I have a Lyman Great plains rifle in 54 caliber and its never shot well and I have tried everything to make it shoot...I have decided on a new barrel, but this time I am going to go with a conical bullet as opposed to a ball gun...

My question is who makes the very best 54 cal. barrels out there today, I used to use Longs barrels many years ago but have been a little out of touch with blackpowder as of late.

Ray, a buddy of mine who is a former Williamsburg smith swears by the following,



Green Moutain, for every day use

Don Getz,for super accuracy

James Goodoien,for match and best shooting bbl's





Check over at www.trackofthewolf.com They can help you out

Ray, there are lots of good barrels and Lyman GPs often shoot well anyway. However, your's may have been a bad apple for some reason.



I, personally, will not buy any 12L14 steel barrel as is often sold for muzzleloading - others will. Green Mountain uses 4140.



Track of the Wolf is a great place to go. That would be among my first stops.



Brent



I amend this to comment that a new barrel will cost not a heck of a lot less than a new Lyman GP. And, I'd recomment a dedicated roundball barrel twist if you get another barrel, not a bullet barrel. the short stubby things that are .54 muzzleloading bullets just don't cut it in my opinion. A good bullet rifle would be a .45 with an 18" twist for 550 gr bullets, otherwise go with roundballs. I know that most will not agree, but then most don't have .45's like that either.

Thanks guys, and keep those cards and letters coming!

Ray, you may also want to check out Ed Reyhl barrels. Muzzleloader Builders Supply carries them. And then there is LC Rice and Colerain.