SALT---What is its intended use? What kind of projectile will you want to shoot? I have a Lyman Great Plains with 2 barrels, one for round ball-one for maxi-ball (bullets). I shoot in matches, and hunt as well. The Lyman is shot with the buttplate out on the arm a bit, not in the shoulder (it hurts). It is much more traditional (realistic) than the TC. Because I like the old time stuff, this is MY favorite, and I shoot it a lot and thus well. I built it from a kit following the drawings of original rifles of this type, which resulted in a much nicer rifle than the factory finished gun. The original barrel with a 1 in 66 twist will stabilize round balls only. I tried about everything, and found this to be a fact. I bought the "hunter" barrel (1 in 32 twist) which is excellent for my favorite elk load, which uses a 370 gr. TC maxi-ball. If you are not into the nostalgia thing, there is nothing at all wrong with the TC Hawkin-My 14 year old daughter loves hers. They are easily as accurate as the Lyman, and have a modern stock configuration, with a higher comb and shorter length-of-pull. They have shallow rifling, which makes them easier and faster to clean. I think that its 1 in 48 twist barrel is not quite up to snuff with maxi-type projectiles, but is excellent with round balls. Ours has a second barrel, which is a most excellent Green Mountain 1 in 28 twist "bullet" barrel. If I were you, I would figure out the first two questions I asked you, and handle both guns and take it from there. They are both good quality rifles. Have fun with your "dilema". --ChuckD--
quote:Originally posted by Salt: Both being .54 caliber percussion rifle, what one would you choose?
Having shot both, and owned and sold the TC, I'd get the Lyman GP every time. Nicer balance, longer barrel, nicer finish, but mostly nicer recoil and fit by miles. The TC flatout hurt to shoot. The Lyman I could shoot all day. Lyman also makes it in a dedicated roundball configuration which I much prefer to the jack of all trades 1x48" twist TC (mine would not shoot maxies well and roundballs were marginal).
For me, it's a no brainer. The Lyman every time.
Brent
Posts: 2257 | Location: Where I've bought resident tags:MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, GA, AZ, IA | Registered: 30 January 2002
A factor in round ball accuracy is patch thickness and ball diameter. Some experimenting (read fun) is in order. Which one "fits" you the best? Have you trial shot them for comparison? One or the other should stand out to you if you trial shoot them. I guess you could always get one in 54 and the other one in 50, you know, just in case.
------------------ Good Shooting!
Posts: 1944 | Location: Moses Lake, WA | Registered: 06 November 2001
I should have been more specific. I will be shooting roundballs for hunting Elk.
If I were going to use conicals, then I could go with a smaller bore of .45 or .50 calibers. I consider the .54 caliber to be a minimum caliber when using roundball on big animals like Elk.
I was looking at the Lyman Great Plains rifle and the TC Hawkins Rifle, both have great reputations and I just wanted to see what rifle was more popular.
I have the .54 Renegade with the 1in 66" roundball barrel. I will probably go to a peep rear, that is the only change I would make. The trigger needed some smoothing but offers a very good set pull. May also go to a musket cap as I've had some misfires. The accuracy is quite acceptable. Recoil is very mild with a target load of 90 grains. Both rifles are good ones.
303---The misfires of which you speak are not typical of TC, and are most certainly caused by one of 5 problems.Areing sure you push the cap on HARD? If this is the problem you will be able to achieve ignition on the second pull. Is the nipple in good shape?If it has a mashed surface replace it with a Mountain States spitfire or Uncle Mikes Hotshot. I also find RWS caps to be hotter than most. Is the channel beneath the nipple clear? Use pipe cleaners. Are you popping a couple caps prior to loading the rifle to make sure the channel is dry and clear? Point the muzzle at leaves or grass etc. to make sure it moves them when popping the cap. Are you using WD-40 or petroleum-based lubricants in the barrel? I wouldn't--they can get into the channel. You have a good quality gun and should not need to use musket caps. Misfires are NOT normal. I havent had one in 13 years, and I shoot my black powder guns a lot--year round. Hope this helps.--------ChuckD
Ray, this is not right! Although I had a Lyman .54 pistol that never got better than 4" @25 yds----I guess it happens. My absolute favorite ml is the Lyman Great Plains---I have 2 barrels,both Lyman. One is the 1/66 .54, is most accurate w/60gr. Goex fffg, .017 precut pillow-ticking patch (ox-yoke), and a Buffalo .535 ball. This is a very good deer load, too! The other barrel is a .50 cal. 1/32 hunter barrel, which likes 50 gr. ffg Goex, .490 BB ball .017 pillow ticking patch. I only use RWS caps. This barrel is intended to use bullets, and kills elk NOW with 370 gr. TC maxi-ball and 90 gr. Goex ffg. I shoot a Cabelas gun with a seriously accurate Green Mountain barrel with a 1/28 twist using TC .50 /370 gr. for elk----GREAT BARREL. This is the best of all my barrels, and I recommend it highly. MANY competitors choose this barrel. Hope this helps.------Chuck
