Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: shorthair15 on July 23, 2011, 10:15:28 PM

Title: lyman deer stalker 54 caliber in stainless
Post by: shorthair15 on July 23, 2011, 10:15:28 PM: i saw one of these on gunbroker in 54 caliber im thinking about buying it . it is in excellent condition. i was going to use it for elk hunting maybe deer. any one have any experience with this rifle. was looking at shooting round balls thru it and conicals forgot to see what the twist rate is. thanks have a few inlines but all ways wanted a traditional rifle to use.
Title: Re: lyman deer stalker 54 caliber in stainless
Post by: bobcat on July 23, 2011, 10:34:28 PM: They're nice rifles- it's exactly the same as mine. It's a 1 in 48 twist, but the stainless version of the deerstalker is made for conicals and sabots. I'm not sure exactly what is different that makes it better for conicals and sabots because the blued Deerstalker is a 1 in 48 twist also. But if I remember correctly the stainless version has shallower grooves. I even emailed Lyman customer service to verify that it was in fact a 1 in 48 twist. And that's what they told me.

I wouldn't buy it for round balls. But if you want to shoot conicals, get it.
Title: Re: lyman deer stalker 54 caliber in stainless
Post by: fair-chase on July 23, 2011, 10:54:56 PM: Quote from: bobcat on July 23, 2011, 10:34:28 PM
They're nice rifles- it's exactly the same as mine. It's a 1 in 48 twist, but the stainless version of the deerstalker is made for conicals and sabots. I'm not sure exactly what is different that makes it better for conicals and sabots because the blued Deerstalker is a 1 in 48 twist also. But if I remember correctly the stainless version has shallower grooves. I even emailed Lyman customer service to verify that it was in fact a 1 in 48 twist. And that's what they told me.

I wouldn't buy it for round balls. But if you want to shoot conicals, get it.

:yeah:

The only other difference that I know of between the black version and stainless is that the stainless has a removable breech plug. I don't find it to be that much of a selling point but just so your aware.

The nipple thread sizing is not as common as most muzzleloaders and you may have to order new ones online because it's fairly rare to find them stocked on a store shelf. Also, I'm not aware of anyone who makes a musket cap nipple to fit these threads. If you were looking to change to those you may want to look into that before hand.

The cheekpeice on the stock is much higher and pronounced than most rifles. While this stock really performs with off hand shooting and target acquisition, it does have a tendency to bite your cheek depending on your shooting form and sights. Changing the rear sight will solve this with most shooters.

With all of that said, this really is my favorite muzzleloader to pack into the woods. It handles remarkably well and is very well suited for west side brush hunting. Even though it's a little on the heavy side (speaking of the black version) it balances very well and handles moving targets better than any of my other muzzleloaders.
Title: Re: lyman deer stalker 54 caliber in stainless
Post by: shorthair15 on July 23, 2011, 11:31:02 PM: thanks i will look for the blued version instead. i have some round balls and stuff for a traditional. i will look for the one who shoots round balls and conicals. i was looking for a 54 is there any advantage over the 50.
Title: Re: lyman deer stalker 54 caliber in stainless
Post by: fair-chase on July 23, 2011, 11:39:59 PM: I think the twist rate and barrel length are not really conducive to using round balls but you could give it a try. Round balls typically like a longer barrel and slower twist rate. :twocents:

I really don't think that there is enough of a difference between the stainless and black versions to make a decision based on performance. Just purely aesthetics. Which ever one looks best to you should be the one you go with because the differences are so minimal.
Title: Re: lyman deer stalker 54 caliber in stainless
Post by: shorthair15 on July 24, 2011, 12:07:54 AM: may go with this gun in stainless will see. could try hornandy great plains in it or some of the tc bulets as well. what do you think the effective range is on these i dont get to many long shots were i hunt but i always sight in my guns for a 100 yds.
Title: Re: lyman deer stalker 54 caliber in stainless
Post by: bobcat on July 24, 2011, 08:35:32 AM: Lyman doesn't recommend round balls in the stainless Deerstalker. Effective range with the Deerstalker is probably as far as you can hit your target. For me that is 100 yards. I prefer 50 to 75 yards though. The T/C Maxi Balls should work well in the stainless version. Here are the specs of Lyman muzzleloader barrels:
Title: Re: lyman deer stalker 54 caliber in stainless
Post by: shorthair15 on July 24, 2011, 10:02:10 AM: yeh i dont shoot more than a 100 yds as well. i shot my pt 4 bull last year at about 70 yds. yes i was thinking the tc maxi balls would work good out of this gun. i looked at a lyman trade rifle as well. dont know much about the trade rifle. thanks for the specs. that is a nice looking deer in the picture you have to the right. looks like a mulie.