.50 or .54

chain · #1 04-25-2009, 07:26 AM

I have made up my mind to buy a Lyman Great Plains hunter rifle. Would you guys buy a .50 or a .54 cal.? Would you buy a kit or fully assembled? I would be mostly hunting whitetail with it but I would hpe to take it west for muley or elk when I could manage it. I also want to shoot round balls. Thanks

Sharpstick · #2 04-25-2009, 08:53 PM

I built a Lyman Great Plains in .54. It's a pretty easy kit and I enjoyed putting it together. With just a little effort the fit and finish will be superior to the factory rifle. The exception being the bluing for me. I tried cold bluing it and it was so-so. if I do another one I will try browning it. I did the slow twist barrel because I like shooting round balls, but they go together the same. I would suggest the .54 if you might chase elk with it some day.

chain · #3 04-26-2009, 07:10 AM

I was thinking of the kit , so I could brown the barrel. If the assembled rifle came "browned" I would buy it. Thanks

nate270 · #4 05-09-2009, 02:48 PM

the .54 is more versitile you can shoot .50 sabbot rounds for bigger game and at longer distances the .54 is the better of the two calibers. as far as the kit browning ithe barrel is great and looks authentic but you can blue is yourself with a $25. kit and a propain torch it only has to be 200* and it looks great. the .50 is limited so unless youy have a pistol ar something else that usess that caliber i think that the .54 is the better caliber and for long range muzzleloader shooting look into the lyman minny mag bullets the ball just doesnt have that good of a coeffitent.

Speed Trap · #5 07-03-2009, 05:56 PM

I just got the GPR in .54 cal and can't wait to burn some powder.

ATH · #6 07-03-2009, 10:53 PM

If you're shooting round balls, go .54 for sure. ESPECIALLY if you are going for elk. I'm sure .45s did in a lot of elk back in the day, but we're not starving for lead and powder anymore so go with the bigger option. No reason for a .54 with sabots but with roundballs, a .50 weighs under 200gr I think.

.280fan · #7 07-04-2009, 12:13 AM

How often do you wan to shoot round balls? The reason I ask is because in general I would recommend the 50 (more variety in bullets, easier to get....) . But if you're planning on shooting round balls a bunch, then go the 54.