Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: burch on March 15, 2009, 05:18:42 PM

Title: GPR barrels
Post by: burch on March 15, 2009, 05:18:42 PM: Why does Lyman just offer the GPR in the heavy caibers. I wonder why they didn`t make more drop in`s in smaller caibers. Mine a .50 cal and as much as I like it the dang thing weighs a ton. I was thinking about getting a GM 32 or maybe a 36. The only trouble is with the 15/16 barrel it`ll probably weigh as much as my 50. I wonder which of the production guns offer the most options for drop in`s ?

Burch
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Post by: Voyageur on March 15, 2009, 06:09:33 PM: I would suppose simple economics would dictate that you make the two most popular bore sizes that are currently in use. While I personally don't feel the GPR is too heavy, I enjoy that comfortable feel of a that mass of gun. Mine is also a .50 and I am seriously thinking of swapping out with a new .54 Lyman barrel. For the type of accuracy that the original gun supplies I do not understand the need of GM replacements. As for smaller bores such as .36 and .32 as "drop-ins---that gun would get considerably heavier especially with the barrel width as it is now. Alas I don't think there is a solution to your problem. "Doc"
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Post by: Iktomi on March 16, 2009, 09:51:33 AM: For a given barrel profile, such as 15/16 X 32 as on a GPR, the smaller the caliber, the heavier the barrel.
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Post by: Three Hawks on March 16, 2009, 01:47:25 PM: Quote from: "Iktomi"
For a given barrel profile, such as 15/16 X 32 as on a GPR, the smaller the caliber, the heavier the barrel.

Not only that, but incredibly heavier. Dixie Gun Works catalog has a chart in the back which spells out the weight of octagonal barrels of varying sizes with bores of varying diameters.

If you really want a smaller caliber rifle, drop ins are easily made up. I have a .40 in my Seneca which requires a 13/16" barrel. It was .45, but I had that barrel reamed to .50 smooth. I also have a .45 factory barrel to go into my T-C Hawken which requires a 15/16" barrel. Years ago I made up a .30 barrel to go into the same gun. To get the 15/16" .30 barrel to balance, I had to cut it to 24".

Before anyone asks, yes it is a muzzleloading .30 cal. barrel 15/16" across the flats. Rifled 1 turn in 48", especially for round balls. I shoot either .285" cast balls, (Boy ws it fun finding that mold!!) or .27" # 4 buckshot. Either works as well as the other. 12 gr. 3F Goex for both. With homemade Tap-O-Cap caps it's nearly free shooting and keeps a kid occupied for hours.

Three Hawks

I strongly advise you to get a small caliber rifle with a slim profile barrel. You will be much happier for many more years.
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Post by: tg on March 17, 2009, 06:14:39 PM: Most people probably don't care but the type of gun the Lyman historicaly represents was a heavy gun the LGP of today would be a light weight in the 1850's
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Post by: burch on March 17, 2009, 06:50:06 PM: I wonder how bad i`d screw it up wacking the barrel down to 28"