data for lyman plains pistol

[mothernatureson]

Just purchased a Lyman Plains Pistol. Will use as a back up for Iowa's ml deer hunt. The manual suggests loads, but nothing on velocity or energy. Anyone out there have any idea? I'm supposing 800-900 fps with a .490 round ball. By the way, this is a very well made firearm and shoots very well. Thanks. Peace,
mothernatureson

 

[mothernatureson]

plains pistol load

I forgot to mention, the max load listed for the Plains Pistol is 40gr 3f, that's where I was estimating 800-900 fps. Peace,
mothernatureson

 

[scotjute]

I put one together last fall and have shot it a few times. The accuracy on this thing is absolutely amazing. So far my best accuracy has come with 30 grains of FFF. Only my Ruger Security Six shoots better than this pistol. I did make some interpolations and came up with velocities for this pistol but will have to look for the data this weekend and get back to you Monday/Tues. Perhaps someone else will chime in before then.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I've been hesistant to chime in but I have one and its shoots well. It's been over two years since I shot it and I suspect I used a light 20-30 gr FFF powder with a patched .490 ball. I don't recall the patch thickness I was using at the time.

 

[mothernatureson]

lyman plains pistol

thanks for replying, was just curious if anyone had any ballistic data on this firearm. It is a nice gun that I will enjoy shooting.
mothernatureson

 

[4v50 Gary]

Lemme see if I can find my Lyman's BP handbook.

 

[4v50 Gary]

From the Gun Digest Black Powder Loading Manual

Lyman Plains Pistol
Caliber: 54
Rate of twist: 1:8"
Depth of groove: .0095"
Projectile: .530" 225 gr. Denver Bullet Co. round ball
Powder: GOI
patch: .013" pure linen
Luge: RIG
Ignition: CCI No. 11
Powder Measure: Uncle Mike 120

Vol wt mv me vel energy (50 yds)
30 FFFg 30.9 860 370 753 283
40 FFFg 41.2 952 453 819 335
30 FFg 29.6 743 258 650 211
40 FFg 39.5 856 366 749 280
50 FFg 49.5 926 429 803 322

Sorry, but there's no listing for the 50 caliber Lyman GP pistol. However, there are 50 cals listed.

Kennedy English Dueler (9" 1:29" twist, .010" groove, .490 ball & .012" patch)

30 FFFg 31.1 776 237 677 180
30 p 22.3 712 119 622 152 Pyrodex

Kennedy Kentucky Pistol (9" 1:29" twist, .010" groove, .490 ball & .012" patch)

30 FFFg 31.1 781 240 683 183
30 P 22.1 751 222 655 169 Pyrodex

 

[mothernatureson]

plains pistol load

thanks gary, and others. gives me a good idea of ballistics, i have been having fun shooting it. I have found that the fired patches have been cut by the rifling, I wonder how much shooting would be involved to smooth the rifling some. I'm afraid if I tried lapping the barrell myself, I may do some damage. Any ideas? Sorry, if I ask alot of questions. thanks,
mothernatureson

 

[4v50 Gary]

Before playing with the bore, how about a slightly thinner patch? Try the cheaper solution first before attempting major surgery. Cheap stuff is easy to do, major stuff is hard to undo.

 

[mothernatureson]

plains pistol

if anything , my patch is too thin for the load. It's definitely a rough bore, i was just wondering how many shots it may take to smooth it up a bit. The accuracy is decent enough for a pistol, and I could live with it. I would think a slightly tighter patch/ball combo may improve the condition. That's the beauty of blackpowder, all the range time! thanks
mothernatureson