Suggestions on a .54 cal percussion

[wyofool]

I am looking to buy one of the following:
Lyman Trade Rifle http://www.hinterlandoutfitters.com/lyman-trade-rifle-6032126-black-powder-hardwood-blue-lock-p-16817.html

Or: Pedersoli Traditional Hawken http://www.cabelas.com/product/Pedersoli-Traditional-Hawken-Percussion-Rifle/1608685.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D1000004270%26Ne%3D1000004270%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dblack%2Bpowder%2Brifle%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3DSearchRefinements%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26search%3Dblack%2Bpowder%2Brifle%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D23%26y%3D6&Ntt=black+powder+rifle&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

Or: CABELA .54 CAL PERCUSSION RIFLE http://www.gunsamerica.com/940910166/CABELA_54_CAL_PERCUSSION_PERCUSSION_RIFLE.htm#

Any personal reviews on any of these would be appreciated. They are all in my prices range and would like to get one soon.

 

[Don357]

I have a CVA .54 "Mountain Rifle" 32" barrel in a 2 wedge stock with a Hawken style lock and "set triggers". A literal "blast" to shoot and incredibly accurate with round balls on top of 75gr of FFFg.

 

[fdf]

Lyman total quality is now in the crapper, they need to be flushed.

I would spend my money on Pedersoli, they are quality, cost more, but you do not have to send them back and wait on replacements.

I have Pedersoli pistols, shotguns and rifles not a problem with any of them, all are used in line matches.

Lyman yes, problems.

If you have any doubt, call Flintlock Etc. for sales and service

 

[BullSlinger]

CVA ?

I hope CVA solved their quality problems. Couple of years back they were known to blow up injuring the shooter. Usually after loading 3 50/50 pellets. CVA said they were a safe load. I don't think so.

 

[J-Bar]

I have a Thompson Center .54 Hawken that has served well. TC's website shows they are only making .50s these days, no .54s.

A search on Gunbroker for "Thompson Center .54" turns up several at pretty good prices, however.

 

[Armored farmer]

Keep a sharp eye on Gunbroker......I have seen some pretty good deals there on barely used or unfired b/p rifles.

just a thought.

btw, I have passed through Laramie on some of my western gallivants.

 

[wyofool]

Went with the Pedersoli

Thanks for the input, I decided to spend my Cabela's bucks and got the new Pedersoli. I wanted the .54 because my friend has one and I have the molds. I would have gone with the "Cabela's" on Guns America but the sellers never answered my emails. I've poured my own round balls and made the black powder, now just need the patches. Any suggestions?
I made lube and wads for my .44 '58 New Army but that material will be way too thick for patches though I think the lube will work fine.
I'll pick up some caps today and be ready for when the rifle gets here next week. This is going to be fun!

 

[Armored farmer]

Sounds like you like to make your own shootin' fodder so go to Wal-mart or craft store with your digital calipers in hand....and get some good ol' pillow ticking that is about mmmm .015 or so, give or take a few ths......wash it .....and see if your new rifle likes it.
Some guys shoot .010-------> some like the thick stuff----. .018. fun is finding ball/patch combo for your shootin' iron.

 

[wyofool]

That's an idea, I think I'll give it a try. Not that I'm cheap but I make my own peanut butter, yogurt, bread, ice cream, designed and built my house and barn, run my own business, even fixed several ipods along the way. Satisfaction is what it is about. Smelt lead, cast boolits, make holy black, just need a way to make percussion caps, not that I haven't tried.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

You chose wisely... the Pedersoli Hawken is a good rifle.
And, BTW, I took a close look at the picture of the one advertised as a "Cabela's" 54 and it looks more like a Traditions. And a cheap version at that...

 

[Armored farmer]

Just to get you goin'.....
My ol' T/C Hawken .54 likes .530rb over 90grff with .015 patch. That's my deer hunting load. Targets with 75gr ff.

I cast my own for all my guns 'cept shot for my shotguns.....haven't got that mastered yet.

 

[rodwha]

Since you make other things make your patches too:

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/produ...cts_id=3715&osCsid=jbnn7lhmsqpftonppinc1spqq5

I've been using cheap grape seed oil as lube.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I use the white cotton cleaning patches for my .54 Lyman Plains rifle with .530 balls. I use Bore Butter for the lube but I am sure you could use hog lard as well. I put the patches with lube smeared between them in a plastic container and microwave them for about 15 seconds until the lube melts. The patches are then well saturated and easy to use.

 

[rembow54]

rembow54

owened lyman 54 great plaines for couple yrs bought from cabelas no problems but didnt shoot as good as my tc renagade 54 at 100yrds tried tripple 7 ff had some hang time ! tc has a muskit nipple & sweet combo !

 

[rembow54]

been shootin smoke poles for 40 sum yrs first time ive ever bloged !

 

[Don357]

I contacted CVA about mfgr date on my rifle, and they told me they stopped making the style that I have back in the '70's. So... No worries! But, my point was intended to be that if he ran across one of those rifles, go for it. I really like mine.

 

[wyofool]

Made up some lube (same as on my wads for the '58) and cast some .530 round balls and picked up two tins of CCI #11 caps. Still need to make the patches and of course wait for the rifle to get here.