Lyman GPR or Pedersoli Hawken?

Racingsnake · March 3, 2012, 02:03 PM

Hi

I'm new to muzzle loading and like the look of the Pedersoli Hawken and the Lyman GPR. I see the DP rifles are more expensive - is there a big difference in quality?

I'm probably just going to do recreational target shooting - are these two guns a good choice for a starting rifle?

Regards, Racingsnake

wjg686 · March 3, 2012, 02:13 PM

No experience with the Pedersoli, but I love my .54 cal GPR flinter.

Pahoo · March 3, 2012, 02:44 PM

Quote:

is there a big difference in quality?

To answer you question, there is a difference but there certainly is nothing wrong with the Lyman. I would never feel short changed with the GPR. ..

Be Safe !!!

Strafer Gott · March 3, 2012, 02:53 PM

I built my Lyman GPR .50 from a kit, to get a defarb finish. I diamond lapped the barrel. I love the way it shoots. That patent breech and slow twist for prb really makes a nice afternoon cruiser. It shoots well at different loads for target or hunting. I like the muzzle heavy way it hangs in the hands, and the set triggers are a real refinement. It's a little like carrying a crowbar one-handed in the woods, but it is nice and thin at the balance point.

Mr.Guido · March 3, 2012, 06:04 PM

GPR's do not have a "Patent" breech. They have a reduced chamber cut into the breech plug. Some Pedersolis do have a "Patent" breech of sorts, that is they have an actual ante chamber that is communicated to the bore by a narrowed flash channel. This type of breech is much more difficult to determine when it is actually clean.

deerslayer303 · March 3, 2012, 07:33 PM

Don't know much about the D.P. Rifles. I have picked up one in a gun shop and was set back when I flipped the tag over. But they are awesome looking rifle. But my GPR (used from Gun Broker), even though rough around the edges, Shoots like a dream. And as others have stated I really like how muzzle heavy it is, when holding it in an off hand shooting posistion, you can hold it really steady. Good Luck with your choice.

Hawg · March 3, 2012, 07:34 PM

If money was no object I'd go with the Pedersoli but the GPR is no slouch.

arcticap · March 3, 2012, 10:42 PM

The Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken is a heavy gun.
There's nothing wrong with it as a starter gun if you don't mind a 10 pounder.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...3Bcat104701680

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racingsnake

I see the DP rifles are more expensive - is there a big difference in quality?

What's nice about muzzle loading is that price or brand is not the determining factor of how much fun and enjoyment a person will have while firing it. A person can have as much fun firing a $100 gun as he would firing a $1000 gun. The important thing is getting the one that you like, and which feels good and fits good. But the level of accuracy and overall quality is also important to liking a gun. There's always going to be some qualitative differences and trade-offs between models of a different price range. But some of the differences are subjective and difficult to quantify. Most all percussion guns on the market today shoot reasonably well.

Hawg · March 3, 2012, 10:50 PM

It's closer to a real Hawken than the GPR. It has Gemmer style sights on it which are very late.

FrontierGander · March 3, 2012, 11:01 PM

GPR isn't anywhere close to a real hawken but it is a good example of a late plains rifle from the 1860's.

If you got the money for the Pedersoli, add a few bucks and check these out! Fully custom and built one at a time.
http://www.octobercountry.com/produc...-Johnston.html

And this one,
http://www.octobercountry.com/produc...8-Caliber.html

Hawg · March 3, 2012, 11:20 PM

It's about as close as you can get to a Hawken in a reasonably priced production rifle. A lot closer than the TC's etc. Ummm FG, those aren't anywhere near a Hawken

FrontierGander · March 4, 2012, 02:39 AM

nope but they are higher quality and look dang good. Plus you can get a 58cal!

Hawg · March 4, 2012, 08:55 AM

If I spend that kinda money for a Hawken it better by God Resemble a Hawken.

Racingsnake · March 4, 2012, 02:51 PM

Thanks for all your advice. It's given me a lot to work with.

Best regards, Racingsnake

BDM 9MM · March 5, 2012, 02:43 PM

I have owned them both and both are fine guns. The DP Tryon will give you pride of ownership ( I owned the one detailed in silver) as it is a thing of beauty with top notch fit, finish and barrel. Go buy it!!! Are you going to rendezvous? It is a blast - I have been going to rendezvous for a little over 20 years and just love it. Good luck. Dan

Sure Shot Mc Gee · March 5, 2012, 03:51 PM

I take your Threads read, to insinuate? you Sir want to be a Traditionalist Rifle Shooter. If so, there seems to be the consensuses that choosing either is? all about their cosmetics.--Best thing here to do? Why not buy both.

--

Quote:

are these two guns a good choice for a starting rifle?

Absolutely!!

March 3, 2012, 02:03 PM	#1
Racingsnake Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Posts: 153	Lyman GPR or Pedersoli Hawken? Hi I'm new to muzzle loading and like the look of the Pedersoli Hawken and the Lyman GPR. I see the DP rifles are more expensive - is there a big difference in quality? I'm probably just going to do recreational target shooting - are these two guns a good choice for a starting rifle? Regards, Racingsnake

March 3, 2012, 11:01 PM	#10
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	GPR isn't anywhere close to a real hawken but it is a good example of a late plains rifle from the 1860's. If you got the money for the Pedersoli, add a few bucks and check these out! Fully custom and built one at a time. http://www.octobercountry.com/produc...-Johnston.html And this one, http://www.octobercountry.com/produc...8-Caliber.html __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

March 4, 2012, 02:39 AM	#12
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	nope but they are higher quality and look dang good. Plus you can get a 58cal! __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

March 5, 2012, 02:43 PM	#15
BDM 9MM Member Join Date: June 21, 2011 Location: Grand Junction, Co. Posts: 90	I have owned them both and both are fine guns. The DP Tryon will give you pride of ownership ( I owned the one detailed in silver) as it is a thing of beauty with top notch fit, finish and barrel. Go buy it!!! Are you going to rendezvous? It is a blast - I have been going to rendezvous for a little over 20 years and just love it. Good luck. Dan __________________ Dan Bromley NRA Instructor NM Game & Fish Instructor

March 3, 2012, 02:13 PM	#2
wjg686 Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 105	No experience with the Pedersoli, but I love my .54 cal GPR flinter.

March 3, 2012, 02:53 PM	#4
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	I built my Lyman GPR .50 from a kit, to get a defarb finish. I diamond lapped the barrel. I love the way it shoots. That patent breech and slow twist for prb really makes a nice afternoon cruiser. It shoots well at different loads for target or hunting. I like the muzzle heavy way it hangs in the hands, and the set triggers are a real refinement. It's a little like carrying a crowbar one-handed in the woods, but it is nice and thin at the balance point.

March 3, 2012, 06:04 PM	#5
Mr.Guido Member Join Date: May 14, 2009 Posts: 45	GPR's do not have a "Patent" breech. They have a reduced chamber cut into the breech plug. Some Pedersolis do have a "Patent" breech of sorts, that is they have an actual ante chamber that is communicated to the bore by a narrowed flash channel. This type of breech is much more difficult to determine when it is actually clean.

March 3, 2012, 07:33 PM	#6
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: Leesville SC Posts: 2,652	Don't know much about the D.P. Rifles. I have picked up one in a gun shop and was set back when I flipped the tag over. But they are awesome looking rifle. But my GPR (used from Gun Broker), even though rough around the edges, Shoots like a dream. And as others have stated I really like how muzzle heavy it is, when holding it in an off hand shooting posistion, you can hold it really steady. Good Luck with your choice.

March 3, 2012, 07:34 PM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	If money was no object I'd go with the Pedersoli but the GPR is no slouch.

March 3, 2012, 10:50 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It's closer to a real Hawken than the GPR. It has Gemmer style sights on it which are very late.

March 3, 2012, 11:20 PM	#11
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It's about as close as you can get to a Hawken in a reasonably priced production rifle. A lot closer than the TC's etc. Ummm FG, those aren't anywhere near a Hawken

March 4, 2012, 08:55 AM	#13
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	If I spend that kinda money for a Hawken it better by God Resemble a Hawken.

March 4, 2012, 02:51 PM	#14
Racingsnake Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Posts: 153	Thanks for all your advice. It's given me a lot to work with. Best regards, Racingsnake