The wife of a coworker of mine gave me her late husband's 1970's vintage Lyman "Plainsman" muzzle loader. It looks to be in excellent shape. In fact it looks dang near brand new. All the experience I have is with in-lines.

This is a 54 cal., 1:60 twist. She included some accessories. I am looking for advice on loads for this rifle, hints on how to best clean, effective range for hunting white tail deer mostly. And I plan on doing some fun range shooting. Thanks.

Can you post a picture or two of that rifle.... I can't remember what they looked like??? Is it flint or percussion? It's definitely a round ball shooter with that 1:60 twist. Further, you will have no problem finding all the info you need here and from the most reliable of sources.

BPS

Being a Lyman, if its like my four... they can take a bigger ball so you can shoot the .530 or .535 obly the patch might be different. I shoot both depending on what box I grab and they both shoot excellent. 90 grains of 2f is my .54 caliber's magic number, and a patched round ball.

Cleaning is easy.. remove the pins and just water bath it. Sometimes you have to swab between shots so if loading gets hard, just swab the bore of the rifle before reloading.

Does it say Plainsman, or Great Plains Rifle on the barrel?

It would be a great plains rifle i would imagine and if from the 70s it should be a 1:66 instead of 1:60 like they are nowdays .

is it a flintlock or percussion. If its a flinter, I would be interested it you plan on selling it. My friend has been looking for a .54 flintlock round ball shooter for a while now but can't locate any.

HMMM.... not so sure about that 1874. I don't believe the "Great Plains" rifle was in production yet in the 70's. The name "Plainsman" rings a bell... but I can't remember what they looked like.

BPS

The GPR came out in 1979 . I remember because i bought a kit that year and it was my first blackpowder gun . Maybe there was a plainsman but im not familiar with it .

1874...

I believe what they called the "Plainsman" rifle looked very similar to a Hawken style with a large (and a bit elaborate) patchbox and had brass furniture, but not like the "Trade rifle" with no patchbox but with brass furniture. I've found pics but had trouble posting them.

BPS

Mojotex,

Does it look like this???

http://picturearchive.gunauction.com...37748b14ac.jpg

Or this?

https://s.yimg.com/fz/api/res/1.2/0F...523/523082.jpg

BPS