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Post by smj617 on Dec 1, 2007 21:44:09 GMT -5
Im thinking of buying a muzzleloader. Ive never used one and am not sure on the .45 cal. or the .50 cal. Which one performs better? Ballistics?
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Post by klsm54 on Dec 1, 2007 22:06:44 GMT -5
If you are lookin' for a deer gun, I'd choose the 50 caliber. The 45 will kill a deer, the 50 just gives you a little more oomph. Are you looking at a traditional or, dare I say, an in-line?...
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Post by deputydon on Dec 1, 2007 22:45:41 GMT -5
Actually I like a 40 Caliber. And it will kill deer just fine. BUT the State of Nebraska being smarter than me , decided after letting us a 40 caliber for a few years,on a 45 caliber minimum. So I guess a 45 is what I'd choose.
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Post by Jack on Dec 2, 2007 0:25:09 GMT -5
I think quite a few states require 50 or larger for deer- and 50 is more common than the smaller bores, so I'd go 50. It's not a matter of the others not working, but you'll be able to find anything you need for a 50 at Wally World or anywhere else- not so sure you would be able to find bullets/sabots/patches, etc for the smaller calibers everywhere.
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bounce
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Post by bounce on Dec 2, 2007 2:06:46 GMT -5
I would go for a .54 if this is your 1st. You just as well start with the best!!! I have used most cal. and .40 and up all work ok but a .54 seams to maxinize every good trait with out starting some of the need for more push to lessen the rainbow curve of the larger ones as ,58 and .62 & ect. Not that they are not ok allso. The .54 just gets the job done best is all.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 2, 2007 12:29:06 GMT -5
I have viewed a muzzleloader as a 100 yard max gun. As long as the bullet hit dead on at 50, it didn't matter that a big 400-500 grain bullet fell about 5" at 100 because you're not going to be shooting that far. To me, a muzzleloader is a 30-50 yard gun --- I've shot more deer with a muzzleloader than a rifle and every single black powder deer has been in that range. Alright, so let's say you have access to shooting in a field and a good rest. Yeah there has been tales of a 200 yard muzzleloader kill with 45's --- I personally think it's foolish. I think 125-150 is the max for the industry --- and in those ranges with the correct bullet, proper sight in, and a proper hold on the deer's back --- you'll never know the difference between a 45 and 54. I've got a rule - I will not be undergunned. And unfortunatly I think the 45 does that. I would never own a 45caliber unless I was shooting a 45cal bullet --- in which case you might as well buy a 50cal and use a sabot because it uses a 45cal I agree with Bounce --- 54 is the best of the 3 major calibers. I think that 100 yards a 54cal round ball is going to do a better job than a 50 caliber (or 45 sabot) bullet. May not be as accurate as a 50cal sabot but it's plenty. I think your decision needs to be based on your buying habbits - do you shop a lot at walmart? Is there a basspro, cabelas, gander, etc that you go to once a year? Do you do a lot of mail order? Assuming you're looking at an inline, I would be shooting either the hornady xtp saboted bullets or full caliber conicals (such as powerbelt or hornady great plains) And I think you go with the heaviest round they make. If you're afraid of availablility, go with 50 cal. It's also a matter of what's more important - a specific caliber or a specific gun. You can always find a 50 in each model of rifle --- not quite true of the other calibers. If you're a woods hunter - 54 If you're more of a field hunting - 50
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Post by Jack on Dec 2, 2007 12:34:35 GMT -5
I consider my cheap ass 50 CVA to be a 150 yard rifle. I've tested it at that range and the groups are quite acceptable. Doesn't mean I'd take an offhand, hurried shot at that range, but, I can hit at that range if given a chance. I put a peep sight on it, and I shoot home cast Minie Balls. Never taken a deer at 150-yet, but I have out to 100. As far as bullet performance, it seems to make no difference- big hole in, big hole out. I know saboted pistol bullets are all the rage, particularly for in lines, but I don't care for them. Just my preference.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 2, 2007 12:46:38 GMT -5
If you're going to go with a 50 caliber sabot (45 grain bullet), I think you have to go with a 300 grain
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bounce
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Post by bounce on Dec 2, 2007 12:50:56 GMT -5
Some guns are rifled for bullets and some are for round ball. Deep rifleling is for round ball. Theis guns are best with around a 1 in 60 twist. Sallow rifleling is for bullet and 1 in 48 or so. Red Your 54 woods and 50 field makes no sence whatever!!!!!!!! No diferance their. And is a 45-70 a 150 yds deer gun? If so what is your muzzy in 50-110 or in 54- 120 ? Just asking.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 2, 2007 12:55:37 GMT -5
Red Your 54 woods and 50 field makes no sence whatever!!!!!!!! No diferance their. I know, I'm just speaking to the contemporary inline muzzleloader hunters because they won't listen to us anyways because of all the wrong information published by the manufacturers and the gun writers on their payroll My comment was more or less what you would read in a magazine There is no difference doesn't make any sense either does it?
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Post by klsm54 on Dec 2, 2007 14:20:41 GMT -5
Red Your 54 woods and 50 field makes no sence whatever!!!!!!!! No diferance their. I know, I'm just speaking to the contemporary inline muzzleloader hunters because they won't listen to us anyways because of all the wrong information published by the manufacturers and the gun writers on their payroll My comment was more or less what you would read in a magazine There is no difference doesn't make any sense either does it? I agreed with Bounce. The 50 caliber for field and 54 for woods made no sense to me. Then I read this post. If you think that I now understand.....you're wrong... I am totally confused now... ;D ;D ;D I too though think that a 54 is the best choice. A 54 round ball is better than a 50 or 45, and if you want to shoot bigger critters than deer you can stuff a 54 with a Great Plains or Maxi Bullet and do some real damage.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 2, 2007 15:03:03 GMT -5
One final attempt to clear it up A 50 and 54 are both great calibers. Honestly you will probably never tell the difference at normal ranges. I just assume have the 54 and that will be my next gun. The "professionals" will discourge the 54 for longer range shooting because of it's trajectory --- afterall faster is better, right? Therefore, they would probably recomend the 54 for a "woods" gun (because it's a bigger more powerful round) and a 50 for a "field / longer range" gun (because it gives a little more ballistic/trajectory advantage). I still say the 45 is worthless.
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Post by deputydon on Dec 2, 2007 16:00:06 GMT -5
I have viewed a muzzleloader as a 100 yard max gun. As long as the bullet hit dead on at 50, Yeah there has been tales of a 200 yard muzzleloader kill with 45's --- I personally think it's foolish. I agree with Bounce --- 54 is the best of the 3 major calibers. HEY THERE Are you callin' me and Bill liars? With a custom built MLer and practice you can shoot past 200 yds. Or are you callin' 2M's and Bounce liars too ? Most likely you could shoot past 100 yds w/ some of the better store brought rifles.
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bounce
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Post by bounce on Dec 2, 2007 17:11:41 GMT -5
He can call me anything he likes DD, But this PROFESSIONAL will allways recomend a .54 as the best over .45 & 50 Likewise over .58 & larger but for slightly differant resion. And I am talking deer hunting only. Though a .54 should do anything!!! And it should not matter if store bought or a T/M's custom It just that .54 is that prime sweet spot in the middle.
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Post by Purebred Redneck on Dec 3, 2007 9:35:15 GMT -5
Most likely you could shoot past 100 yds w/ some of the better store brought rifles. With these inlines, a 100 dollar muzzleloader and an 1000 dollar muzzleloader is going to shoot the same. You just have to find the right bullet.
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