Cabelas Hawkins or Lyman Plains?

[MountainDevil54]

what causes those lymans to misfire is the fact that the powder channel is very small and Pyrodex RS, American Pioneer, Triple 7 powder is bulky and clogs up the powder channel and does not allow it to flow under the nipple. Which to a finer grade of sub powder like 3f or pyrodex P. Goex 2f has no trouble like this because its smaller in granulation and is the real stuff which goes BANG. Not pop,boom.

[Gobble]

I too have a Lyman Trade rifle in .54 cal, Its a great gun, Yours looks great!

[Sabotloader]

The bore is awesome, I don't think it was ever shot before. I finally got to shoot it yesterday and it was a blast! I think I'm going to put a musket nipple on it though cause it wasn't very consistent on ignition. I had misfires, hang fires, and everything in between . But that's part of it I guess. I used the CCI #11 magnum caps the Sabotloader likes, but it was about 50% on ignition. When I cleaned it, I got a little brown oily stuff on the first few patches as well as the gunk from the powder which makes me think it hadn't been shot before? Seemed like the stuff they put on metal to protect it from rusting? I also noticed the wooden ram rod was perfect before I shot and now it has a few scuff marks. It was pretty accurate out to around 50 yards when it went off. Maybe now that its clean it will be a little more reliable? I don't think I'll hunt with it until I can make sure its more consistent on ignition, but I would love to shoot a deer with it! I put 20 rounds through it and I only ran 2 or 3 spit patches the whole time. It was pretty easy to load every time too. I'm using .495 round balls and lubed patches, but I don't know how thick the patches are? I think a thicker patch may be better to get a tighter fit but, being new to patch and ball, I'm not quite sure? Guess I'll just have to shoot a lot more to find out

Can you get the small clean-out screw in the bolster and under the nipple out?  If that will come out you can get a very good look at the flash channel to the powder.  Make sure that is clear.

Also when you pour the powder in - lean the rifle to favor the hammer side of the rifle and after 5-10 grains of powder are down - Tap the side of the ML on the opposite side of the hammer.  This should cause some of the powder to slide out under the nipple, which will probably fix your reliability problem.

I shoot T7-3f in all of my sidle locks including my Trade Rifle  - really after I stopped using Musket caps I have not had any problems.

[C-Money]

Nice find! looks like a great rifle for an excellent price!

[jaymark6655]

what causes those lymans to misfire is the fact that the powder channel is very small and Pyrodex RS, American Pioneer, Triple 7 powder is bulky and clogs up the powder channel and does not allow it to flow under the nipple. Which to a finer grade of sub powder like 3f or pyrodex P. Goex 2f has no trouble like this because its smaller in granulation and is the real stuff which goes BANG. Not pop,boom.

Like Sabotloader said, load powder into rifle, lean to nipple side, hit side of rifle with bullet started a few whacks to get the powder under the nipple, then load your bullet.  I use RS and had some loads not go off before I starting doing this.

BTW real nice looking rifle. 

[erk444]

Wow, thanks for all the input guys I did get the screw out and cleaned the channel really well with a bottle brush. I think the finer powder idea is gonna make all the difference. I'll stick with the #11s and give that a try. I did start tapping my barrel and that may have helped a little, but I think the main problem is I didn't clean the gun first. I bet it will be a lot better next time with everything I've learned here. Thanks!

[MountainDevil54]

Yep finer grade powder like 3f WILL help you out a lot.

Lyman/Investarms breech plug design shows you why the larger granule powders clog up the bolster and do not flow under the nipple.


CVA at least with their bolster set up, created a funnel shape bolster when they drill/tap it into the barrel. This helps greatly with the powder flowing a lot more consistently.

[Sabotloader]

Wow, thanks for all the input guys I did get the screw out and cleaned the channel really well with a bottle brush. I think the finer powder idea is gonna make all the difference. I'll stick with the #11s and give that a try. I did start tapping my barrel and that may have helped a little, but I think the main problem is I didn't clean the gun first. I bet it will be a lot better next time with everything I've learned here. Thanks!

I am hoping you are using #11 Mag Caps not regular #11's the are a bit weak on heat and pressure.  Another great alternative is the RWS 1075+