:
They say BP makes good fertilizer, but I can't imagine wasting it like that. :nono:
Enjoy your new rifle! :hatsoff:

Jethro224,
Thanks for the info. I would really like to shoot a flintlock one day, just to see what it is like. The lock time of my percussion rifle took a while to get used to - I not so sure I am really used to it yet. A flintlock must be interesting to say the least. :hmm: Seems like a whole lot of stuff happens before the BOOM. :shocked2:
Why 3F and not 2F powder? I thought 3F was better for small caliber rifles, pistols and priming pans.
Dave

 

[Rebel]

3f is fine to use in a .50 or .54 cal, just reduce your load by 15 percent or so. Your ignition lag time could be casued by the Pyrodex RS you are using. If you try some real black powder i think you will be amazed at how fast your ignition time is. You could also try some Pyrodex P in it.That may give you faster ignition than the RS. Have fun.

 

[cayugad]

Lyman makes a great rifle. I am sure it will be a great shooter like most all Lyman rifles are. They are a beautiful rifle.. Good luck with it.

 

[papellet]

I have the GPR in both percussion and flint, both left handed models. They are great rifles and not only shoot the roundballs well, the small conicals work great. I use both the 245 grain buffalo ball- et and the Hornady great plains.
Jethro you mentioned a 32 or 40 barrel. I bought a 32 barrel for my Lyman trade rifle, it makes it real heavy and I think that would be even more pronounced in the longer barrel GPR.

 

[jethro224]

Dave B, My flinter shoots every bit as quick as any caplock I ever fired. But it is most definitely "interesting". You'll be hooked as soon as you get a chance to try it.

I have to agree with Rebel. I have used RS and P. Goex works much better/quicker/cleaner. :thumbsup:
I'm using the 3F because my groups tightened up a bit over the 2F. Still need to play around with the load tho. Might find a better one yet.

Phil, I realize the smaller bore barrels will make the rifle heavier. I'm not too terribly concerned about a bit more weight. I generally spend more time sitting than walking around when I'm huntin' tree rats anyway. But thanks for the tip!
I really like the .32 and I have all the stuff to load, shoot and clean it. I'll probably end up with the .40 tho because TOW has them all ready to go and cheaper than the .32s. Then there is the weight issue. Not a big thing, but it is a factor.

Sorry if I'm getting off topic. Not meaning to highjack the thread.

 

[Robert58]

Dave B

I have a T/C Hawken that I bought a while back. I started with a pound of Pyrodex P. I thought I had pretty fast ignition. I was shooting about 5" groups at 25 yards(I'm old and blind). I bought some real BP 3F a while back and last month I finaly ran out of the Pyrodex P and shot the real stuff for the first time. WOW, the rifle went off so fast it surprised me. My groups went down to 1 1/2", and I won third place at my clubs monthly shoot. I will never shoot anything but real Black Powder again. I shoot 45 grains for target and 90 grains for hunting. 490 RB, white on white .018 pillow ticking from Walmart cut at the muzzle, lubed with spit for target and Bore Butter for hunting.

Good luck with your new rifle,
Robert

 

[Dave_B]

Ok, you guys have convnced me. I'll go buy a can of Goex 3F and one of 2F and do some shooting. :thumbsup:
Now I have to find out where to buy it. The sports stores near me have all dropped BP and stock Pyrodex and Triple 7.
There is a gun store down the street aways...
Dave

 

[jethro224]

www.grafs.com is where I get mine. There is a 4 lb minimum, I believe. And you have to pay the haz-mat fee but they will pay the shipping. :thumbsup:
It's cheaper than Pyro by the lb but the volume is less and you have the $20 haz-mat fee. I figured it out that if I buy 5 lb of Goex at a time it equals out to the same $ as if I bought Pyro off the shelf.
If your state law and personal budget allows it, a 25 lb case is the best deal.
:v

 

[Dave_B]

Thanks for the link.
I'll see if I can find it locally, and if not, I'll order it.
Dave

 

[Robert58]

Try to find a Black Powder Club in your area and call the Secretary and see if she can put you in touch with a member that will sell you a can or go in with you on an order.

Robert

 

[Dave_B]

Thanks! A guy at work gave me that very suggestion today. There is a large black powder club in town and I'll call, if not join.
Dave