lyman deerstalker question
 

my wife just got me a lyman deerstalker for my birthday. i was planning on getting a traditions, but am sticking with the gift. my question is, does anyone have any experience with this model? best loads? powebelt, sabots or balls? any input would be appreciated

RE: lyman deerstalker question
 

the deerstalker is a great rifle. I own a traditions as well and the deerstalker, IMO the lyman is a much better built rifle. As you will read in various posts, every rifle is different for what it likes to shoot. Mine shoots RB just fine and I also like powerbelts as they load easily. With the RB I started out with 60 gr of BP and worked out a good load from there. I think it likes 75 gr of BP the best, shooting RB. I only shoot out to 50 yards as thats all these tired eyes can see and here in the north central PA woods you dont get many shots longer than that anyway. I am a relatively new guy to BP and this is my experience with the rifle. There are a bunch of folks on here that have shot for years and will give you good advice.

RE: lyman deerstalker question
 

Poster Maxiball swears by the Buffalo S.S.B 375 grain in his Deerstalker. Both myself and poster Cayugad use the S.S.Bs... another poster here does also.. but I don't remember his screen name. You can purchase them at Cabelas.com

Click Here To See/Purchase Buffalo Special Sabot Bullet

RE: lyman deerstalker question
 

Don't have experience with the gun but I think it is a step up from the Pa Pellet. A little better quality and probably nicer finish. I would bet that the lock is of higher quality and a nicer trigger pull. From what I have heard, you can't go wrong with Lyman.

RE: lyman deerstalker question
 

Mine shoots very well with .50 PowerBelt 245 and 295 grain hollopoints over 90 grains of Goex 2fg. With the issue open sights I can get 2.5" at 100 yards.
It does real well with r.b. over 50 grains of Goex 2fg, shooting one ragged hole at 25 yards and 1.5" at 50.
Most vertistile carbine I own.

RE: lyman deerstalker question
 

your deerstalker is a fine ml rifle. I own 3 T/C Hawkens a CVA Optima and a Deerstalker. The T/Cs and Lyman are flintlocks. I got the Lyman because it is a left hand model and I really like the feel and the way it shoots. I shoot 100 gr of FFFg and a 245 gr Powerbelt HP.