Which rifle for 1st BP experience?

[cadjak]

I have a chance to pick up either a used Lyman Great Plains 54 cal percussion or a used Thompson Center Hawken .54 percussion. Assuming the price and condition are the same, what are the opinions of both these rifles. The only use I am considering is to get my feet wet in the black powder world. I like the history involved in the era. Targets, yes. Hunting, not at first.
Thanks,
-cadjak

 

[4v50 Gary]

Both are good guns. I'll take the Lyman though because it's closer to the trade gun.

 

[smokemaker]

I have a GPR in .54 caplock so I'm biased, but both rifles are excellent. 4v50 Gary is right, the GPR is more historically accurate, or rather, it is really more a "Hawken" than the T/C Hawken is. By that I mean it is plainer, less dressed up with only iron furniture and no patch box and such. But a great looker and shooter to be sure.

 

[cadjak]

The Lyman appeals to me because it is closer to what I think a black powder rifle should look like. The TC is a little overdressed. I was just wondering if there was some great difference in quality or accuracy.
Thanks,
-cadjak

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Assuming both are in more or less equal condition, I'd go with the Lyman GPR. It's more authentic and is a very accurate rifle. I had one with a flintlock. I intend to replace it with a caplock version one of these days.

I used swaged .530 roundballs, pillow ticking patches, Ox-Yoke Wonder Lube, and 90 grains of FFg. I was able to keep them all in the black offhand at 50 yards on an SR-1 target -- and I'm not that great with a flinchlock due to the l o n g locktime.

Note that the GPR has a roundball twist, 1 in 60" or so. IIRC, the T/C has a 1 in 48" twist, which is better suited for conicals than roundballs.

 

[hillbilly]

I know you said you wanted "history."

But, at all the area Wal-Marts where I live, there are .50 caliber Connecticut Valley Arms Bobcat rifles, with black synthetic stocks, for the low, low price of $54.

That's $54, as in fifty four, brand new, out the door, for a percussion cap rifle.

Talk about a low risk way to get into black powder shooting for the first time.

hillbilly

 

[Crownvicman]

Sorry, posted in the wrong place and I can't delete it. So I'm leaving this silly message.

 

[Perfesser]

Look VERY carefully at the condition of the barrel; a lot of 'slightly used' muzzleloaders will be rusted or pitted because they weren't cleaned. As the gang here will tell you, BP (and Pyrodex) are highly corrosive.
You might even find it loaded or a ball driven down the barrel without powder. I built a 'lightning rod' out of brass tubing from a hobby shop, a small light bulb from Radio shack, and some wire; you can run the light all the way down to the breech and inspect the bore.