i am in the process of choosing my first BP rifle. i have it narrowed down the the tradions hawken woodsman and the lyman gpr. the woodsman is 28" barrel .50 cal 1:48 twist. the gpr is 32" barrel .50 cal 1:60 twist. i like the gpr the best but the problem is i cant find it in the 1:48 twist. i will be hunting deer with the rifle here in south dakota. i will be shooting open sights so shots will be 100 yards or less. i understand with the 48 twist i can use round ball or bullets and with the 60 twist i can only use balls. so i am asking will balls be good for hunting if my shots are 100 yards or less? and if i decide to go elk or black bear hunting will balls still be good enough?
traditions hawken or lyman GPR?
- Thread starter sdhunter
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arcticap
Member
For starters, the .50 round ball won't be as lethal for bear and elk, especially at longer distances. The .54 is the better ball for larger game, and probably for larger deer too.
Lyman does make the Trade rifle with a 1 in 48" twist, 28" barrel, single trigger with fixed sights in both .50 & .54.
The Midsouth photos show it with the hunter peep sights which aren't standard or included at that price listed:
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156032126
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156032125
Traditions still has their laminate/nickeled Hawken Woodsman on special for $284:
http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/p...d=135&osCsid=367838d134a4e21258d32d47f2038bbc
The 1 in 48" is generally good enough for stabiilizing some conicals & saboted bullets, but even then there could be some trial and error finding the right one to use. The Hawken has adjustable sights for sighting in a variety of loads, but also has a double trigger which some folks don't like as much for hunting in cold weather with gloves on for instance.
Lyman does make the Trade rifle with a 1 in 48" twist, 28" barrel, single trigger with fixed sights in both .50 & .54.
The Midsouth photos show it with the hunter peep sights which aren't standard or included at that price listed:
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156032126
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156032125
Traditions still has their laminate/nickeled Hawken Woodsman on special for $284:
http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/p...d=135&osCsid=367838d134a4e21258d32d47f2038bbc
The 1 in 48" is generally good enough for stabiilizing some conicals & saboted bullets, but even then there could be some trial and error finding the right one to use. The Hawken has adjustable sights for sighting in a variety of loads, but also has a double trigger which some folks don't like as much for hunting in cold weather with gloves on for instance.
Prairie Dawg
Member
If you plan on shooting elk or bear, I would use a 54 caliber.
Lyman GPR Hunter model has a 1 in 32" rate of twist for using big heavy conicals.
You can then buy a round ball barrel if you decide you want to shoot round balls.
Round balls would be adequate for shots of 100 yards or less on deer-sized game.
But if you are serious about bear & elk, I would go with a .54.
Lyman GPR is a better rifle than the Traditions.
1 in 48" is a compromise twist.
Light loads with round balls -- heavy loads usually strip the rifling.
Not the best twist for conicals either.
--Dawg
Lyman GPR Hunter model has a 1 in 32" rate of twist for using big heavy conicals.
You can then buy a round ball barrel if you decide you want to shoot round balls.
Round balls would be adequate for shots of 100 yards or less on deer-sized game.
But if you are serious about bear & elk, I would go with a .54.
Lyman GPR is a better rifle than the Traditions.
1 in 48" is a compromise twist.
Light loads with round balls -- heavy loads usually strip the rifling.
Not the best twist for conicals either.
--Dawg
david58
Member
Good Choice!
You are making a good choice! The Lyman is a significant step up from the Traditions.
Very versatile caliber, authentic styling on the rifle, and you can use holy black powder and roundball!
You are making a good choice! The Lyman is a significant step up from the Traditions.
Very versatile caliber, authentic styling on the rifle, and you can use holy black powder and roundball!
frontiergander
Member
i have a GPR for sale if you are interested. Its a 1:60 twist .54
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