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Posted: 5/27/2012 10:45:02 AM EDT
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Anyone here ever build one from a kit? I have been thinking about building one, but never talked to anyone who has done it. I was leaning towards a Kentucky since they seem to be cheaper, but would love a Pennsylvania or Appalachian. Traditions seems to have the best prices, but what other companies are out there for a good value?
If anyone has built one, please chime in with some info, companies to deal with, and pics. Thanks! 
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Hello tmurph01. In my opinion the Lymans 'Great Plains' rifle is one of the most accurate, and most accurate looking copies of the long rifle you can buy. It is available in .50 or .54 caliber, in flint or percussion ignition, and with your choice of 1-66", or 1-32" rifling. The 1-66 is really only suitable for round ball. You can shoot maxi or conicals, but in my experience they tend to string horizontally as the powder charge is increased. The 1-32 is an ideal compromise for both round ball, and conicals, maxi-balls, and sabot rounds. I have owned two of these rifles over the years. I built my first in .50 percussion with the 1-66 barrel for use in match shooting in Florida. It was a very accurate rifle capable of 2-3 inch groups @ 100yds, when properly loaded. I had a second rifle in.54 percussion that was hell on wheels on feral hogs in the palmetto thickets of central and northern Florida, where ranges rarely exceeded 75 yds. 250-325 grain lead conicals on top of 100-125 grains of FFg Black powder is serious bad times for the pigs. Since moving to Texas, where ranges tend to be notably longer, muzzle loaders don't fit how and where I hunt much anymore. Go to Midway, or Dixie Gun Works, or Mid-South Shooters supply and price shop. You should be able to find them in the $4-500 range. I can assure you, you will get what you pay for in superior quality. Building them from a kit is not that difficult if you have intermediate levels of gunsmithing skills in wood and metal finishing. The instructions are easy to follow. If not , you can purchase one ready built for not much more than the kit price. An added feature is that you can buy the gun with the 1-66 barrel, and an extra barrel in 1-32 in order to maximize the usefulness of the entire package.
IMHO the Lymans Great Plains Rifle is the nicest looking of the current crop of Muzzleloading rifles available today, if you're going for the mountain/long rifle look. Best of luck, and email or IM me if you need help or have any questions. 44-40 |
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