I am replacing a muzzleloader that I sold a few years back. I have made up my mind to buy a Lyman Great Plains rifle. My questions being
1) .50 or .54 caliber?

2) Kit or fully assembled?

I will use this mostly for whitetail, however, I will take it west on occaision for muley and elk. I want to shoot round balls also, it will have the slow twist. Thanks

If you plan to use the round ball on elk I'd go with the .54 for certain. The price difference between the kit and the assembled gun being so slight I'd get the finished gun. A fella can always refinish the gun to suit hisself. Now, for the real question, are you getting a flinter or one of those newfangled caplocks?

I had my mind made up to getting a flint but the more research I do I think I might go percussion. It can be pretty damp and rainy in my home state's muzzleloading season.

Chain,
Absolutely go with the .54 caliber. The difference in mass (190 grs and 230 grs) and bullet diameter equate to more efficiency in taking game the size of an elk.

Recoil between 90 or 120 grs of 2ffg isn't worth arguing about, but downrange terminal ballistics are a different story.

Lyman does make their Great Plains rifle in a faster twist 30" barrel for use with slugs. That changes the dynamics considerably versus a round ball gun.

Buy the finished rifle. They do a nice job at the plant. All you have to do is adjust the sights and let drive..

If you have access to a Cabela's, take a look at their house-brand ml. It's built by Investarms, who I believe make Lyman's stuff, too.

Ditto the .54; I have the Cabela's Hawken in .54 perc and have no complaints except the stock has so much drop that it wants to slap your cheek pretty hard. I considered the Lyman as well, and ended up with Cabela's.

The Great Plains Hunter is Lyman's faster-twist variation, I believe is 1-48 as opposed to the 1-66 in the regular GP setup for round balls.

Congrats on getting another ml! Oh, and think about Lyman's aperture sight for the GP (fits the Cabela's, too).

Shop around. Cabelas- Lyman G.P. Rifle & Hunter models... $549.99 Impact Guns- G.P. Rifle .54 cal $419.99, G.P. Hunter $379.99..... Save $130.00 on Ball Shooter or $170.00 on bullet shooter. Never heard anything bad about Lyman guns.

I built a Lyman GPR in 54cal it shoots Round balls a lot more accurate than I can. The kit is a bit of a pain to build but I can enjoy the finished product as having my one finishing touch.

If you do not have the time or the skill to do a lot of stock shaping and making sure every part will fit properly then I would suggest not buying a kit.

Good luck with your choice.