I picked up a Lyman Great Plains Rifle (percusion) a couple of years back and have done some target shooting with it to get used to the rifle. This year I would like to finally take it out for it's real purpose, Hunting. My question/questions are: What is a good hunting load for it (80, 90 or 100 grains of BP)? Since it's a slow twist how accurate would it be for the maxi-balls or should I just use PRB? I like the Maxis since they load easier but will use round ball if I must.

I also have plenty of Goex fff for my cap and ball Remington. If I use it in the rifle will 90 grains of fff be the same as 90 grains of ff or should I use more/less?

if you use 3f powder, back your powder measure down 10 grains to equal your 2f load.

50 or 54cal?

80-90 grains 2F is excellent for both 50 and 54 cal.

Thanks for the info. It's 50 cal.

I've been hunting with a Lyman Great Plains in .50 flintlock for over 20 years. I never tried Maxi Balls as the twist is optimized for roundballs (1 in 66" I believe). I shoot 100 grains of Goex FFg behind a .490 roundball with .015 patch. 90 grains of 3F should give similar performance. This load is very accurate in my gun to a 100 yards, loads very easily,hits hard and gives complete penetration on deer.

1:60

If I am thinking right, the powerbelts(black belt and green belt lead hollow point) were made to shoot in these even with the slow twist. They shoot good out of my brother's. Man they put a hurtin' on the deer.

I haven't shot the Powerbelts or any other conicals as PA, where I mostly hunt, required patched roundballs until recently. However Hornady makes a conical specifically for slow twist barrels called the PA Conical.

msquared
Thanks for that info I'll see if I can find any. Any idea how many grains of lead?

240 grains. They're all lead. Hornady sells the PA Conical directly through their website, $12 per 50. I don't have any experience with these. But, they are a very short conical for slow twists

Something else to consider before selecting a conical vs. PRB. I did use to shoot MaxiBalls in a T/C and found them hard to reload while hunting after a couple of shots. After breaking a ramrod while frantically trying to reload with a big buck staring at me, I switched to PRB as they're so much easier to reload when dirty.

Powerbelt says they can be shot in a slow twist but you'd have to find the lightest weight powerbelt *so its short* and find the right powder charge. 223gr is the lightest and i'd max out the powder in the 70 to 80gr area and see how it does with the twist.

I'd use 70-80 grains of 3F and a patched round ball. I wouldn't use the Powerbelts.

I've had one for 24 years now. My load is 90gr 2F with 490 ball. If you have the Great Plains Rifle the twist is around 1-66. The Great Plains Hunter has a very fast twist for sabots/conicals. I'm with Swampman go with the round ball in the slow twist. I have killed several deer with it and always gets 2 holes.

I have the Rifle with the slow twist. Appreciate the info guys. Thanks

My solution to your problem was to buy another barrel in the fast twist.

I hunt elk and moose and the 50 cal PRB is too light for them, IMO.

So, I have a 50 cal fast twist barrel, and a slow twist 54 cal barrel.

I may just get the fast twist barrel, see which one I like better and go with that.

Thanks guys. Appreciate the input.

GPR's tend to like loads that are around 90 grains of powder.

Spot

I have a GPR roundball gun and after extensive shooting with it it likes 90grs of 2f KIK BP a 015 patch with a 495 ball.I shot over 800 rounds before I figured out exactley what she liked.I did not hesitate shooting a big dry cow this fall with it at 85yds, she went about 60yds and down she went.A ball through the boiler room will do it everytime.I also have a GPR in .50 and .54 flintlock I am starting to work loads up for those two. I love GPR'S.

plumbgod,

I also like my GPR in .50 flint. I've had it for over 20 years. The only thing I don't like is the way the frizzen fits over the pan. There a gap on the hinge side that allows the 4F to leak out pretty easily. How's the fit on your two?

Lee makes a mold for the "R.E.A.L. bullet,you can get a 250 grain conical bullet that should work in a slow twist.They may be available commercially also,if you dont cast.
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/blackpow.html

My 54 cal is a 1 in 66 twist - so I"m a lead ball type of guy.

I shoot roundballs also and strongly prefer them. I think the point being made with conicals is that for those who prefer them, there are conicals available that have a bearing surface as short as roundballs that should shoot o.k. in slow-twist barrels.

msquared,my fifty doesn't seem to have that problem although now that you mention it I will pay more attention.I just got the 54 so I will let you know after next weekend.PG

PG,

Thanks. It seems like the hole that the frizzen pivots on is too low causing the front edge of the frizzen to sit too high. A good breeze will blow the priming powder out! And, I always have to hold it level! I wasn't sure if they were all that way or if I just got a bad one. I bought a Siler replacement lock. But, it requires a lot of fitting of the wood. It's one of those projects that I need to get back to some day. Otherwise I love the gun.