Guys, I found a good deal on a lyman great plains rifle at the local gun shop. I think this has a slow twist barrel (factory). I was wondering if it would shoot conicals OK - something like maxi hunters or REAL bullets. I'm thinking that accuracy will be better with round balls but need some answers froms someone who has experience shooting these rifles.
The Lyman Great Plains Rifle has a 1-60 twist in the new models. The real older ones had a 1-66 twist. They are a roundball shooter for the most part. You can load them pretty hot, like 90-110 grains of powder and they still shoot true. My friend hunts with a .54 caliber and so far any deer he shot at with a roundball never went anywhere but the freezer.
A ball-et might shoot all right out of the rifle, but that twist is a little slow for conicals.You could also try a minnie ball but again, some will shoot them some will not. One thing to keep in mind, if you can get the rifle reasonable enough. You can purchase a Great Plains Hunter barrel which has a 1-32 twist and they are very good at shooting conicals, even sabots. The barrels range from $99.00 - $129.00 (or used to).