Author Topic: Modern ML shooter wants 1st Traditional (Read 794 times)

dmills · « **on:** February 07, 2006, 05:54:14 AM »

Ok, I have been a dedicated modern/in-line shooter and just bought a new one back in Nov.

Now I have the bug for a "traditional." I am considering a Lyman Great Plains kit or even a Lyman Trade rife. I have seen and read a lot about the Great Plains but not anything about the Trade rifle.

Does anyone here shoot the Trade rifle or otherwise know anything about them?

Thanks.

KING · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2006, 12:57:19 PM »

I have several ,well,sometimes it seems that I have several of just about everything that goes bang. At any rate....most of the guys that shoot a Lyman have very little problems with them. I would go with the Great Plains rifle as it shoots a round ball very well and go fer it in .54 cal. Stay safe.King

harryo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:28:03 PM »

Quote from: Omega-Tx

Now I have the bug for a "traditional." I am considering a Lyman Great Plains kit or even a Lyman Trade rife. I have seen and read a lot about the Great Plains but not anything about the Trade rifle.

Does anyone here shoot the Trade rifle or otherwise know anything about them?

Thanks.

The Great Plains rifle(GPR) has a 1/60" twist barrel which is excellent for shooting patched roundballs. If you want to shoot only lead conicals, the Great Plains Hunter is exactly like the GPR but has a 1:32" twist barrel. It would only be able to shoot roundball accurately with very light loads. The Trade rifle has a 1:48" twist barrel which is a compromise twist that will shoot both patched roundballs and lead conicals fairly well but won't shoot either quite as well as the barrels with the twist more suited for each projectile. The GPR has a 32" long barrel as opposed to the Trade rifle's 28" barrel, which I feel hangs on target better for off hand shooting and the GPR also has a double set trigger and the Trade rifle has a single trigger. The Trade rifles trigger is a bit heavy out of the box but with a little polishing work it can be improved.

I have 2 percussion GPRs, a .50cal and a .54cal, a flint GPR in .54cal and a flint Trade rifle in .50cal. However, my Trade rifle has a 32" Green Mountain barrel with a 1:70" twist, which shoots roundball much better than the stock barrel, IMO. If you really want to go traditional, the GPR, shooting roundball, would be the best choice of the two rifles. That would be my choice and if you plan on hunting deer with it, I would go with the .54cal although the .50 cal roundball will certainly do the job.

sharps4590 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2006, 10:12:12 AM »

The advice you received from the previous posters can't be improved upon. Go with the GPR in 54 cal. I shot one for years until I upgraded to a custom Hawken. Now, for sentimental reasons, I wish I had the GPR too!

Vic

victorcharlie · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2006, 11:50:41 AM »

I won't argue with either about the rifles

If you like to shoot alot, the PRB is quite a bit cheaper.

I have a GM 1/70 twist in .50 caliber and the accuracy shooting patched round balls is uncanny.......I couldn't be more pleased with mine.......

Snowshoe · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2006, 12:53:17 PM »

The Lymans are good rifles. I have the Deerstalker and find it a well made and very good hunting rifle.

Slamfire · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2006, 04:43:39 PM »

I hear Ithica is back in business, maybe if you ask really nice they'll revive their replica of Kit Carson's Hawken. Can't get much better'n that. :grin:

dmills · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2006, 05:17:12 AM »

Thanks for all the info and advice.

I read somewhere today that the Lymans like the Cabelas brand MLs are made by Investment Arms. Is that right?

harryo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2006, 08:01:24 AM »

Quote from: Omega-Tx

Thanks for all the info and advice.

I read somewhere today that the Lymans like the Cabelas brand MLs are made by Investment Arms. Is that right?

The Lyman rifles are made by Investarm, as are the Cabelas Hawkens. Other Cabelas rifles are made by Pedersoli. Investarm's quality is excellent, on par with Thompson Center, although T/C does have a better warranty.

dmills · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2006, 08:05:39 AM »

Just bit the bullet, so to speak.

Used but excellent condition T/C Hawken .50 cal.

This is going to be fun. I need to learn how to do PRBs now. Any advice and detailed step by step procedures will be welcome.

Thanks.

slayer · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2006, 01:42:30 PM »

congrats on the T/C man!! I love them. OK, now for Ithica. I heard they were going back out of business again after coming back some years back. Did someone buy them off of the current owners? Jack.

sharps4590 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2006, 04:00:04 PM »

Welll.....it ain't rocket surgery. Pick up some .490 round balls and some .015 prelubed, precut patches. Go to the range, run a couple patches down the bore, bust a couple caps on the nipple. blow down barrel....( I always do anyway ), dump 90 grs. of either Ffg or Fffg down the bore, center patch on muzzle, center ball in patch, short start into the bore, finish seating ball with ramrod, point rifle down range, cap nipple, aim, fire, repeat to your hearts content because you probably just took it hook, line and sinker and are now hopelessly addicted to real muzzleloading. The disease isn't terminal but the effects and symptoms are permanent and there is no known cure.

Congrats on the TC and I'm sure it will serve you well. They're good rifles but I sure prefer the GPR cuz it's probably the closest thing you're gonna get in a production rifle to a real Hawken.

I believe TC will send you a new owners manual for free if you contact them.

Vic

dmills · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:19:38 AM »

One reason I decided to go with the T/C was the warranty.

As soon as it gets here, I will use the serial number to order a manual from T/C.

Notice the name change--used to be Omega-Tx, but I changed it today.

Landngroove · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2006, 10:15:22 AM »

Quote from: dmills

Just bit the bullet, so to speak.

Used but excellent condition T/C Hawken .50 cal.

This is going to be fun. I need to learn how to do PRBs now. Any advice and detailed step by step procedures will be welcome.

Thanks.

Congrats on the T/C Hawken. You have yourself a fine muzzleloader. The use of real black powder, Goex, or others, will give better ignition, and consistancy, than any of the replica black powders. I went full circle with black powder, then the different replicas, then back to real black powder. Best ignition, best accuracy, hands down.