Lyman Deerstalker

[fair-chase]

I have been using my .50 cal lyman deerstalker for about 5 years now and love it. It is by far the best muzzy I have owned. With that being said there are some things I would like to change on it. All of them being in the barrel. The sights are the wedge style (cant remember the proper name) that you have to tap with a hammer to adjust. I would like a barrel that is drilled and tapped for sights instead of this wedge style. Also would love a removable breech plug. I see that the stainless version of the deerstalker comes with a removable breech plug, but I like my blacked out version better. I don't think the deer are all that impressed by shinny barrels.

If anyone knows or could recommend a barrel maker for this project I would appreciate it. I have contacted lyman and they could not really help me. Also the amount of barrel makers on the internet is a little overwhelming to weed through.

[KLRKeith]

I have a Lyman Great Plains Rifle and bought new sights from Dixie Gun works.  They were easy to swap out with a brass tap and small tack hammer.  green mountain barrel company might have something.

[fair-chase]

Thanks Keith, looks like green mountain has exactly what I want. I will give them a call in the morning. Also thinking I might change my twist rate while I'm at it. My deerstalker runs a 1:48 but since I don't ever shoot round balls or conicals I was thinking something along the lines of 1:32 or even 1:24 might be better. I am currently shooting Hornady SST 300 gr. sabots, getting decent results. 1.5" groups at 50 yrds. I cannot group at 100 yrds because my front bead is too large, covers most of the paper. I think I will order a new twist rate and get the truglo peep that I have heard guys on here raving about. Should be a shooter after that is all done.

[boots]

I have a deerstalker in .54 and I like it but have not taken an animal with it yet.

I am not particularly fond of the sights on the gun either. For me, the wedge is located right where my thumb wants to be when the gun is balanced in my hand while hunting, which results in me hitting the sights with my thumb every so often. I just dont like the idea of the sights getting messed with so I am planning to make a sight change after this season.

[bobcat]

I have a 54 caliber Deerstalker, stainless. If it has a removable breech plug I didn't know about it. Sure don't recall reading anything in the manual about that. The stainless version was supposed to have a 1 in 32 twist, and that's what the manual that came with it says it has. But I've seen a lot of conflicting information in regards to the twist rate and finally contacted Lyman customer service and asked them what the twist rate was. They told me it was 1 in 48

So I don't know. One of these days I'll get around to actually measuring it myself so I know for sure. When I first got the gun I ordered the Lyman peep sight so that's what I've had from the beginning. I kept the orginal front sight and the rear sight is just folded down out of the way. 75 yards is about as far as I can shoot targets and get a respectable group, because like you said the front sight covers the target. I'm shooting 330 grain Harvester bullets w/sabots and at 75 yards I can keep them in a 2 inch group.

Have you considered the Lyman peep sight? Here it is:  http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000153090114

While looking I also found this Lyman fiber optic sight which might be another good option:  http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000153090145

[fair-chase]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am not too particular on who manufactures the peep, I just don't like the fact that they are not bolted down. I just don't trust those wedges to stay put.

I contacted green mountain and about half a dozen other barrel makers. None were willing to make exactly what I wanted. I think I will look around a little more before I settle on something that's not 100% what I want.

Bobcat, my owners manual covers both the standard and stainless versions and it states that your breech plug is removable but mine is not. I would defiantly contact Lyman with the serial number before messing with it though. Just too much conflicting info out there. I think the bad info stems from Lyman not actually manufacturing the gun. It gets shipped from Italy and lymans name gets stamped on it.

[bobcat]

How old is your gun/manual? Mine is about 10 years old. Could be that they have changed since then?

The Lyman peep sight is made to fit the Deerstalker. It mounts on the tang. It is attached with two screws using the existing screw holes.

[Curly]

Bobcat, there is that little screw down there on the side of the breach that maybe you can remove and that will allow you to remove the breach plug.........

[bobcat]

Maybe, I'll have to look at the manual tonight.

[fair-chase]

Not at home right now but my manual must be 7 or 8 years at least.

When I do find a barrel maker I am thinking I will have them drill and tap it about half the distance from where the rear sight is now to the "flash pan". I think this will improve accruacy as well. Off hand I am thinking the difference between front and rear sight is 19". If I could extend that a couple more inches results should follow.

This little project might take me a while boys, but I will keep you updated and let you know what the results are. So far I am only into the deerstalker about $180 (bought it used). So the wife is a little more forgiving on this project. If I can get the barrel and sights that I want it should be a great little shooter for uder $500.

[bobcat]

Might be easier to buy a used T/C Renegade and get a Green Mtn barrel for it.   

[fair-chase]

Probrably would be. I just prefer the way the Lyman carries and shoulders in the field over the T/C. I will keep digging around on this one. No rush. Might be a better project for the off season.

[bobcat]

Try asking your question on this message board in the black powder forum:  http://huntingnet.com/forum/

There are some guys on there that really know their stuff.