help advise on two muzzeloaders

Status
Not open for further replies.
I have a Lyman Plains Rifle in .54 caliber and it is very accurate as well as easy to care for. I have not owned any Thompson Center weapons so I am not able to offer an opinion on them.
 
Two different animals:

The T/C Impact is a modern In-Line rifle that is a 'muzzleloader' in name only.
The Lyman is a traditional sidelock muzzleloader of a design unchange since the 1820s -- for the simple reason that it works.

Me? I have four different sidelocks, a couple of flintlocks... and wouldn't have an In-Line in the house.
:fire:
(So I'm not a fair/unbiased judge) :D
 
My TC has never done me wrong, but it's not an inline. They leave me cold, is all. Either of the rifles you list would be a good choice; the question is what features you want on your rifle.
 
Bear in mind that a Lyman Deerstalker has a 1 in 48" twist. It is a compromise twist for both RB and conicals.

The Lyman Great Plains referenced above is a RB rifle with a 1 in 60" twist.

The T/C Impact has a 1 in 28" twist, suitable for conicals and saboted bullets

The greater question is what do you want the rifle for, and will it suit your needs.
For example, if you want to hunt deer with it, either will be suitable.
If you want to re-enact (Rondyvoos & such), neither is really suitable, if you care about authenticity at all.
If you want a scoped ML rifle, the T/C is the best choice.

Both are well-made and will suit you for many years.
--Dawg
 
I own 6 muzzleloading rifles, one is an inline. I never use it anymore. The inline's factory-recommended bullet/sabot combo used a HP pistol bullet that shattered a deer's shoulder and didn't penetrate to the vitals. After that fiasco I went back to tried and true, a Hawken with either patched round balls or maxi-balls.

I realize I could use a different bullet/sabot combo for the inline but hunting with it felt like cheating to me.
 
The deerstalker is a small, compact gun. It's great to pass on to the younger generation. We had only one at Adventure Camp and we always reserved it for the smallest shooters.
 
I started on inline, got right with the Lord and converted to traditional. I haven't noticed anything much different between caplock and inline other than the amount of hype an inline gets.
 
Like Praire Dawg said if you want to scope it , the inline .

If you want ease of loading and cleaning , the inline .

I have a CVA Accura inline and a TC Hawken & Renegade . I hunt with the inline because I fell the scope gives me an advantage , especially early in the morning and late in the day .

It does fell like cheating a little bit too me using a inline during muzzleloader season though , using a scope , substitute black powder and sabot bullets .
 
You can scope the Lyman with a traditional Malcolm style scope.

I have a Deerstalker and love it. I don't care for in lines too much.
 
1 in 48" twist. It is a compromise twist for both RB and conicals
Click to expand...

That's an old myth. The 1:48 twist was quite common and quite popular long before the conical bullets were used. With antique style rifling it can give one problems with stout powder loads when using a patched round ball, but since we're not talking about shooting actual period produced antiques, the modern barrels shooting that twist rate do quite well with hunting loads capable of taking deer, elk, or moose.

LD
 
A muzzleloader is a muzzleloader.
Traditional or inline, does not matter.
Type of action does not define a muzzleloader.
Ignition source does not define a muzzleloader.

Easier to mount a scope on a inline. Better choice of protective coating. Easier to clean. Can use any of the substitute powders available (there are some exceptions). Prefers sabot type bullets.

Traditional style rifles look cool. Won't get wierd looks if you show up at a reenactment with one. Harder to clean. Bluing or browning only protective coatings (seen a camo coated plastic stock sidelock, was too blinded to see what protective coat was underneath). Don't even try to use substitute powder designed for 209 primers. Prefers round ball and conicals.

All boils down to what you want out of your new muzzleloader. Either will be a good choice.
 
A muzzleloader is a muzzleloader.
Traditional or inline, does not matter.
Click to expand...
Oh Lord.
Night & day.....

Come to a muzzleloading silhouette match someday and tell that to the guys (and a few gals) on line. ;) :rolleyes:
 
A muzzle loader is a muzzle loader
Click to expand...

Functionally they are alike. However, with respects to aesthetics, charm and historical appeal the inlines don't hold any appeal for me. With respects to accuracy, I bet a muzzle loader slug gun can outshoot any inline.
 
Thompson Center knows how to make a firearm and that Impact looks pretty nice and it is at a great price. I really like the Triumph of their current line up but don't own one. I do own a TC Hawken and a TC Contender with a black powder barrel, both of which are great.

Out of the two guns that you have in your op, I would pick the Thompson Center myself.
 
I have an Impact with a Leupold scope on it. 100gr of 777 and a 250gr Hornady polymer tip sst bullet (or TC Shockwave) and you have yourself a no questions deer getter. When muzzle season starts in Virginia, I start with the TC Impact. Once I get a deer (or two), I bring out my old TC Hawken or my Traditions Deerhunter flintlock. So, while I've been shooting sidelocks since I was 16, I still get the inline out when I'm serious.
 
It boils down to why do you want a muzzleloader. If the only reason is so that you can hunt during muzzleloader season then buy an inline. If you are interested in the history and antiquated charm then you will want a traditional cap or flint lock.
 
thanks guys well I've been using the traditional type for years but my dad has a inline and really recommends it! but I like the looks of the lyman deer stalker and I love 54c. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top