Author Topic: Lyman GPR barrels (Read 1553 times)

Batchief909 · « **on:** May 10, 2004, 05:29:48 AM »

Does anybody have drop in barrels for the Great Plains Rifle? I'm wanting to convert my .50 sidelock into a .58 sidelock. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Black Jaque Janaviac · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2004, 05:42:18 AM »

You may be stuck.

The GPRs are 15/16" across the flats. Going to a .58 is gonna make a rather thin barrel, and I don't think anyone offers such. If you do find something/someone it's likely going to be a custom job - not a mass-produced drop-in barrel.

However, Mid South Shooter's Supply has drop in barrels for GPRs. They are regular Lyman bbls - not Green Mt. or any other manufacturer. They are intended to give GPR shooters the option of having interchangeable barrels of different styles. You could, for instance, have a fast-twist .50 caliber and a slow twist .54 for the same gun.

If you want a different bbl manufacturer, there really isn't anyone with a "drop-in" for GPR. However, the GPR and the T/C Hawken are similar enough that some folks will take a drop-in for a T/C, and modify it slightly to fit the GPR. Track of the Wolf will do this.

Batchief909 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2004, 07:52:55 AM »

I think you're right. I have a buddy wanting to sell his Renegade. I may have to lean that way. Is the Lyman .54 barrel the same 1 in 60? It didn't specify. Not a bad price at Mid South, although they're on order right now. Thanks for your help.....Jeff

Longcruise · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2004, 07:56:26 AM »

Black Jaque has a good point with those concerns over a 15/16th in .58 cal.

That said, Track of The Wolf will modify any of their in-stock 15/16ths barrels to fit the GPR. Check their web site for a phone number and give them a call. They may stock a .58 in 15/16ths.

Batchief909 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2004, 08:15:14 AM »

All their .58s are 1" - 1" 1/8th, due to the safety concerns. I may go the Renegade route. That .58 in 1"in 70" sure sounds sweet. I'd just as soon have a little more steel between me and the load for that size.

Black Jaque Janaviac · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2004, 08:57:12 AM »

As far as my Mid South catalog says - they offer all the GPR barrels. Flint or percussion, .50 or .54, 1:32" or 1:60". Both the .50 and .54 have same twist.

I used to think twist mattered a lot, but now I don't worry too much. It's a good rule of thumb, but I think quality in manufacturing can make a bigger difference. I have a Colerain .54 which has a 1:56" twist, I thought this would only handle "target loads". Well it handles roundballs at 1960 fps quite well - which is as much as you can ask of a .54.

Batchief909 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2004, 11:29:25 AM »

Colerain, in my opinion, makes a damn good barrel. I have one on my custom .45 flinter. WOW,you ARE pushing that .54. I really haven't decided yet whether I'll go for the .54 for the GPR or tackle the .58 on the Renegade. You're leaning me towards the .54 now. I just want to go a little bigger than the .50. It's a tack driver, but if I stay with the GPR, I could have a variation. Plus the little woman wouldn't notice anothe space taken up in the safe...... :wink: Thanks again guys......Jeff

lonewolf5347 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2004, 02:49:47 PM »

I was told that mid-summer GM is comming out with a 54 cal 15/16 across the flats for the t/c hawkens 50 cal. flinter
1 in 70 twist 32 inch long barrel that will soot RB
My t/c flinter will only except a barrel diameter 15/16 .Will be nice to shoot the 54 cal. in my hawkens

Longcruise · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2004, 04:34:58 AM »

Quote

I was told that mid-summer GM is comming out with a 54 cal 15/16 across the flats for the t/c hawkens 50 cal. flinter

Probably no need to wait till summer. They list the barrel needed under Green Mountain barrels on their side and have all the parts to convert it as they do with the percussion barrels. You can probably do it yourself or have them do the gunsmithing for you.[/url]

Black Jaque Janaviac · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2004, 03:22:00 AM »

1960 fps is not unheard of for a .54 ball, fast, but not that outrageous.

I used to shoot a GPR .54 and never had much success at getting the velocity up that high. I was also rather dissappointed in its lethal effect. Seemed to kill more like an bow-n-arrow than a gun. Since bringing this Colerain to bear, I've done less tracking.