First off, Lyman is a great rifle. Very original in looks, and well made. I have considered getting a GPR with the 1-60 twist in a .54 caliber myself.

If this was my first rifle, and might be a primary rifle, I would go with the T/C rifle, but it would be the Hawkins model. I would take a .54 caliber, and with the 1-48 twist could shoot the round ball or the conical.

I am not one that feels the need to get into the 150 grain rifles. My T/C Renegade will handle 110 grains, and believe me I never shoot that as a hunting load. I shoot around 90 grains, and it has done everything I have asked. The Black Mountain is a 1-28 twist which limits you to conicals and sabots for the most part. Well I like to shoot, and round balls cheaper for shooting and are fine for hunting as you will find out.

The Firestorm is a 1-48 twist but is a flinter if I remember right. I am not into flint locks. It takes people with a special skill to keep them tuned, and my hat is off to those that can. I can not. The T/C Hawkins in percussion is a good shooting hard hitting dependable rifle, that if taken care of would last a life time. I prefer the .54 caliber to the .50. That is just me although I own a .50 caliber also. T/C has a great warranty and they stand behind their products. I am sure Lyman does too, but I like the T/C better. Both are good rifles.