Blackmountain Magnum or Lyman GPH?

Dakotabowhunter · 12-09-2008, 03:36 PM

Hey guys, I have been thinking of getting another .54 and am debating between these two. Is either one easier to clean? more accurate? Is there any reason you would choose one over the other if the price was the same? any oppinions would be helpfull, thanks.

cayugad · 12-09-2008, 03:49 PM

I have a Black Mountain Magnum but in .50 caliber. The .54 caliber has a 1-38 twist so it should shoot conicals well. Even sabots it should also shoot. It is easy to clean. And had a musket cap ignition. This is one traditional riflethey claim can shoot pellets, but you have to duplex the load.

The Great Plains Hunter is 1-32 twist and should also shoot conicals well. Even sabots. It has a #11 ignition. It should be easy to clean as all traditional rifles are, but the Great Plains Hunter is double wedged.. The Black Mountain Magnum is single wedged.

One's customer service is American, and we know how good Thompson Center's customer service is. The other is Italian. I have only had Lyman send me some screws, but what would happen if the stock split? I know what Thompson center did in the case of my Renegade. What would Lyman do?

I like my Black Mountain Magnum. It is a sweet rifle to shoot. But only you know what you want the most.

mountaineer magic · 12-09-2008, 04:35 PM

I guess I am partial to the Lyman, but that is because I have 2 GP's in 54 cal. Plus the first ML I ever had was a Lyman 54 cal GPR I built from a kit in the early 80's. You can switch barrels between the GPR 1 in 66 twist and the GPH 1 in 32 twist. Lots of flexibilty and both are extremely accurate .I shoot 80 grains 777 with my rbg and 90 gr 777 with a 425 gr, gp conical in my gph. I took a deer at 118 yards with open sights this year.( doe season) It only went 20 yards. This weekend is ML season and my Lyman is all I use. I put my inlines away and use them during rifle season. Lyman has a reputation for accuracy and dependability. Just my opinion. If I ever get another caplock or flintlock it will be the Great Plains Rifle. Hmmm Maybe i do need a 54 cal. flintlock

Semisane · 12-09-2008, 06:29 PM

I'm partial to the GP myself, probably because I own one and am very happy with it. As far a versitility, you can get the GP with a .54 slow twist barrel for shooting balls, and a .50 Hunter barrel for shooting conicals and sabots.

On the other hand, the TC gives you options of walnut or composite stocks and both calibers too, though I don't think a slow twist was available. They also made a Black Mtn. shotgun.I don't know if the rifle and shotgun barrels are interchangable - probably not. The Black Mtn. is no longer made, so actual purchase options may be limited.

Dakotabowhunter · 12-09-2008, 06:31 PM

Thanks for your responses guys. My other 54 is a Cabelas Hawken which is about 20-25yrs old, it shoots ok but itdoes't seem to hold better than a 3inch group at 50yds anymore and the threads for the nipple seem to be getting a little loose, I doubt the nipple would ever come out as it still tightens down. I have two inline rifles Night and Thompsn, but I just like shooting the old sidelock more. I found a brand newBlackmountain Mag on the Web for 300.00 which seems like a good price, or maybe I could just get a GM barrel but they don't show a fast twist barrel in 54 for my gun.