Triple 7 loads in Lyman Great Plains

[wflavin]

Hello, this is my very first post on THR. I've owned a Lyman Great Plains Rifle in 50 cal for many years. Recently I bought a new barrel with a fast twist for using conicals and such. I've used Triple 7 and PowerBelts in my inline rifle for several years with great results. However, the "romance" of the GP rifle has me looking for loads using Triple 7 loose granules for this "new" rifle. I have dozens of different bullets from lead ball-ets to buffalo bullets.
Let the suggestions begin.

 

[Jaymo]

Welcome to THR. I'm afraid I can't be of much help, since I don't yet have a GPR. I have a DGW Tennessee Mtn Rifle, a TC Renegade, TC New Englander, and TC Thunder Hawk.
Do they make the Great Plains Rifle in a left handed version?

 

[wflavin]

GP Rifle in left hand

They sure do. Mine is a left handed version. I really like the options I have with two barrels. I can put the slow twist 1:66 for patched balls and now use conicals with the faster twist.

 

[mykeal]

Your title is a bit misleading. You don't have a Great Plains Rifle, you have a plains style stock with a ? twist barrel, or perhaps we can say 'conical' barrel. Nothing wrong with that, but it's a little hard to understand what 'romance' you're referring to.

In order to get the most out of your conical rounds you'll need to load 70 grains or more 777. Specifically what load will need some testing.

 

[wflavin]

The new barrel has a 1:32 twist. I have an assortment of bullets to "try" in it.
I've got 240gr projectiles called "ballets" which I've had forever. I've got 235gr saboted hollow points. PowerBelts in a couple of weights and finally a number of massive 400gr Buffalo Bullets which I can't even find suggested loads for. My guess is that pressures could get pretty high with bullets that heavy.
I certainly don't need a 400gr bullets to harvest a 120lb whitetail but I'd purchased them years ago for a planned elk hunt that didn't happen. So, I'd be interested in learning about possible loads for them.
Since I posted my question I've done a lot of research and learned a great deal from books I own and online research. However, I'm always interested in hearing of people's experiences and would welcome responses from all parties. Thanks for your response and offer to help.

 

[arcticap]

Sometimes placing a wad or over powder card under a lead conical bullet can improve its performance and sometimes not.
It's a variable to try to evaluate by firing it both ways when working up a conical load.