Lyman deer stalker?

[JasonG]

Anybody hunt with one of these around here? Just curious pros vs cons. Thanks Jason

[luv2hunt]

I had the Deerstalker in a 54 cal but I got rid of it after to many misfires. I used # 11 Magnum caps with loose powder and the only way I could get it to fire every time is to take the nipple out and poor loose powder to the bottom of the threads. For some reason when pouring powder down the barrel the powder doesn't like to turn the corner and make its way close enough to the nipple to ignite. I switched to the knight bighorn and now shoot the disc extreme and couldn't be happier.

[JDHasty]

I have one, but haven't used it much.  Muzzleloader Supply on River Road in Puyallup says this was their #1 seller for the decades before the inclines came out. 

[T-Bone]

I have one, but haven't used it much.  Muzzleloader Supply on River Road in Puyallup says this was their #1 seller for the decades before the inclines came out. 

I bought a .54 cal. Deerstalker with an exceptionally nice figured stock from that shop some years ago. In a period of financial need, I sold it to a pawn shop here in Spokane. Although, I personally liked my T/C Renegade better; I had no issues with it. Like my Renegade, CCI #11 caps and 100 grains of Pyrodex RS Select...No misfires. However, I always have removed the nipple and soaked it in the same lightly soapy, hot water used to clean the barrel; dried it off and looked in the nipple's hole to make sure all clear; prior to a light grease of the threads with BoreButter and re-install.

Yes, I would buy another one. They have a coil spring lock and are well made.

[arifleman]

I had one; ditto LUV2HUNT's experience:  as long you tapped that barrel sideways and got a few granules of powder under the nipple (and I would pull the nipple to verify that before hunting), it would go off every time.  My learning curve on that rifle was steep - cost me a 5 yard shot at a deer with only the cap going off!  I loved the looks and easy carry of that Deerstalker, but ended up with a Knight MK-85.  Can't beat that inline ignition for going boom each time.

[GoexBlackhorn]

Anybody hunt with one of these around here? Just curious pros vs cons. Thanks Jason

Are you a traditionalist? Do you need sidehammer instead of inline?

Nice-Nice gun the Deerstalker. But it's an open ignition and you didn't mention if that's necessary with you.  Everything that fires is closed tight in my T/C Omega and Knight Vision, but not in my Shenandoah side-hammer.

You never mentioned your location under your screen name here. All members here should mention their location, when starting threads & shopping for guns. Some states require sidehammers - some don't. We have no idea where you live.

If I were shopping sidehammers, Lymans are great buys for the dollar spent.

[JasonG]

Issaquah wa

[GoexBlackhorn]

So sidehammer it-is and you made a good choice with the Deerstalker.
I've witnessed them shoot 200-260gr sabots well.

[JasonG]

I actually I'm getting a lyman trade rifle, I got a deal I couldn't pass up.

[Harleysboss]

I shoot a trade rifle in 54cal. Before you load at the range or hunting I suggest you run a patch with some 90% rubbing alcohol down the barrel. Followed up by a couple of dry patches. This clears the barrel of any oils that may be in there from previous cleaning. Then slip a dry patch into the end of the barrel (just barely in) and shoot a cap. The patch should fly out, confirming the flash hole is clean and clear (also dry). As previous suggested, after pouring your powder in, I tap the butt of the gun on the ground 2 - 3 times to settle the powder into the narrow breech area and then tap a couple times leaned sideways slightly towards the lock. I also recommend RWS brand #11 caps (very hot cap).  I have also experimented with the mmp purple 54x50 sabot with a short 50 cal pistol bullet like a 300-325 grn . Not a tack driver but not bad 2" 5 shot groups at 75yds.  Hope this helps your gun go bang each and every time.

[Mudman]

My cousin bought one from the River road store in the 90's.  Well built gun but it did misfire often.  He did everything right but it would still misfire more than it should have.

[JasonG]

Thanks for the info!!

[Sabotloader]

I actually I'm getting a lyman trade rifle, I got a deal I couldn't pass up.

I had both a Deerstalker and the Trade Rifle - I would take the Trade Rifle all day!

[JasonG]

So I picked up the trade rifle today it looks great. I stopped at my favorite ammo store . Three forks ammo. He had some Hornady great plains 425 grain. Anybody shot these?

[T-Bone]

So I picked up the trade rifle today it looks great. I stopped at my favorite ammo store . Three forks ammo. He had some Hornady great plains 425 grain. Anybody shot these?

I've shot those in my Renegade...Good bullet. I believe your Trade Rifle's barrel twist is the same (1 in 48) and it should work fine.