Yet an economical (under $800) and authentic Hawken-style replica-in flintlock or percussion ignition-can be found in Lyman’s Great Plains rifle. Today, an authentic-looking copy of a half-stock plains rifle could easily cost a blackpowder shooter four figures.

Louis, Missouri, became the standard long gun well into the 1860s and beyond. The half stock, turned out by renown rifle smiths such as the Hawken brothers in St. Early guns had full-length stocks like the Eastern rifles, but a half-stock rifle turned out to be ideal for work in Western environs. 50 caliber and larger, were what frontiersmen needed to take out many of the game animals encountered out West. These stockier, less ornate front loaders of bigger bores, like the. Furthermore, much Western travel was accomplished via horseback, thus requiring a heavier and sturdier-built longarm.Įnter the plains rifles. Even game like the elk needed more power to bring down more surely then available in most of the Eastern rifles. They quickly found that while such arms were practical for foot travel and the game found back East, this Western region abounded with bigger and more dangerous animals, such as the ferocious grizzly and buffalo. This classic muzzleloader offers such high quality features as a 32″ barrel with 1 in 60″ twist for patched ball and hunting loads, double set triggers, Hawken style percussion snail with clean out screw, separate ramrod entry thimble and nose cap, and reliable coil spring lock with correct lock plate.When the first explorers of the early 19th century ventured west beyond the Mississippi River, they carried long, slender and somewhat delicate medium-bore Pennsylvania-style rifles. No other factory assembled rifle or kit offers the authentic style and design of Lymans Great Plains Rifle. Today, as in the 1800s, the experienced black powder shooter is looking for a very special rifle. Only the best and most reliable designs and finest workmanship were acceptable. This Great Plains rifle was designed and built by such famous makers as Hawken, Gemmer and Demick to the specifications of experienced backwoodsmen. The rifle carried across the Great Plains by western pioneers and fur trappers was the culmination of percussion firearms development.

Lyman great plains rifle in stock