Lyman great plains rifle (54 caliber)
- Thread starter cpt-t
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cpt-t
Member
Well as You can see I can`t spell worth a hoot but to leave the (( D )) out of POWDER. Is streching things quite a bit. And with out the d it does give it a whole different meaning. As far a changing over to a Flintlock or buying one I will have to wait on that for a while. But I did find one of the guys from the Gun Club that is going to try to mentor me on how to make my rifle and all the stuff in thoes two Possible Bags my friend gave me work. I hope the two of us can get out to the range so I can shoot my rifle Wed or Thru of this week. If the weather will cooperate, hopely I will have some idea as to how to shoot my new rifle and how to use all the stuff in the Possible Bags. By the end of this weekend. I sure hope my new rifle shoots as well as the group that was sent in the picture. I have a feeling, I am really going to enjoy shooting with The Black Powder Shooters in the Gun Club I belong to. Thanks again for all your comments and ansewers to my questions. I kinda feel at home already.
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Armored farmer
Member
I was only joking about the powDer thing. You are among friends here and we truly enjoy talking guns and gear. Feel free to ask away. The main thing for the 'new guy' to remember is...be safe. Oddly enough that is more difficult with a muzzleloader than it is with an AR15, or any other cartridge gun. imho.
Good luck with your new rifle.
Good luck with your new rifle.
Crawdad1
Member
You know what the problem is with those pics Palehorsemen? There's just way too many 'the late" in front of those fellers names.
How time goes by.
How time goes by.
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loose noose
Member
Naw Iggy my GPR, is a flintlock, I do believe I put some photos of the finished project on the internet. In fact shortly after I completed that I got another kit in Flintlock also but in a pistol. I do believe I provided some photos of that one also. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I simply meant I too had a GPR that I really enjoy.
mdauben
Member
Hawken was the name of a smith or shop (in St. Louis IIRC) that made heavy barreled, half-stock muzzle loaders that were popular with the fur traders and western hunters. They were not the only ones to make that style of gun, however. These days "Hawken" has become synonomus with these style of rifles, but calling it a "Great Plains Rifle" doesn't make it any different.
Probably hunting accuracty out to 100 yards or so. Maybe more.
I think Lyman makes a good reproduction muzzleloader for the money (these run around $500-600 new). Its not as good as a $1000-2000 semi-custom rifle but with care it should provide decades of reliable service.
The Lyman GPR has a slow twist barrel, which is better suited to round balls. Conical bullets, mini balls, maxi balls etc. tend to work better in faster twist barrels. Using bullets in your gun won't damage it, but it probably won't give you the best accuracty.
cpt-t
Member
Well I have met my mentor for Black Power Shooting. He belongs to the same Gun Club I do and has been building both Cap & Ball and Flint Guns for over 40 years. He sure has some unique and just drop dead breath taking Rifles and Pistols He has made over the years. Any way I spent the better part of two days at His house down in His shop listening and watching. If ever thing goes right we are planing on going out to our Gun Clubs range tomorrow. Any way that is the plan right now. I have been calling and keeping my Old Friend that gave me the rifle and other stuff, informed and He seems to be enjoying this as much as I am. So I hope to beable to call him tomorrow evening and give him a progress report on how well His Old Rifle is shooting for me. I just have a feeling I am going to really like shooting this rifle and just being around the guys and gals that shoot them also. I think this is going to be a (( STORY TELLING BUNCH )) I would like that. Thanks again for all your info and help, and I would be glad to hear anything else You would care to tell me.
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cpt-t
Member
Hey Guys just an up date. I got to shoot my new rifle today and am really impressed, I think I have a shooter. I shot it about dozen times befor I had to go home. And I will tell you that I did the for get to put the powder in and had to use the ball remover to get it out. I just can`t belive I did that. And I was trying to be so carefull. We had a great time. When I got home I got to experience another first, cleaning a Black Powder rifle. It took me for ever, but I guess I will get quicker. I only shot at 25 yds the wind was really howling to day, but like I said we had a great time.
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Crawdad1
Member
That great news Ken, you'll get that cleaning part down!!!
But you're finding out that Lyman's Great Plains Rifle can shoot.
But you're finding out that Lyman's Great Plains Rifle can shoot.
loose noose
Member
Cpt., you might try using equal parts of rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and Murphy's Soap Oil, and lather that bore up real good and then use some clean cloth patches and dry it out real well, should only take a few patches, and that bore should shine like all get up. I've used that concoction for quite few years, and I can tell ya you won't find any rust or dirt in any of my smoke poles.
Armored farmer
Member
Naw...none of us has EVER forgotten to put the POWDER in...huh-uh jeez. Who ever heard of such a thing!
Not me. nope. Right guys??
well maybe a few times.
I never cleaned my rifle in Mrs kb's bathtub either.
Not me. nope. Right guys??
well maybe a few times.
I never cleaned my rifle in Mrs kb's bathtub either.
cpt-t
Member
loose noose: Your cleaning combination is just exactily the cleaning mixture the guy that is helping me told me to use. And I am using it and have a bottle mixed up for futher use. It took a few clean patches to get all the the black nasty stuff out of the barrel. Then I used a couple of clean patches that I put oil on and tried to coat the inside of the barrel real well. Not being able to see stright thru the barrel is going to be hard to get use to. Like I said The wind was blowing 900 mph and only shot at 25 yds, that range had a little bit of a wind break. The first 5 or 6 shots were about the size of a soft ball off hand. Then we started trying to hit peices of clay birds lay on the 25 yd brim. I used 80 grs of FFFg I guess that is a pertty basic starting load. But with this load I was able to hit a few peices of the clay birds on the birm of the 25 yd range. All and all I had a great first day out shooting my new rifle. I think I am really going to like this rifle. Thanks again for all your help and sugestions and any thing else you could tell me would be greatly appereated.
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cpt-t
Member
loose noose: Your cleaning combination is just exactily the cleaning mixture the guy that is helping me told me to use. And I am using it and have a bottle mixed up for futher use. It took a few clean patches to get all the the black nasty stuff out of the barrel. Then I used a couple of clean patches that I put oil on and tried to coat the inside of the barrel real well. Not being able to see stright thru the barrel is going to be hard to get use to. Like I said The wind was blowing 900 mph and only shot at 25 yds, that range had a little bit of a wind break. The first 5 or 6 shots were about the size of a soft ball off hand. Then we started trying to hit peices of clay birds lay on the 25 yd brim. I used 80 grs of FFFg I guess that is a pertty basic starting load. But with this load I was able to hit a few peices of the clay birds on the birm of the 25 yd range. All and all I had a great first day out shooting my new rifle. I think I am really going to like this rifle. Thanks again for all your help and sugestions and any thing else you could tell me would be greatly appereated.
ken
ken
Suggest you start out with about 50 grains of FFg and shoot 5 shot groups. Increase load in 5 grain increments. Groups should tighten up to a certain point, then begin to spread out again.. The tight point is the sweet spot.
You need to experiment with patching too. Find the fired patches. If the edges are frayed,or the patch is shredded, the patch is too thin.
Patch should fit snugly when loaded, but not real tight. When fired, it should remain essentially intact and have a discolored center from burning powder and may have traces of the rifling engraved in the patch.
If you want the best accuracy attainable w/a patched round ball, and you want the simplest, most expedient, and economical patching system there is, for a muzzleloader, here's what ya do:
1. Use only pure linen w/the simplest 90' weave, .010'' to .015'' thick, depending on the OD of the ball(s) used. Use a micrometer to determine the linen thickness. Buy it by the yard, cut it into 1.5'' to 1.75'' wide, long strips, lube it w/your favorite lube, and roll it up tite.
2. Unroll a short section of the linen strip, lay it across the muzzle, the same direction every load, and start the ball into the bore, over the linen. When the ball is below the surface of the muzzle, gather up the linen over/around the ball, like a pouch, and cut the linen off, w/a very sharp patch knife, flush w/the surface of the muzzle. This will leave a round hole in the linen strip coming off the roll, and will center the ball in the patch every time. Finish loading the patched ball.
The old timers said you have to learn your gun if you're gonna make meat every time.
Thus the old saying, beware of the man with only one gun, he probably knows how to use it.
Have fun.
You need to experiment with patching too. Find the fired patches. If the edges are frayed,or the patch is shredded, the patch is too thin.
Patch should fit snugly when loaded, but not real tight. When fired, it should remain essentially intact and have a discolored center from burning powder and may have traces of the rifling engraved in the patch.
If you want the best accuracy attainable w/a patched round ball, and you want the simplest, most expedient, and economical patching system there is, for a muzzleloader, here's what ya do:
1. Use only pure linen w/the simplest 90' weave, .010'' to .015'' thick, depending on the OD of the ball(s) used. Use a micrometer to determine the linen thickness. Buy it by the yard, cut it into 1.5'' to 1.75'' wide, long strips, lube it w/your favorite lube, and roll it up tite.
2. Unroll a short section of the linen strip, lay it across the muzzle, the same direction every load, and start the ball into the bore, over the linen. When the ball is below the surface of the muzzle, gather up the linen over/around the ball, like a pouch, and cut the linen off, w/a very sharp patch knife, flush w/the surface of the muzzle. This will leave a round hole in the linen strip coming off the roll, and will center the ball in the patch every time. Finish loading the patched ball.
The old timers said you have to learn your gun if you're gonna make meat every time.
Thus the old saying, beware of the man with only one gun, he probably knows how to use it.
Have fun.
greywolf444
Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2008
- Messages
- 32
I used a 54 Great Plains as my main rifle for nearly 20 yrs. That is one gun I will never sell. Did the whole primitive thing. Even hunted the modern seasons in buckskins, mocs, and tipi. Didn't seem to be undergunned. Made meat most years.
I remember encountering two young 'hunters' dressed in every peice of black nylon available from the cheaper than dirt catalog. Carrying AK's. I was in bleechclout, leggins, mocs. Long rifle, belt pistol, hawk. A big capote. I have to assume they were thinking 'look at this guy. no way he can hunt like that.' I thought the same thing. Killed a buck stalking later that day.
I remember encountering two young 'hunters' dressed in every peice of black nylon available from the cheaper than dirt catalog. Carrying AK's. I was in bleechclout, leggins, mocs. Long rifle, belt pistol, hawk. A big capote. I have to assume they were thinking 'look at this guy. no way he can hunt like that.' I thought the same thing. Killed a buck stalking later that day.
Crawdad1
Member
Me nether, never heard of such a thing.
:banghead: cpt-t
Member
UP DATE: I was planning on going out to the range and shoot my new 54 caliber Lyman GPR today but my Wife got to not feeling very well so I thought I had better stick around the house to day. I am planing on try to get out the range tomorrow afternoon, if She is feeling better. Plus Her Sister may be here and I will feel better about leaving Her for very long. I have sit and polished the stock with wood wax and rubbed oil into the Barrel and other metal parts of and on my rifle all day. And it is getting to feel really natural just carrying it around the house all day. I am guilty of doing the same with my 45/70 Pedersoile Sharps. But what the heck, the Wife is in bed and I am at the house by my self. It is Just me and the dogs and they won`t tell or make fun of me, for I am in charge of the Dog Food. I really enjoy listening and talking to You Guys. Thanks again for including me.
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Palehorseman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 736
You are right, and since last update of the site, there are now even more. Many have gone under, and as I will turn 75 in a couple of months, know the sands of time waits for no one.
Crawdad1
Member
Ain't that the truth
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cpt-t
Member
Well I been down with the croop, for a couple of days. But I have a few more questions for you guys if you don`t mind. I saw a gaget in the Cabelas Catalog, that removes a ball and patch from a Black Power Rifle using thoes little compressed air cylinders that you put in Air Guns. Do they work? Also it appears the very tip of my Ram Rod appears to have a crack in it. The Guy that is helping me learn to shoot my rifle says he will make me a new one today if possible. But do I need to buy a metal or fiberglass Ram Rod instead of a new wooden one. Cabelas has some that fit under the barrel that they say is just like my old wooden Ram Rod, or they have some they call a Range Ram Rod that I would just have to carry seperatly. What do You Guys think on that. Also what about using Bore Butter on my Rifle and on the round ball patches, I will be using. Sorry for being a pain in the butt with all the questions. Thanks in advance for all Your help.
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Armored farmer
Member
cpt-t
I will answer to my best ability.
As to the ramrod:
I use an unbreakable rod that fits the thimbles under the barrel. I have snapped a wooden rod trying to reload in a hurry while hunting. That is bad...real bad. It pretty much ends your hunt when you have a ball part-way down the tube. Unbreakable replacement rods have good threaded ends to screw on bullet pullers, cleaning jags, patch worms, etc.
A nice sturdy range rod with a "T" handle is nice when shooting off the bench or for cleaning or the occasional 'ball pulling' party.>>screw ball pulling jag into stuck ball, stand on T-handle and pull rifle up with authority thus pulling ball from the barrel.
I have seen the compressed air ball discharger used. They work fine if you have a good fresh co2 cartridge. I have never used one despite having "dryballed" several times. I guess I prefer having the tools necessary to pull the ball manually.
Bore butter is a fine product. I use it too. It is good to prevent rust as well as lube patches. Don't overdo the patch lube though, it doesn't take much. Excessive lube can neutralize some of your powder if you have a big glob on your patch. Some guys, me included, just pop the patch in their mouth while measuring powder, then use the 'spit-patch' under the ball. This seems to work as good as anything both for accuracy and fouling. Besides, I think it develops and stimulates your immune system by putting that dirty ol' patch material that has been rollin' around in your shootin' bag for months... in your mouth.
I will answer to my best ability.
As to the ramrod:
I use an unbreakable rod that fits the thimbles under the barrel. I have snapped a wooden rod trying to reload in a hurry while hunting. That is bad...real bad. It pretty much ends your hunt when you have a ball part-way down the tube. Unbreakable replacement rods have good threaded ends to screw on bullet pullers, cleaning jags, patch worms, etc.
A nice sturdy range rod with a "T" handle is nice when shooting off the bench or for cleaning or the occasional 'ball pulling' party.>>screw ball pulling jag into stuck ball, stand on T-handle and pull rifle up with authority thus pulling ball from the barrel.
I have seen the compressed air ball discharger used. They work fine if you have a good fresh co2 cartridge. I have never used one despite having "dryballed" several times. I guess I prefer having the tools necessary to pull the ball manually.
Bore butter is a fine product. I use it too. It is good to prevent rust as well as lube patches. Don't overdo the patch lube though, it doesn't take much. Excessive lube can neutralize some of your powder if you have a big glob on your patch. Some guys, me included, just pop the patch in their mouth while measuring powder, then use the 'spit-patch' under the ball. This seems to work as good as anything both for accuracy and fouling. Besides, I think it develops and stimulates your immune system by putting that dirty ol' patch material that has been rollin' around in your shootin' bag for months... in your mouth.
loose noose
Member
What Kbailey said, I know you can find a decent fiber glass ram rod that will fit your ferrules in MidSouth Shooters Supply. The only time I use the wooden ram rod is when I have it on display, or I would get a good hickory rod, from my hardware store and remount the brass hardware on it. Most of the BP Rifles come with a regular wooden dowel made of a soft wood simply for looks.
cpt-t
Member
Well guys I am sorry about being out of pocket for so long but my computer just up and died. I finally got a new one and hooked up and I am back finally. The continuing saga is this. I practed till I thought I was ready to go to my first match, I got where I was really proud of my self shooting off hand and getting where I could hit where I was aming and different ranges. And I thought I was ready to go shoot with the big boys at out Gun Clubs monthly Black Power Shoot. Well I was all decked out with my big Coyote Skin Hat on and when I steped to the line. I was sure I just couldn`t miss a target that big at that close a range. But was I ever wroung, the Man upstairs just decided to take me down a knoch or two. And I missed, I have no idead where the shot went, but it darn sure didn`t hit the steel plate. Now to make it worse I start to reload, all the while my (( GOOD FRIENDS )) were rawhiding me like a Red Headed Stepchild. I put the power in and then tried to seat a patch and ball. And it Wouldn`t go, and the rawhiding was getting worse. One of the guys finally told me I was using to many patches. Instead of one patch I had two and it would not go down the barrel. I pull the ball and tried to peal off the extra patch and then I let the ball slip from my fingers and it fell down the barrel with out a patch. Well I tried to shake the ball and powder out but the wind was blowing so hard I couldn`t see it when they did fall out. I finally got going again but the match was about 1/2 over and I was so nervous and ticked off at my self I didn`t a single target. But I will get even with thoes friends on mine, for next month I am planning on sicking a dozen Rabid Sunks on them. I think I am really going to like this Black Powder shooting.
ken
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