Lyman Great Plains

Pierre009 said:

Was on a forum this morning with numerous people trying to figure out the twist of a Lyman Plains rifle. Someone posted the Lyman site. I email them to find out what my Lyman from the early 70s was. According to Lyman the 50 cal plains rifle has a 1:60 twist.
If anyone has seen that forum please let me know.

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From what I was told, most of them had either a 1:60 or 1:66 twist. To my surprise, one member on here a few days ago stated that Lyman built a few with 1:48 twist. That got my interest up so I tried to measure mine a few days ago with a scatter gun cleaning brush. I couldn't get an accurate measurement but I do know the cleaning rod didn't rotate much from breech to muzzle. So, I'm hoping mine is at a minimum a 1:60 twist. Checked the date on mine and it is a 1990 model as indicated by an [AZ]. Most likely a kit rifle.

sturmkatze said:

All Italian guns have a 2 digit date code. Just 2 letters in a box. Places to decipher on the net.

As to dot engraving, file it off and have a smith engrave it for you.

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I couldn't find one any larger.

Walt

The Great Plains rifle was the closest thing you could get to a Hawken without going Custom or Semi (Santa Fe, Ithaca, or Green River Rifle Works). With Lyman getting out of the business, Investarm is marketing them as the "Gemmer" Hawken.

My Dixie catalogs have them listed with a 1-60" barrel twist.

I wish I had bought one and a matching pistol years ago before they added the Legalese on the barrel. I ended up with a CVA Mountian rifle as these seemed to be a little better balanced, for me.

I haven't heard too many complaints from folks who have shot them through the years. They always seemed to be solidly built. They're fairly accurate with Patched Round Balls.

As for the Dot Matrix verbiage, I've seen folks draw file that off and brown the barrels. Usually on kit guns.

Walt

Ive got one in 54 cal and its a flintlock. Still have the original lock for it as I put an L&R lock in mine with some Davis triggers. Its one of my favorite guns to shoot. Sure does a number on the steel plates

@BP Addict @sturmkatze where is that two digit date code supposed to be stamped? Unless it’s on the bottom of the barrel mine doesn’t have it. I see “Made in Italy 2021”, but no code.

GPR….”probably the best out of the box.“
100 yards benched. 90 grains FFg. LRB .490
true.

Stykbow said:

@BP Addict @sturmkatze where is that two digit date code supposed to be stamped? Unless it’s on the bottom of the barrel mine doesn’t have it. I see “Made in Italy 2021”, but no code.

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Most manufacturers have used the two-letter code (year of manufacture) within a square and have for years. It's usually on the side of the barrel just above or below the stock on the right-hand side.

Some in the last few decades like CVA and Traditions actually put it on the barrel as you've described. It may actually be part of the serial number (last two digits).

I never knew that Lyman did until reading this thread.

Walt

Robertakamagoo said:

I just got an unfired Lyman Great Plains rifle in 50 cal. It was made in 2018 by investarm. How good are they the fit and finish looks good.

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It is one of my favorite guns. The more you shoot it the more you;'ll appreciate it. If you ever sell it you'll probably regret it later.

I'm guessing this is the dot matrix being referred to. When I first saw it I thought it looked kinda crappy in comparison.

Darkgael said:

GPR….”probably the best out of the box.“
100 yards benched. 90 grains FFg. LRB .490
true.View attachment 200810

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I'm impressed. Is that 50o caliber

frankie said:

I'm impressed. Is that 50o caliber

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Yes. That was shot for a contest on this website. I came in second.

Thingamajiggy said:

I think you'll be pleased. Have not had any major issues in any of the investarms built ML I've had/have over the years. My current GPR is a good shooter, pleasant and consistent. Had a .50 for years, and currently have a .54. Only issue I've had is with current .54 GPR, had a sharp spot on rifling that was cutting patch. Nothing that a little lapping couldn't take care of.

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I dislike my GPR signature series sights. The pictures on the website were either old or misrepresenting on purpose. I can’t use this thing. Not with my eyesight. I’d like to trade it for a .54 invest arms. I’ll use my old renegade flintlock more than this.

Amok said:

I dislike my GPR signature series sights. The pictures on the website were either old or misrepresenting on purpose. I can’t use this thing. Not with my eyesight. I’d like to trade it for a .54 invest arms. I’ll use my old renegade flintlock more than this.

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I can't speak of your GPR, have no experience with the pedersoli ones. Was simply refering to the ops reference to GPR and my experience with the investarms made ones since no mention of pedersoli was made originally. I hear ya, my eyes aren't the best anymore either, I find the factory sights on my deerstalkers difficult to use, had to buy williams fibre optics for them which helps alot. Don't have the same issue with my GPR or the couple of investarms made 'trade' rifles that I have. I like and can still use the sights on my TC's with no issues as well.

Thanks Dave! I figured it was for protecting the wood on the toe, just wish it wasn’t so sharp

Shawrco said:

Thanks Dave! I figured it was for protecting the wood on the toe, just wish it wasn’t so sharp

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Just take a file to it and touch it up with some cold blue, and you'll be good to go.

@Stykbow a few years ago some of the Italian makers put the actual year on their guns so your gun was probably made in 2021

Here’s my .54 flinter in the brown. My bother and I bought a set and he got the blue one also a flint .54

deerstalkert said:

mine is one of my favorite rifles. it is flintlock .54 and the only time ever that it failed me was when i had my sights on a nice black bear.

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My flinter was finicky too and I was silly enough to take it hunting before I got it figured out. Snuck up on 3 bedded whitetails, aimed at the biggest one, squeezed the set trigger and touched off the front trigger. All I got was a Pfffft with no boom. They laid there until I primed the pan again then decided to take off!

Y2GREY said:

Here’s my .54 flinter in the brown. My bother and I bought a set and he got the blue one also a flint .54

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Very Nice!!!!! At least you can tell them apart that way.

Walt

Shawrco said:

Thanks Dave! I figured it was for protecting the wood on the toe, just wish it wasn’t so sharp

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I've had a few CVAs with damaged toes. Wish they had a plate also.

Walt