Lyman .54 cal Trade Rifle questions

[Kilo Charlie]

I just picked up one of these, used. Near-mint, percussion model. The fella threw in accessories like mad: caps, speedloaders, 2 measures, 2 short starters, 30 Lee REAL bullets, a nylon ramrod, cappers, spare nipples, wrench, pick, etc. Very nice deal.

I have only ever used round ball rifles so wanted recommendations on what people have had luck with in 1:48-twist .54 cals. I will try the REAL 300-grainer as the seller said they are very accurate in that rifle. I will try roundballs too but wonder whether a .530 or .535 would be better in the shallow rifling? My longrifle shot .535 best.

I also require more powder. Having GOEX shipped up here would be ruinous; do you all prefer Triple Seven or Pyrodex RS? They can be shipped like smokeless.

I expect I will also buy a Lyman peep sight for the rifle. I don't know whether I will ever hunt with it; I'll see about that. I have less time to hunt these days so may stick to CF rifles and the muzzleloaders and bows will be for small game and targets.

[GoldenLakePete]

I have a .50 cal Lyman Trade rifle, KC. I don't get very good accuracy with either the 250 gr or 320 gr REAL bullets.

My best accuracy is with MMP sabots and 205 gr .44 cal cast lead bullets.

I have used Pyrodex RS almost exclusively for years and have always found it reliable. Also it doesn't foul up the barrel as much as real black powder. The Friday before last I was shooting with Oilman and fired 10 or 12 shots without needing to clean the barrel.
Clean up is a lot easier too.
Before Goex stopped making it I used "Clear Shot" powder. It was fabulous! It was just like shooting smokeless powder. If you can find any "Clear Shot" I would highly recommend it.

[Kilo Charlie]

Sounds good, Pete. I still have maybe a thousand grains each of FFG and Pyrodex RS. If the REALs shoot well in my gun I may get a mould for them.
Are your .44 cast bullets commercially bought or do you cast them?

[jaycee]

I just picked up one of these, used. Near-mint, percussion model. The fella threw in accessories like mad: caps, speedloaders, 2 measures, 2 short starters, 30 Lee REAL bullets, a nylon ramrod, cappers, spare nipples, wrench, pick, etc. Very nice deal.

I have only ever used round ball rifles so wanted recommendations on what people have had luck with in 1:48-twist .54 cals. I will try the REAL 300-grainer as the seller said they are very accurate in that rifle. I will try roundballs too but wonder whether a .530 or .535 would be better in the shallow rifling? My longrifle shot .535 best.

I also require more powder. Having GOEX shipped up here would be ruinous; do you all prefer Triple Seven or Pyrodex RS? They can be shipped like smokeless.

I expect I will also buy a Lyman peep sight for the rifle. I don't know whether I will ever hunt with it; I'll see about that. I have less time to hunt these days so may stick to CF rifles and the muzzleloaders and bows will be for small game and targets.

A guy that I shoot with sometimes has one , gets terrible accuracy with every thing BUT round balls, due to the twist of the rifling.
I also shoot a 54 cal. "Sharon Barrel Works " kit gun that I built , it also only likes a tight patched .535 dia. ball.

[GoldenLakePete]

Are your .44 cast bullets commercially bought or do you cast them?

I cast them myself - they're actually .44-40 bullets.

[hollywood]

I have a Thompson Hawken in 54 cal. I use .530 balls with a .015 patch and 80 grains of either Triple Seven (loose) or FFFG Black Powder. I usually use CCI magnum caps. The gun has the same twist rate as yours and I get 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups all day long at 50 yards. I enjoy using lead balls, which weigh 230 grains each....they have some real punch on game. Enjoy!!