Now full bore into Muzzleloading

[Atlast357]

Been awhile. I have been shooting BP revolvers for several years, and never reached out for a long gun.....that is till now. After reviewing a lot of types and brands to fit into my desire and budget, the Hawken type Great Plains by Lyman came in first. Just got a new one yesterday and glade , cuss this is the one.
It is a beauty :thumbsup:

 

[Cowboy]

Good for you! A GPR is a very good choice. What caliber did you get? I have one in .50 cal. I love mine and it's very accurate. I shoot a .490 ball with 70 grains of 2f and .15 patch. Since you received a new one you want to be sure you really clean out the bore real good before you shoot it. Lyman uses alot of bore preservative in their barrels to protect from rust. Also I would not worry about trying to work up an accurate load for it just yet. It takes about a couple hundred balls through it before the barrel settles down and good accuracy is achieved. You might also see that your patches are shredded around the ends at first. This is normal. The sharp rifling in the new barrel will shred patches until it is broke in. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your new rifle. It is a good one. Respectfully, cowboys1062.

 

[Atlast357]

cowboys.
Mine is a .50 cal 1-60 twist for round ball. I have a .490 mold to cast my own bullets.
After reading every word of the instructions are very detailed about cleaning before firing.
Thanks for the tip on patches and gr loads. Going out today looking for patch material.
I'm looking forward to a lot enjoyment. Love bp shooting.

 

[Chevythunderman]

Now in a couple years you can look at that rifle on your wall and the 12 others you have acquired since then and think "that's where it all started"....Welcome to the addiction we all meet on this forum daily. In my opinion the gpr is the closest factory rifle to an original hawken on the market right now. Plus they shoot amazing. My buddy has one in a .50 flintlock who doesn't shoot everyday like some of us do and can shoot right with us...

 

[Jim C]

Congrats......I've had my GPR now for 15 yrs. It's so accurate that I squirrel hunt with it. I wouldn't take anything for it. Mine likes a .495 ball with a .015 spit patch and 70 grs 2f Goex for all of the one hole 5 shot 25 yard groups you could ever want. Before you buy your ball mold you might want to do a little testing and figure out which diameter ball your new rifle prefers. For instance, mine won't shoot a .490 ball worth a flip with any load combination, but with the .495 she's dead nuts.

 

[mr.flintlock]

Congratulations on your new rifle. I have never owned a GPR but have several friends who own them and I have never heard anything but good things about them. Old fashioned pillow ticking seems to work pretty good for patching material. I make my own patch lube by mixing olive oil, water and alcohol in equal parts. I put it in a little squirt bottle with a folding nozzle. The ingredients will separate if the bottle sets for a while so I put my finger over the nozzle and give it a little shake before I squirt it onto the patch. When at the range, I can shoot all day without needing to swab between shots. I hope you will try this.

 

[Atlast357]

A follow up on my new Lyman Hawken GPR.
After measuring the bore, I determined the patch
thickness of .020 and the .490 ball would be a good start.
Loaded up a light 35 gr 3f Goex and my home made patch.
Fired off several rounds at about 20 yrds . The factory setting of rear sight windage was dead on just about 4" low. Brought
the sight up one full turn.
Oh shoot howdy happy day. Some of you said I would be happy. :haha: That was an understatement.

 

[azmntman]

soon and very soon (an ol baptist hymn)

You'll be getting way good groups out to 75+ yds! Oh the day is comin........