.54 caliber in 15/16 or 1 Barrel?

[Hawken2012]

I am going to have a Leman style rifle built in .54 caliber with a 34" long Green Mountain barrel for hunting whitetails.  I have the option of using a 15/16" or 1" across the flats straight barrel.  I am leaning towards the 15/16" because I think it will make for a better balanced rifle and a lighter gun to carry when hunting.  My usual deer hunting load is 75 grains of FFF with a .530 ball and most shots are taken within 50 yards.  With all of the Lyman GPR out there in .54 cal with 15/16" barrels, I wouldn't think that the thinner barrel would be a safety factor, but would the 1" barrel give better accuracy? 

What  I'm asking... is there any reason NOT to get the Green Mountain .54 caliber barrel in 15/16"  Thanks guys! 

[alacran]

The difference in weight between a 15/16 and a one inch barrel is not significant enough to worry about. I rally don't know much about Lehman specifics. If I was going to have one built I would want it to be as historically accurate as possible. If they typically had 1 inch barrels that is what I would use. If Lehman used a different width barrels, I might go with a 15/16th.
Length of barrel will make a more significant weight and balance difference than thickness of barrel.
If you build a rifle with a 36 inch barrel in either 15/16 or 1 inch acf. You will have a heavy rifle.

[Ky-Flinter]

Hawken,

The difference between a 15/16" and a 1" x 34" barrel in .54 caliber will be right at 1 pound. 4.81 lbs. vs. 5.78 lbs.

What  I'm asking... is there any reason NOT to get the Green Mountain .54 caliber barrel in 15/16"  Thanks guys!

In my opinion, no.

-Ron

[45-110]

consider a tapered barrel.....1" to 15/16" would be a fine handling rifle for hunting. I had an original straight barrel Leman once, I did not like the way it handled too much.
kw

[varsity07840]

My Leman is a flint full stock Indian Trade version. It has a 30" 1 1/6th" .54 cal barrel. A great handling hunting rifle.

[Bob Roller]

I am going to have a Leman style rifle built in .54 caliber with a 34" long Green Mountain barrel for hunting whitetails.  I have the option of using a 15/16" or 1" across the flats straight barrel.  I am leaning towards the 15/16" because I think it will make for a better balanced rifle and a lighter gun to carry when hunting.  My usual deer hunting load is 75 grains of FFF with a .530 ball and most shots are taken within 50 yards.  With all of the Lyman GPR out there in .54 cal with 15/16" barrels, I wouldn't think that the thinner barrel would be a safety factor, but would the 1" barrel give better accuracy? 

What  I'm asking... is there any reason NOT to get the Green Mountain .54 caliber barrel in 15/16"  Thanks guys!

I would not be afraid of a GM 15/16 in .54 caliber. If I'm not to far off,I think they make these
black powder barrels from a material that is modified at the mill for such uses. I THINK it's called
1137M.The next thing is a breech plug.
I don't know about difference in accuracy.There is MATCH rifle accuracy and then there is minute
of deer,bear or whatever accuracy.I would stock it like a shotgun,no crescent butt plate.

Bob Roller

[Kevin Houlihan]

I’ve had 2 Green Mountain barrels in 15/16” X .54. They were both tack drivers. One was percussion and one was flint. No reason at all not to get one.
Kevin Houlihan

[P.W.Berkuta]

I am going to have a Leman style rifle built in .54 caliber with a 34" long Green Mountain barrel for hunting whitetails.  I have the option of using a 15/16" or 1" across the flats straight barrel.  I am leaning towards the 15/16" because I think it will make for a better balanced rifle and a lighter gun to carry when hunting.  My usual deer hunting load is 75 grains of FFF with a .530 ball and most shots are taken within 50 yards.  With all of the Lyman GPR out there in .54 cal with 15/16" barrels, I wouldn't think that the thinner barrel would be a safety factor, but would the 1" barrel give better accuracy? 

What  I'm asking... is there any reason NOT to get the Green Mountain .54 caliber barrel in 15/16"  Thanks guys!

I've made quite a few 32 to 34 inch 15/16 barreled 50 & 54 caliber plains style rifles that were used for hunting and they made into fine rifles - not too heavy and not too light. The customers that bought them were very happy with them. Some of the barrels were made by Jerry Cunningham of Orion Rifle Barrel Co.,Kalispell, Montana and were tapered and some were not. He is no longer in business.

[ericxvi]

  I will second the recommendation on the Green Mountain barrels.
I built a Leman using a 7/8" x 50 cal x 36' long GM barrel. It is the best grouping rifle I own, not too light, not too heavy.

[Davemuzz]

I just complete in 2018 my Leman build. I used the GM 15/16" .54 caliber 36" barrel and find it balances just fine. I'm shooting 85gr FFF with a PRB.

My first range outing produced this 100 yard from a bench grouping with the above load:


I certainly agree with one of the above post on NOT using the HC Leman buttplate. Those jabs in the shoulder can leave black 'n blue marks!!  I modified my Leman buttplate as the below pic shows. There is plenty of metal it that top section that you can remove if you like. I wanted to keep the Leman style buttplate as it's width\length worked very well with the dimensions of the slender butt of the Leman.


First deer outing.....first (and last) shot. Deer was only 30-35 yards away.


Lemans were build, and I can only assume modified to the owners preferences. I like my rifle....it was a learning experience to build and even more fun to shoot!!

[Herb]

Top rifle is a copy of the Kit Carson Hawken, but with a 15/16" .54 caliber H&H barrel.  It is lighter than the bottom rifle, same thing but with a 1" .54 GRRW barrel, if I remember right.  I built them both, each has a barrel 31 1/16" long ahead of the snail.

50 Yard targets I shot while adjusting my sights for zero.

I killed this mule deer buck at 62 yards with an off-hand shot.  At 85 years (then), I need lighter rifles.  Even then, I have to shoot with my elbow in my ribs for support.


I doubt I could build a more accurate .54 Hawken than this one with a 15/16" H&H barrel, and I do a lot of test shooting from a bench rest.  I think the weight is insignificant for accuracy.

[gusd]

Herb , Great looking Hawken rifles!
Nice mule deer! Is that in Utah?
Gus

[Davemuzz]

God Bless you Herb!!  It's great to see a man your age out 'n about slinging lead with a primitive firearm!!!

[Herb]

Yes, Gusd, that is Utah.  Dave, I sling a lot of lead, almost all at targets on my range.  The deer and antelope only take one shot each- and I can't get into the elk.

[Hawken2012]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to provide feedback, it is greatly appreciated! 

Herb, you are an inspiration to all!