Lyman Trade Rifle vs Traditions Hawken Woodsman

D

diomedesbc

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
9   0   0
Location
Calgary, AB
I'd like to try out muzzle loading percussion and want to start with a relatively cheap rifle. I've narrowed it down to either the Lyman Trade Rifle or Traditions Hawken Woodman at Wholesale sports. Any thoughts? I like the patch pocket on the Traditions.
Elwood Epps has a used TC Hawken for sale which looks tempting also.

Any blackpowder shooters in Calgary who could show a rookie how to shoot one of these things? :)
 
The TC is your best choice in terms of workmanship and materials although the Lyman Trade Rifle is, IMHO, well made and lots of fun (got both. :) )

You'll find that the adustable sights on the TC will be more convenient when zeroing your rifle. The Trade Rifle that I have came with one very rudimentary fixed and one simple adjustable rear sight. The fixed sight (on my rifle) shot way too low and required some "monkeying around" (took it off and built it up with a MIG welder) to hit POA. Once done, though, it's been great.

There's a magazine called "Blackpowder Guns and Hunting" that you may want to track down( h ttp://www.bpghmag.com/ ). It's a good source of basic information if you're completely new to black powder. Also, the Lyman manual dedicated to black powder shooting is a good source (you'll probably find it at Wholesale Sports in Calgary).
 
Last edited:
I have the Trade rifle in .54 and like it a lot. I also have a Lyman Deerstalker in .50 that I have been using for the past 16 years, and think it is an excellent hunting rifle. Shooters Choice in Ontario has a used .54 Deerstalker with a small crack in the stock for $150.
 
Depends on what you will be shooting conicals or patched round ball . if patched round ball the great plains rifle with the 1in60 twist is better I believe the trade rifle has 1in48 twist so will shoot both but not as good for patched round balls as 1in60 twist muzzel loaders with a twist rate of 1in24 will only shoot sabots well.
 
I guess the main purpose for this gun is targets and just good old fashioned fun. I like to take friends and family out teach them a few things and it would be a good history lesson with an old muzzle loader.
I am open to other rifles, I just liked the idea of trying it out cheaply so if I find I don't like it then it doesn't set me back too much. But I guess if you're already spending $350, what's another one or two hunded!

I wonder how much harder it is to operate and fire a flintlock than a percussion?
 
I bought my great plains from wholesale sports they are 499.00 you may find a decent muzzel loader at the thorncliff gun show used but hard to know the rate of twist unless its marked a flint lock is just as accurate in theory but I call them flinch locks takes a bit of getting used to and lots of practice I have a cheaper safari arms 50 cal and it shoots very well rate of twist is 1in48 . but does not clover leaf like the great plains you can of course spend more green mountain barrels are nice .
 
Thanks for the input, picked up a Lyman Trade Rifle in percussion at Wholesale today. They didn't have really anything in percussion for Traditions in stock. Looks pretty good. Now to read the manual.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom