Lyman Great Plains Rifle 

I have a 54 cal Hawken muzzle-loader that was passed down to me from my dad. It was a kit gun he received for his birthday. It's a beautiful rifle. I'll pass it down to one of my grandsons eventually.

Hickok, You've always reminded me of my dad. Which is part of the reason why I enjoy your videos. Well sadly my dad just passed. As a result, you're videos just became a lot more significant to me. Watching them has become similar to seeing him in a family movie. It's silly I admit but regardless I appreciate it. Thank you.

I retired from the US Army Infantry, and never owned a rifle, but I have been missing shooting and even cleaning a rifle. I recently purchased a traditions deerhunter percussion 1/48 twist. Love your black powder videos. Thanks for all the information you put out.

Jeremiah Johnson made his way into the mountains, bettin on forgettin all the troubles that he knew... Great Movie!

You're a great representative of this sport; thank you for all you do my friend!

You almost need the hearing protection just for the cicadas alone.

Incredible. How this gentleman talks interesting facts and history while loading that old gun, and then just - bam! - hits the target from long range like it’s nothing. Immense respect to you, Sir! Hat off

I always put a patch on the ramrod with a little water on the patch and ram the patch all the way to the bottom of the barrel. I have been shooting and hunting with black powder rifles for over 50 years. Never had anything like an accidental ignition of any powder left in the barrel. The wet patch is rammed to the bottom of the barrel and left there for 10 seconds while rotating the ramrod back and forth. My grandfather taught me this. He was born in 1881 and hunted with black powder firearms only. He never owned a cartridge gun that I know of. He also never had a misfire of any kind according to him of course! Anyone who loves black powder shooting or hunting should do this. Flintlock or Cap Lock it doesn't matter.

What I wouldnt give for a range like that!

I see a lot of comments complaining about the cicadas. Personally, I like them. It's a pleasant sound. Also, cap-and-ball weapons have easily the highest number of unintentionally-funny terms relating to them of any other object invented by man.

Had a Lyman Great Plains Rifle in .50 caliber some years ago. A very well made and solid firearm. Won several matches with it at our local 'black powder/muzzleloader' club and took a deer with it. Sold it years ago to finance purchase of another muzzleloading rifle but realized what a well made firearm my example of the Lyman Great Plains Rifle was and I regret selling it. I believe the Lyman lock uses a coil mainspring as opposed to the 'traditional' flat spring used in most other percussion locks, and that is one of the things that set it apart and made it very reliable and sturdy. The Lyman rifle is rather plain and understated (no shiny brass furniture) but that is one of the attractions of it.

I think I've seen all of the H45's... For me, the best work to date. Thanks for letting us channel your middle school class with the early giggle lecture. Hickok was like a kid in a candy store once he got a hold of that rifle and Big John's camera work was spot on! Thanks guys.

Love the Lyman .54cal flintlock

"I'm generally not in combat with a muzzleloader." Good one!

hickok45 would host the Best damn PBS show I always wanted, but never had.

Your Hawken is a beauty, so discreet, even a touch of sinister elegance with all her darkened parts... and her deep song, resonating through the trees... one of the best poems I've ever listened to. Again, what a beauty! My Kentucky, my Hawken 50 and I want to give you both our best wishes. Thanks for that great video, dear Hickok.

Not a DiCaprio fan, but "The Revenent" is pretty good.... Especially the bear....

I loved learning about this rifle! I really liked how you explained everything about the loading, shooting and the history too. Thank you for making this video.

This fella has some of the best videos and gun reviews on line. Thanks

my dad and i were never very close growing up. i'm in my forties now. thinking how lucky your son and you are, sharing this nice hobby through the years. M

That 60fps is so beautiful. It's even better than real life...

What a beauty!

Those cicadas are a Southern thing. The sound of summer in the Old South. The hotter it gets, the faster the pitch.

Hickok45, you are the best. Thanks for teaching me so much about firearms. I’m a greenhorn when it comes to this, and your lessons and showcases are really really helpful and entertaining. Much love from Texas! ❤️

I've had my GPR for about a year and a half and absolutely love it. Had a T/C but the Lyman's are better in my opinion. Definitely the best value for the money. Great vid Hickock!!

I stole one of these years ago for a mere $50. I can't believe I sold it. Fun little rifle.

I just picked up a 54 cal Thompson Center Hawken. Your videos have been a wealth of knowledge for me for years, but the info on these old BP guns has been invaluable. Thank you sir, and good evening from a fellow middle-Tennessean.

I used to own a T/C greyhawk . caliber... You brught back some good old memories.. Thanks

"I don't care if you're hungry, or on your way to eat." That's the beauty of the "Pause" button.

Years ago I built a Thompson Center 54 caliber Hawken style. I browned it in the oven and made molds for 54 balls and a 54 mini ball that weighed about 400 grains. I used pyrodex cause it was a little cleaner, but just as much fun to shoot. It was accurate and I liked it because it had a more modern adjustable sight. I haven't shot it in years but your video reminded me to get it out. Thanks

I have the .54 cal plains rifle kit that I bought and built in 1975. It has brass hardware and patchbox and the stock is European walnut. It was such a nice woodgrain, didn't stain it but left it in its natural color with 8 coats of spar varnish and linseed oil; it's beautiful. The owner of the local muzzleloading shop said it was one of the best builds he had seen. The gun is very accurate at 100 yards and I still have the rifle today.

Hey again Hickok45 Thank you for all the fun and educational videos. Wishing you and your family a safe and Joy filled Christmas.

Early generation Hawkens were full stock Flintlocks. Those were all eaten, destroyed by wilderness with none known to exist other than one that was converted to cap and is rumored to be Beckwourths Hawken. The ones that you see such as this one, with a cap can ball existed later during the end of the fur trade era. The early Mountain Men such as Hugh Glass, Jim "OG" Bridger and Osborne Russell, carried Flintlocks during the pre-1837 time period. Caps were unavailable out on the frontier and more prone to fail due to weather. If a trapper fell in a creek, every cap was shot-done-gone, whereas he could dry his powder out. The cap technology was the shortest serving firearm technology there was really. The Flint was the primary ignition mechanism for nearly 300 years. Even after the introduction of the cap, many preferred the flint.

I got my Hawkens rifle from Hatchet Jack. Found him frozen to a tree. It's a good rifle and killed the bear that killed him...

Can't get enough of your fantastic vids Mr H..,it's was a great start to my Sunday morning here in Melbourne.. Thanking you Sir & ofcourse John.

Thank YOU Hickok for making videos that my 4 and 7 year old's can watch with me.

Re:@19:33 the crescent shaped butt. My understanding (which could be mistaken) is that the crescent shaped butt is very intentional for the Hawken rifle. The rifle is not held to the shoulder in the traditional manner - that is pressed against your shoulder/chest. Instead the crescent butt is meant to be hooked into the arm pit and hook around your shoulder and/or upper arm. If you place this style of rifle butt flat up against your shoulder as you would a traditional style of rifle, yes, it will hurt! But that is because that is not how you shoulder this type of stock. Again also my understanding the reason (one of the reasons?) for the crescent shaped butt is to make it easier to support the rifle. The Hawken is front heavy. "Hooking" the stock into your armpit helps to steady the rifle. Another great video Hickok. I have the "GPR" in a flintlock - love the rifle, but no doubt that crescent stock can be tough to get the hang of. Peace.

Great as always hickok, keep up those 60fps videos, and the great firearms!

I started shooting a Pedersolli Flintlock .50 cal. I love shooting black powder. It took me awhile to get the hang of it as there isnt many people i know using them. Videos like yours are how i learned to shoot. Thanks again for making these helpful videos

Smoke pole season is by far my favorite hunting season. Glad to see you have gotten one.

How well does that rifle work on the Cicadas??

Du you adopt people if they ask you?

Several years ago I ordered this rifle in a kit. It was fairly easy to build and I browned all the hardware on it. It was a :50 cal., and shot really well. I ordered the flintlock version. I bought my son one in cap lock. He sent it to Log Cabin Sports Shop in Lodi, Ohio and they fixed it till it can be used as a cap lock or a flintlock just by removing the drum and screwing in a touch hole and changing the lock. Very authentic rifle.

I have a Browning Mountain Rifle very similar to this and love it. Very underrated gun segment imo

I love my GPR if you do your part she'll put it where you aim. It was my dads and when he got it he took all the bluing off and browned it.

Nothing like the smell of black powder. :)

Thank you Mr Hickok45 very much

i never get tired of listening to him and learning stuff, u_u i wish my grandpa was like this.

Hey, Hickock you should try to get your hands on a .700 Nitro Express double rifle!

Damn. When i pause the video in the middle of it my ears are ringing from the (cricket?) sound. But very nice rifle.

Probably the best start to any video I have ever seen.

Very interesting, I appreciate you showing every step of the reloading process.

Hickok, your Tennessee bugs are almost as loud as our North Carolina bugs...

Thanks for this video! I shoot a .54 caliber flintlock Great Plains Rifle I built from a kit. I cast my own balls and knap my own flints. I'm Texan - there's no prettier sound than the Cicadas.

Outstanding on showing the Lyman Great Plains, I have owned and shot mine for over 20 years, I have a Traditions Hawkin as well, but the Lyman just speaks to me!

I have a lyman gpr. With a flintlock. Absolutely love it!

When you tote one of these around, you realize what a bunch of wussies we have become.

"middle age" of gun was GREAT... One shot - one bullet - one chance Not like today... ~ 16000 ammo ( 5,56 or 7,62 ) to eliminate ONE enemy :-)

You are by far my favorite gun channel. Seems like most of the others are mostly into "tactical" stuff and/or politics. I love guns of all kinds. I have a .50 cal Lyman Trade Rifle, percussion cap version. Mine is the single trigger model. I love shooting it, but unlike you, I don't have such a beautiful place to shoot. I have to drive almost 100 miles round trip to get to a place to shoot that is not a commercial range. You have an ideal setup for a gun enthusiast. I am very envious.

i love how these are filmed 1st person when firing. great videos

You should demonstrate dry-ball removal methods sometime.

Was that 1870 when you owned the gun?

Another well researched and highly informative presentation. Always enjoy your enthusiasm for the art of shooting, and your emphasis on safe operation and respect for properly harnessing and appreciating the capabilities of every firearm you handle. Great stuff, and thank you again!

Good to see your channel back up!! I was not a happy camper this morning when it was shut down. You Rock!!

Hickok, What's the twist rate on that rifle?

Come On Hickok, RELOAD FAST. I want to see some RAPID FIRE shooting. HaHa Luv Ya

Mr. Hickok, I bought a replacement ramrod for my Lyman GPR. It is a Tresco. I got the one for the earlier rifles (like your first one) where the ramrod is a 1/2 too long. But this allowed to to slide on a brass bore protector and be able to leave it on. Its out of the way shooting as well. I like the Tresco because both ends are concave which allows to pull the ramrod up and push the ball down without having to flip the ramrod around. And my bore protector slides down in position perfectly. The ramrod tips are iron with rivets which are astoundingly strong for loading, cleaning, and even pull out the occasional dry ball. I absolutely love the fact I do not have to flip my ramrod around and I am able to protect the fifling at the muzzel. I bought the ramrod 32.5 on Ebay for $20 including taxes and shipping and my 3/8 brass bore protector for $5. Another neat addition I installed is a $5 brass flash cup. This keeps are the fouling from getting all over the barrel and stock and a $5 flush nipple with hose. I shoot at least twice a week with anywhere from 30 to 40 rounds each time and I can clean it this way in less than 15 minutes. However, I still removal barrel and every 3rd shooting. I enjoy cleaning my guns just as well as shooting them. I only wish I could had gotten the flash cup and barrel/muzzle protector in iron to match the gun. I enjoy your videos. THank you for all of your hard work. Sincerely, James Sparhawk from NC.

I love watching your videos. Informative and entertaining! I get to see weapons that I will probably never get to use. Love the history. Thanks for sharing with us!

Can anyone with reloading experience tell me what result i should be ready for when i load a cartridge made out of a soda can with a capgun cap as primer and matchpowder with an aluminion foil bullet and all of this shot from a short pipe from a local junkyard? Other than this being a bomb of course.

do the cap and ball require FFL dealer to buy ?

Awesome video hickok, thanks for sharing a discipline thats rarely seen, i loved it!

Just bought one the other day. Thank you for the advice HickOk .45. GREAT VIEW.

Always good! Always full of historical value.

Enjoyed the Lyman Great Plains Rifle video. I've owned one in 50 cal. for about 25 years. I shoot conicals in mine and switched from 2F blackpowder to Hodgen Triple 7 which I find to shoot very well with much better ignition than Pyrodex. Mine likes 240 grain 45 cal.XTP sabots over 80 grains of Triple7 or equally well the 285 grain Great Plains 50 cal. lead bullet over 85 grains of Triple 7. Great Rifle that I enjoy shooting and have taken a lot of deer with.

Yep I had the Thompson of that and I had the Thompson Contender love them both

I put together a Lyman Great Plains Pistol Kit in .54 Cal, I am in love with it. With 40 gr of 777 and a 230 gr RB it will hang with many modern medium magnums without the snappy recoil. Though its not made for it, its still really accurate with a paper patch mini ball in it . The accuracy is extreme with the pistol. I will be getting the rifle to go with it soon.

Thanks again for another great video, I have been looking at getting into black powder and this rifle. You have just confirmed how great the Lyman is. This is next on my list.

I, too, had a Thompson-Center Hawken in .50 cal - bought it shortly after I returned home from the Army - but lost it in pawn when i hit tough times after i relocated to Florida in '79...stoopid me!!!

I got my .54 caliber Great Plains Rifle December 1979, $154.95, not a kit. Fit & finish is excellent, barrel & furniture is browned. I love it! They used to be made by Investarm in Italy, I see now they are being made by Davide Pedersoli.

I nearly dropped my phone in shock when I saw this was the most recently uploaded video. I had been looking into black powder guns, specifically looking at the Traditions rifles...then got to handle the Lyman Great Plains rifle at my local gun shop...I'm set on the Lyman now. Excellent upload, and as always, thank you.

Thanks for the video! I'm currently building the Lyman Great Plains Rifle in the 50 cal. version. It was a gift to me some 15+ years ago when I didn't have the means or place to work on it and had since forgotten about it. I ran across it a couple of weeks ago and started working on it. Just blued the barrel last night. I was looking for a video on inserting and adjusting the sights when I came across your video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and info.

I learned from my father a small amount of pan power(fine black powder) will clear a dry ball easy. Living in New England we always put a little powder under the nipple when hunting in winter, gives you a better flash in wet environment.

I love the movie Jeremiah Johnson. That's what inspired me to get the T/C version of this rifle 15 years ago. Believe it or not Mr Hickok I have hit 55 gallon drums 150 yards away with it.

"You're generally not in mortal combat with a muzzle loader." hahahaha I love Hickok

I have the Great Plains Hunter in .50 caliber, my grandpa gave it to me and love it

Another interesting history lesson. Thanks Hickok!

I have a CVA Wolf .50 muzzleloader and it's one if the best guns I have. Its super accurate and it was really cheap for the great quality I got from it.

bought a lyman in mid 70s while stationed at ft hood, TX. .45 cal with rifling for a maxi ball but was pretty accurate with round ball and 65 gr powder. I used 3f mostly because that's what the gun store carried

I shoot an Austin Halleck Flint Mountain Rifle in .50, these old style rifles are more accurate than most people think. Thanks for the vid!

I am finding the black powder videos much more entertaining at the moment. the history and the craftsmanship of the guns are much more interesting than polymer, massed produced clones. Keep up the great work H.

Its all a great part of our history for sure. I like the smoke too ! Thanks hickok45

I own that rifle in .50 cal and I love it and your right they great fun to load and shoot

Beautiful rifle you have there. I had a 50 cal Thompson centre mountain rifle loved using it.

thank you for that very informative video, lots of good demos and highlights. .

I've got a Lyman deerstalker I use for muzzleloader deer season here in the NW. Octagonal stainless steel barrel and fiber optic sights. Great shooting rifle.

Great video, love it. Just went out and ordered this rifle. Just have to wait a few months for it to arrive here in Australia. Can't wait. Keep up the great work.

That is an absolutely gorgeous rifle!

built a gun like this from a kit, love this rifle, it is awesome and accurate as hell

You have amazing videos as well as teaching people Safety I would have to say that you are Prior Military! If you have never been in the Military you would have been an Expert shooter for sure Thank You for all your videos, Jimmy Groh from Michigan!

I have wanted a Hawken .50 cal since I was in kindergarten and watched Jeremiah Johnson with my dad.