I recently had a custom muzzleloader fall through and now I find myself in need of a stand-in. I want a .50 that will shoot full bore conicals that weigh about 400-460 grains. Right now my intention is to buy a Lyman GPH and shoot it as is or to buy a Renegade and a Green Mountain LRH barrel for it. For those of you who actually own and shoot one or both of these which way would you go?
Thanks in advance,
Keith

Well you know I am going to say a Hot Rod Renegade. I have had nothing but good luck with mine and have taken some great animals, and shot some great groups.



With that said the Lyman GPH would be a next in line or a Pedersoli missouri river hawken in a 50 is a 1-24 twist. That should handle the big conicals I like to shoot or sabots.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.co...egoriaId=241&lang=en


http://www.lymanproducts.com/l...at-plains-hunter.php

The Lyman is the cheepest factory option of all three I think but if you want an adjustable peep it will cost an extra 150 dollars. The Hot Rod Renegade is going to be next in least cost. You can figure on spending about 150 to 200 for a Renegade. The barrel can be found for 100 to 250 dollars. The Lyman 57 SML is about 100 the Lyman 17 AML globe is about 30 the Lee Shavers inserts are about 20.
These rifles like a lead bullet that is a little on the hard side but NOT hard. Harder than 5BHN pure but softer than 40-1 alloyed mix 8.5 BHN. Mine love paper patched bullets.
I have made 4 of the Hot Rod Renegades or hawkens for my self. I think they are a great rifle if you have the time to shop for the parts. If you do, you can do this project for a real good price. I have bought several barrels for 100 dollars. I also have a tutorial on building these guns. Ron

Ron: Finally found a reasonably priced Renegade to work on. Would like to see your Tutorial on building, and feeding these rifles. Steve

What is a decent price for a Renegade?

Well that depends on condition. If you asking about a donor rifle you should be able to get one with a bad barrel and good stock for under 200.00 if you want one that is in good shape and shoot it as made by the factory under 300.00

I recently completed a Lyman GPH .54 that I built from parts from a number of sources, the barrel was the only thing new. It probably cost in the $240 range all told(not including labor!) Some of my first three shot groups had me baffled, I thought they were missing the target entirely, turns out, they were just enlarging the first hole! That was with the first load I tried, Lyman GPB's with 80 grains of pyrodex RS. That is with the factory open sights. I did have to file down the front sight a LOT to get to zero, there was not enough adjustment in the rear sight to bring it up. I'll play with loads and propellents after deer season is over, but aside from lowering the front sight, it was ready to go, out of the box. I am going to try a rear peep and since that will add 10" to the sighting plane, it ought to remove the occasional flyer that I account to ageing eyesight.

I have a White Super 91 in .50 that I would get rid of. While I've taken one mule deer with it, honestly I haven't had the best luck with it so maybe it needs a new home. I'm not a muzzleloader expert and some people have terrific results with them so probably I'm just not patient enough.

I've only used open sites with it, but I have new rings and bases and some original White's bullets for it I'll throw in.

PM or email me if you're interested.

Thanks,
Kyler

Do you still have your White's muzzy F/S? Thank you.

Take a look at the Lyman Trade rifle.
Mine is well over 30 years old and shoots like a dream with great sights, fit and finish. One wedge take down makes it portable easy to clean and in .54 cal. a real shooter.