A question

[dh4stretch3]

Hey guys, I have a question or two about muzzleloading.

I traveled to Washington state a few summers ago and shot my uncle's blackpowder percussion caps at a rendezvous. I had a real fun time, and even with a badly burnt hand still shot well Well it's been a couple years, but I've been researching it lately and I'm very close to deciding on a rifle.

I'm looking at the Lyman Great Plains Rifle in percussion cap in either 50 or 54 caliber. Most of the time this rifle will be used at the rendevous' for target shooting and the fun competition that comes with them. But, when dear season comes around, I'd like to use it for hunting. The idea of hunting with the old technology just seems that much more exciting.

I've talked to my uncle, and he says most shots range from 20-100 yards, with occasionally a shot to 125 yards and the average shot being 50 yards or so. I'd like to hunt roundball if its a viable option.

So my question basically is, 1) will the Lyman GPR work well for my intended use, 2) which caliber would be better, 50 or 54 and 3) can I use round ball at those distances or would conical be a better choice?


Thanks in advance for the information

[arcticap]

A slower twist ratemight not allow you the option to decide whether to shoot a conical at a longer distance at deer. I'm not sure what the twist rate is, butafriend shot his .50 GPR with Buffalo Ball-ets and a wool wad and hereported that they shot well outto about 70 yards.
If it has a slow twist, then there may not be many accurate conicals availablefor hunting larger bodieddeer.
A .54 round ball mayprovide better insuranceand penetration on large bodied deer at longer distances, but the.50shooting PRB's will also work fine on average size deer with the right placement. There just may not be asmuchof a marginfor error, especiallyat longerdistances.
If you're going to be shooting competition, thenshooting a.50would probably cause less recoil and use less powder.

[gleason.chapman]

ORIGINAL: dh4stretch3

Hey guys, I have a question or two about muzzleloading.

I traveled to Washington state a few summers ago and shot my uncle's blackpowder percussion caps at a rendezvous. I had a real fun time, and even with a badly burnt hand still shot well Well it's been a couple years, but I've been researching it lately and I'm very close to deciding on a rifle.

I'm looking at the Lyman Great Plains Rifle in percussion cap in either 50 or 54 caliber. Most of the time this rifle will be used at the rendevous' for target shooting and the fun competition that comes with them. But, when dear season comes around, I'd like to use it for hunting. The idea of hunting with the old technology just seems that much more exciting.

I've talked to my uncle, and he says most shots range from 20-100 yards, with occasionally a shot to 125 yards and the average shot being 50 yards or so. I'd like to hunt roundball if its a viable option.

So my question basically is, 1) will the Lyman GPR work well for my intended use, 2) which caliber would be better, 50 or 54 and 3) can I use round ball at those distances or would conical be a better choice?


Thanks in advance for the information

Depends on the twist of the rifle if it is 1:66 or 1:70 you will have to shoot roundballs. If it is 1"48 it will shoot everything, including sabots. If it is 1:28 then it is a sabot shooter. I have a 1:48 TC flintlock 50 cal. I use to shoot roundballs in it, but I get better groups at 50 yards with sabots and a 300g Speer Gold Dot.I shoot 70g ofGoex fff in the FL. If your going to shoot round balls then get the .54, since it has better down range energy with the larger ball. Best Wishes on getting a good Great Plains Rifle and getting it shooting well. Also read these articles concerning bullet selection for Muzzleloading:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/muzzleloading_bullets.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/conical_bullet_performance.htm


Chap Gleason

[yeoman]

Get the 50 caliber. You would limit your roundball shots to 75 yds. on game.You'll have a much better time at the rendezvoussharing afew bullets/ patcheswith others in 50 caliber and the availability of supplies is far greater. It sounds like you'll want the slow twist for starters. You can find a drop in barrel in faster twist when you've enjoyed the "primitive" experience to your satisfaction. Or, maybe you'll go to a flintlock instead.

Sounds like you are going to have a "blast"!

[cayugad]

ORIGINAL: dh4stretch3

Hey guys, I have a question or two about muzzleloading.

I traveled to Washington state a few summers ago and shot my uncle's blackpowder percussion caps at a rendezvous. I had a real fun time, and even with a badly burnt hand still shot well Well it's been a couple years, but I've been researching it lately and I'm very close to deciding on a rifle.

I'm looking at the Lyman Great Plains Rifle in percussion cap in either 50 or 54 caliber. Most of the time this rifle will be used at the rendevous' for target shooting and the fun competition that comes with them. But, when dear season comes around, I'd like to use it for hunting. The idea of hunting with the old technology just seems that much more exciting.

I've talked to my uncle, and he says most shots range from 20-100 yards, with occasionally a shot to 125 yards and the average shot being 50 yards or so. I'd like to hunt roundball if its a viable option.

So my question basically is, 1) will the Lyman GPR work well for my intended use, 2) which caliber would be better, 50 or 54 and 3) can I use round ball at those distances or would conical be a better choice?


Thanks in advance for the information

The Lyman Great Plains Rifle has a 1-60 twist and will be an excellent patch and ball rifle. I personally would suggest the .54 caliber. The .54 caliber has more knock down, and seems to have better long range abilities then the .50. Not that the .50 caliber is not a great rifle and will do the job, but the .54 will do the same as the .50 caliber and better. Also in the future, should you get an urge to hunt something bigger like an elk, you're all set for that as well. That's a great choice for a rifle. When you order one, also order a new stainless steel nipple at the same time, and save yourself some headaches. For some reason the factory ones seem to act up.

The manual suggests you shoot a .535 roundball. I shoot the .535 from my Lyman Trade Rifle. You can also shoot .530 roundball. Both of them should and do work real well.

[frontier gander]

get the .54 in either percussion or flintlock " FL is my favorite."
Patched round ball driven by 90 - 100 grains of powder will take darn near anything that comes up in your rifles sights.

[Sharp Shooter]

Go with the 54cal. It is probably the best caliber in Traditional rifles. There is no need for conicals because that 54cal roundball will kill almost anything in North America. I think the twist is 1:66" so conicals might not work very well. Have fun with it and good luck.