Tickled with my new (old) GPR - anything I should check for before shooting?

[Rileybassman]

Howdy all,

Been learning a lot here lately and mostly watching from the sidelines. I have been trying to track down a .54 Hawken, and after several months, finally landed a nice GPR

According to the date code, she’s a 1984. As far as I can tell she is in really nice shape and looks like she was mostly a safe queen… maybe never shot idk. I have taken it down and completely cleaned, oiled, function checked everything I can… fired a couple caps as well. Everything to me seems to be in working order… triggers work like they should, nipple and clean out screws both came out easily and I cleaned and added antisieze. Barrel is nice and shiney… first patch had a ever so slight orange twinge… I don’t see any pitting or surface rust… ran some fine steel wool up and down the barrel anyway, applied some pb blaster, and then cleaned it really well with hot water, then ballistol, and then applied some G96. Took trigger group and lock out… no rust anywhere… oiled them all up… measured and she’s a 1 in 48” twist. Barrel seems to be consistent pressure on patch whole way… used a .30 cal brush and cleaned patented breach.

So my question since this is my first used/older gun… is there anything I’m missing or anything I should check before taking her for a spin? I’ll be shooting PRBs with real BP. Just want to make sure I do the right thing before shooting… and yes, I added some finger nail polish to front blade… it’s a pretty big blade and slightly tough to see.

Here’s some pics… she is awful pretty IMO

 

[William Sublette]

Great Plains Hunter @ 1:48 ?


GPR'S are 1:66

 

[William Sublette]

Regardless, that's as good as you can do short of custom.

 

[frankie]

These are great rifles. You got a gem! I cant find any in any stores. Im being nosey and if you dont want to answer I understand. But did you get this in a store or the internet? Im just trying to figure out where I can get one.

 

[frankie]

Regardless, that's as good as you can do short of custom.

I Agree William

 

[IronHand]

Just be sure that you have lots of powder, patches, and balls. You will need it. You will love shooting your Lyman.

Ironhand

 

[Rileybassman]

Great Plains Hunter @ 1:48 ?


GPR'S are 1:66

Most .54s from the 80s are 1:48”.

 

[Rileybassman]

These are great rifles. You got a gem! I cant find any in any stores. Im being nosey and if you dont want to answer I understand. But did you get this in a store or the internet? Im just trying to figure out where I can get one.

Not nosey at all… this one was on gunbroker… pics looked decent… I set a limit for what I was willing to pay and got it.
I lost several other auctions and missed a couple sales here… took a bit of work but I’m really happy with it!

 

[Rileybassman]

Regardless, that's as good as you can do short of custom.

Fantastic… I’m really looking forward to a nice day to get out!

 

[Rileybassman]

Just be sure that you have lots of powder, patches, and balls. You will need it. You will love shooting your Lyman.

Ironhand

Well right now 5 lbs of 2f, 500 primers, and 200 balls… should keep me busy for a couple months ;-) any load recommendations? Figure start around 70 or 80ish grains? Elk, black bear, and multiple flavors of deer are on the menu…

 

[longcruise]

Well frankly, it may have been fired sometime in it's life but it doesn’t show. It's like new. You have acquired a fine piece.

The two things I see that could be improved are the crown and thefrontsight.. There are plenty of topics here that cover the process of fixingthecrown. That said, I suggest you get some Shooting in before playing with the crown. The front sights on these guns are very thick. They can be replaced but it's simpler and an immediate fix to just file it thinner. They also tend to be too tall but that's a good thing. Even though you have the adjustable rear sight you may still end up filing it down a bit. These rifles, at least the kits, were supplied with the adjustable and fixed rear. You may be happier with one or the other.

 

[Rileybassman]

I’m also open to front blade suggestions… I think a nickel or brass, with a thinner post would be nice…

 

[Rileybassman]

Well frankly, it may have been fired sometime in it's life but it doesn’t show. It's like new. You have acquired a fine piece.

The two things I see that could be improved are the crown and thefrontsight.. There are plenty of topics here that cover the process of fixingthecrown. That said, I suggest you get some Shooting in before playing with the crown. The front sights on these guns are very thick. They can be replaced but it's simpler and an immediate fix to just file it thinner. They also tend to be too tall but that's a good thing. Even though you have the adjustable rear sight you may still end up filing it down a bit. These rifles, at least the kits, were supplied with the adjustable and fixed rear. You may be happier with one or the other.

Ok excellent info… I actually just wrote before I saw this that I was open to front blade suggestions… I want to shoot first to see if full height or shorter is closer, but it is quite thick I agree… just a bastard file for thinning and lowering?
what should I watch for to know if I should attempt to recrown or smooth it? It does look a hair uneven… groups will do the talking?

 

[frankie]

Not nosey at all… this one was on gunbroker… pics looked decent… I set a limit for what I was willing to pay and got it.
I lost several other auctions and missed a couple sales here… took a bit of work but I’m really happy with it!

You did very well. Beautiful rifle. It will probably shoot as well as it looks. Thanks

 

[longcruise]

Most .54s from the 80s are 1:48”.

That's correct however I think the change was to a 1:60.

I got hunting accuracy with my first GPR in 48 with 90 to 110 grains of 2f so don't let the 1:48 naysayers keep you from experimenting.

 

[longcruise]

Those sharp edges can damage the patch when loading. May or may not be the case with your rifle.

 

[Rileybassman]

That's correct however I think the change was to a 1:60.

I got hunting accuracy with my first GPR in 48 with 90 to 110 grains of 2f so don't let the 1:48 naysayers keep you from experimenting.

Ok very cool… I was worried that about 80 would be the max… that’s good to hear.
Yea I marked the rod and pulled it a out quarter twist it it was bang on 12”… so for sure a 1:48”.
You ever try conicals in your 48? I like the idea of PRBs and will prolly stick with them… but if I ever draw that Montana bison hunt….. ;-)

 

[Rileybassman]

Those sharp edges can damage the patch when loading. May or may not be the case with your rifle.

Ok I’ll watch for that… I’ll try and grab patches after I shoot as well.

 

[longcruise]

Ok very cool… I was worried that about 80 would be the max… that’s good to hear.
Yea I marked the rod and pulled it a out quarter twist it it was bang on 12”… so for sure a 1:48”.
You ever try conicals in your 48? I like the idea of PRBs and will prolly stick with them… but if I ever draw that Montana bison hunt….. ;-)

I did shoot a few conicals but the recoil is not fun. I and those I hunt with have had good success on elk with PRB. Anywhere from 80 and up is what has worked. FWIW, I have a GM drop in barrel with 1:72 twist and it's a good shooter but I wouldn't bet against the 1:48 in a head to head contest!

 

[Rileybassman]

I did shoot a few conicals but the recoil is not fun. I and those I hunt with have had good success on elk with PRB. Anywhere from 80 and up is what has worked. FWIW, I have a GM drop in barrel with 1:72 twist and it's a good shooter but I wouldn't bet against the 1:48 in a head to head contest!

Thank you so much for your feedback!

I aim to get out this weekend... Ill report back on how it goes.