Hey Guys!

I'm new here and currently a strictly bow guy. In fact strictly traditional longbow, but I've been interested in black powder since I was a kid and want to check it out but flintlock if I'm going to do it. My question is in terms of accuracy between guns. Since I'm just starting out I don't want to spend a ton (plus I just bought a new bow). What I want is a pennsylvania long rifle. What I'm looking at is a couple Lymans. The Great Plains, the trader, and the deer hunter. Will I notice a big if any accuracy difference between them? Will a notice a big accuracy difference between a PA Longrifle and these firearms?

Thanks Fellows! Looking forward to getting to know you!
Wayne

Outdoorsman: There are some guys here on this site, shooting flinters with AMAZING accuracy!! They will be helpful, I'm sure.

Welcome - First off the Lymans are generally extremely accurate. The different models come with different twist in the rifling. I may be slightyly off in my rates of twist and the guys here will correct me. But I believe the Great Plains is a 1:70 twist (good for patched round balls), the Trade rifle and deerstalkerhave 1:48 which will shoot both round balls and conicals, and there is also a Great Plains Hunter that has a 1:30 or 1:32 twist for conicals. These are 50 cal.
In the Long rifle, you will more than likely be stuck with a slow twist and using a round ball. Nothing wrong with a ball mind you but with a faster twist barrel you have more options with the conicals.

I have 2 Lymans/ The Great Plains which is a 1 in 60 twist and the great Plains Hunter which is a 1 in 32 twist. My Great Plains round ball gun is as accurate as any gun I have. It is my favorite as far as a traditional gun goes. It shoots round ball and even conicals. I can shoot a T/C maxi ball or Great plains conical or Buffalo ball-et with a wonder wad and it usually hits the hole of the round ball shot. If you are getting the flintlock I would stick with the 1 in 60 twist and definitely a Lyman over any other brand. Just My opinion. Keep in mind that i'm biased because I started out in 1980 with a Lyman I built from a kit. So naturally I'm partial
chet

p.s. It's 9 1/2 pounds You'll know it after dragging it through the woods and up and down hills.

First off welcome to the forum and the sport...

The difference between a Lyman anda PA Long Rifle is also the ease of cleaning. Hooked breech rifles are easier to clean. If you want to shoot roundball then the Lyman Great Plains Rifles is the choice. Although I shoot a Lyman Trade Rifle that has a 1-48 twist and it shoots roundball very accurate. If you want to shoot conicals then the Trade Rifle or the Deerslayer I think it is called.

Some other ones to look at are the Traditions Woodsman Hawkins in 1-48 twist. Check Sportsman's Guide web site for them. Thompson Center also makes good rifles. I would stay away from the pinned breech rifles myself, but others do not mind them at all.

Good luck in your selection.

Able Ammo has the Traditions Woodsman Hawkins for 344. The Lyman trade rifle is available in 50 or 54 cal for 308. Good prices!


http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=15146_15087_15104

I have the Traditions "Woodsman" and it's a great rifle. The double set triggers make it very very very nice to shoot! I've killed three deer with it, two of which were with patched round balls.

Also the Traditions "trapper" pistol makes a nice combo with the "woodsman".

You probably won't notice much difference in accuracy between the different barrel lengths. But one difference betweenmodels is their weight and balance, and the longer barrel does make for a longer and more accurate sighting planwhentakingthose long distance shots.
The traditional PA Rifle barrelisextra long at about 40 inches, and they are known to be extremely accuratebut a lotmore expensive withit's fancy brass patchbox, brass inlays and double triggers.
The next longest gun that ismore economically priced is the .50Traditions Kentucky flintlockwith a33.5 inch barrel. It only has a single trigger, andTraditions locks maynot bethe fastest orbest, butthe Kentucky rifleis one of the mostbalanced models for its lengthand their1 in 66" twist barrel is known to bevery accurate. It still hasa full length stocklike the PA Rifle yet itonly weighs 7 pounds due to its more slender barrel.
Midsouth sells it in flintfor $303.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00139R2010




http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=R2020

What ever rifle ya get in FL, gotta have the double triggers. Like night and day the difference with and without one. Chap

Agreed