I just purchased a used Great Plains Hunter that's in really good shape. I decided to go with the Hunter because of the faster twist rate (1:28).

So, before I start buying a lot of different conicals to find out which shoots best from this gun, I thought I 'd start here and see if anyone has experience with this rifle and maybe some advice as to which type conical shoots best from this gun. Also, how much powder works best with each type bullet, Etc..

I don't mind doing all this work myself, but it's always easier to ask around and build on the experience from others.

Dosen't the Lyman Great Plains Hunter have a 1-32 instead of a 1-28 twist? A friend of mine that I hunt with uses a .54 caliber GPH and all he shoots out of it are the Hornady Great Plains Conicals. I think he uses 90 grains of powder. It has a lot of thump because I've seen some of the deer he's hit with that minnie cannon.

So I would start with some Great Plains Conicals, some Lyman Conicals (anything but the Lyman Shockers.. the are junk!) and some T/C Maxi ball. You might also want to try some R.E.A.L. conicals.

I've been shooting my CVA Stalker Carbine with a 1-32 twist and so far 80 grains of Goex 2f, a lubed wonder wad, and a maxi ball and the accuracy is outstanding. Good luck with your rifle. Lyman makes a great one.

Your right, it does have the 1:32 twist. Don't know where I got the 1:28 from. Anyway, good info and I appreciate the help.

How well does this gun shoot round balls? does the faster twist rate make that much difference?

I do not remember my friend shooting roundballs for fun. When he is goofing around he shoots R.E.A.L. conicals. I would think if you kept the powder charge low enough that the patch and ball would not skip the rifling, like some of the fast twist 1-28 rifles, accuracy should be good. All you can do is try.

What about sabots? any idea how well these would shoot?

Also, with the conicals, is it necessary to apply some lube to the bullets? I've noticed that some come pre-lubed and some don't?

I've no idea if they would shoot sabots but I see no reason why not. Many people are able to find sabots that a 1-48 twist will shoot, so a 1-32 should do a better job then those 1-48 twist rifles. Iwould suggest something like a T/C Cheap shot would be a good place to start with about 80 grains of powder. You might have to do some searching to find the best combination.

If the conical is not lubed you do need to apply a bore butter type lube to the outside of them. Also a bore button or wonder wad will also help you regulate the barrel pressures in many cases and improve your accuracy with conicals. Some rifles like wonder wads or bore buttons, and some don't. Again, a lot of this will be trial and error to see what your rifle likes.

Also since this is a cap lock, you are not regulated to the use of black powder only. Many cap lock shooter use Triple Se7en, APP, Pinnacle, and Pyrodex. I would suggest getting a hot shot nipple for the rifle to increase the amount of flame into the breech.

Thanks! lot of good info here.

I have a system one with the 1-38 twist it wi shoot almost as accurate with round ball as with sabot it likes 90 ge FFF or P or 80 of APP so I would try about 60 with 1-32. Lee

I read somewhere that when using the hotter caps, the "explosion" from the cap will actually advance the powder charge and bullet a short distance b/f the powder is actually ignited. This prevents the next load from being seated firmly against the breach, causing accuracy problems and other issues.

Does this only apply to pelletized powder or am I completely off on this?

This "occurrence" you have heard about is related to the use of the 209 primers in the modern inlines more so then when using a #11 cap. There is speculaton that in some cases, the ignition of the 209 primer has so much force in and of itself that there is a possibility it moves the powder charge and projectile off the breech plug. I feel there isno need worry about any of that with #11 caps.