OT..... Lyman Trade Rifle percussion .50cal ?

Mad Mucus · October 28, 2011, 08:08:43 PM

G'day all,

Anyone have experience with this rifle? Pros/cons?
One has come up 4sale 2nd hand that has my interest with Creedmore sights.

Being a 1:48 twist I know they run well with a patched ball but is there a quality mould/bullet out ther that carries enough lube on it's own and performs?

Thanks,
MM

Major 2 · October 29, 2011, 04:32:26 AM

I have one that shoots quite well, with patched RB , I never used anything else.

The Balls are Speer .490 pillow ticking patched with Bore Butter. BTW mine is a Flintlock .

Kinda cool story how I aquired it....

about 27- 28 years ago , my Dad, had a dream one Friday night ..in it, he had been a yard/Garage sale ( the folks liked hit them on occasion )
He said " in the dream he saw a gun (non discript ) and they were asking $65"
Next morning , He told my Mother, and asked what she though it meant ?

Mom said "I guess it means we should go to some Garage sales today"...so they did...
and the they found this Rifle ..... yep ! got it for $65 bucks too....

Dad gifted the Rifle to me , the last year of his life..... I treasure it !

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · October 29, 2011, 12:33:02 PM

If you are asking about bullets, there are choices and you should try a variety for yourself. It is FUN! almost as much fun as shooting roundball the way it was meant to be. Loaded from a rifle pouch and shot upright on your two hind laigs!

The easiest bullet to get is a LEE R.E.A.L. T-C have a slug as well There are more, but see what is available at your local toys-4-men shop. buy some and get a mould when you finalize your choice. I feel you will have better luck with one of the lighter slugs and not one meant for those abortions called ~~in-LIE ing~~ Whoops I mean In-Lines.

OOps! Did I let my true feelings show

Mad Mucus · October 30, 2011, 12:17:02 AM

OK pards, what I'm asking is, has anyone shot this rifle or similar and what did you think?

Black powder shooting is not so common down here in Oz, so bullets or even moulds are not readily available over the counter to sample/buy. The only real BP rifles/accessories importer other than the one big rip-off company that supplies gun shops with very little choice, is Graeme Forbes and he's expensive 'cause the market is his. Sooooo..... one has to order sight unseen OS to get other than basics like round ball.

These 2 Lyman moulds; do you think the bullets will carry enough lube(like the BigLube moulds I have & treasure) to be seated straight over the powder or is there an alternative.....

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details-blackpowder.php?entryID=85

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details-blackpowder.php?entryID=86

P.S. I'm new to muzzle loaders and will want to shoot patched ball & bullets

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · October 30, 2011, 01:11:40 AM

OK; I have some limited experience with the Maxi design (the 2d link) and it will likely do what you want. You will probably find that you will do over 90% of your shooting with the ball and the slug would be reserved for ocassions needing deeper penetration. Having said that, a 50 caliber ball is a great killer in its own right. I like the looks of the Buffalo bullet, but no experience.

I'm sure you will need more advice before buying! Get balls or a ball mold and blaze away. If you get to the point where a slug seems needed, then get it.

fourfingersofdeath · October 30, 2011, 02:29:20 AM

Quote from: Mad Mucus on October 30, 2011, 12:17:02 AMBlack powder shooting is not so common down here in Oz

Western Firearms in Beverly Hills, Sydney have a good range of Lee moulds, etc and Martin Dorney of Martin's Firearms specialises in black powder guns and equipment.

Western Firearms 02)95794294 (they also have a website).

Martin's Firearms 02)95795126

There's probably some BP specialists nearer you, but they are both straight shooters and look after me well.

Darstardly Dan one this site is also a good source of moulds and such and his stuff (especially the recent moulds) is top notch.

Mick.

Mad Mucus · October 30, 2011, 02:01:01 PM

Thanks fellas

Mick.....

boilerplatejackson · October 30, 2011, 10:21:32 PM

Have you considered buying the cast bullets, ready to ship, from Dixie Gun Works? This will allow you to shoot both bullet
mold styles and decide for yourself which you like better for the distance you wish to shoot. If it is practical to have them
mailed to downunder! My preference would be the Maxi Ball mould for shooting out to 200 yards. If I remember correctly
the Lyman Trade Rifle is a shallow depth rifling which shoots the Maxi Ball or other conicals very very well.