Traditional Muzzleloading Association
Traditional Firearms => Caplock Long Guns => Topic started by: Dalebow on March 14, 2020, 01:49:19 PM
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45vs50cal?
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45vs50cal?
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Small game, varmint, and deer size game, (Not Elk Size) along with target shooting - IMHO the .45 covers all that.
Varmint, and deer size game (Not Elk Size), and target shooting - a .50 cal is very good choice. (More forgivable using both 2fg & 3fg Black Powder, and bucks the wind better) and in a pinch I'd go for a Rabbit's head if'n I were hungry...
Just my opinion... :shake
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For a hunting rifle, first check with your local fish and game regs. That's the bottom line. No use getting all worked up over a nice .45, only to find it is not legal for what you want to do.
As far as paper punching goes, it don't take much to poke a hole through a sheet of paper, but it does take some oomph to knock over a bear at 200 yards when you are shooting silhouettes. Personally, I prefer a .54 for all of my shooting. Well I lied there, I do like a .62 for deer size game and a .72 for elk and larger, but you did ask about a .45 vs a .50. That's just me.
If I had to make a choice between the .45 and the .50, I would probably choose the .50.
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All he above being said, I know more fellas that have taken Elk here in WA state with a .50 roundball than any other caliber, as always a well placed shot is whats needed, took my first Elk with a 50 T/C Hawken, sold that one and picked up a 54 due to the fact that it was cheap and have hunted with that the last 12 years, now I know a game warden here and he says most Elk that are poached are shot with a .22 LR behind the ear, not condoning poaching what so ever, as always, your mileage may very!
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I prefer a .54 for all of my shooting
I agree with John 100% on this! And if this should end up being the route you might take, I'd suggest the Lyman Great Plains Rifle in either cap or flint (whichever you prefer)...
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Jim, I wouldn't completely rule out a .50 for Elk with a 120 grain charge. There's some darn good bone crushing ballistics from 100 yards and under - packing that 120 grn load with a patched ball. :bl th up
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Well I own a Pedersoli .50 Kentucky and I love it. Super accurate out of the box.
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What powder, load, patch, and ball are you using?
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Usually a .490 ball, .015 ox-yoke prelubed patch and 50 grains of FFg Goex.
But it's a pretty accurate hunter at 100 grains.
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Awesome, thank you 😊
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The one .50 I had did very nicely with the 250 grain Lee R.E.A.L. bullet, even with 1:66" rifling. I think that is because it's fairly short so the slow twist could still stabilize it. I haven't been so lucky with the .45. And you can always go to a light powder charge in the .50 for small game.
Kees
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For a hunting rifle, first check with your local fish and game regs.
No use getting all worked up over a nice .45, only to find it is not legal for what you want to do.
+1
FWIW, my state limits small game hunting muzzleloaders to .40 (& smaller) bores; deer hunting muzzleloaders to .45 (& larger) bores.
If your not going to hunt deer-sized game, a .45 is more economical to punch paper with.
If you are, a .50 has a much wider selection of projectiles than a .45 - and it will deliver more punch on both ends of the rifle.
I've been successfully doing all my deer hunting with my .45 T/C Seneca for the past 40 years. (YMMV)
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45vs50cal?
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will this be yer first trad muzzy?
is there a specific reason why you've singled out a pedersoli gun?
do you think you have a preference for flint or cap, and why?
most important, the prime intended purpose for the gun and you?
with those questions answered, we all could render better comments and opinions.
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I'd go with a 50. More versatility if you ever plan to hunt and generally speaking, 50cal supplies are easier to find.
Both can be very accurate and great shooters.
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Or? Vs? 1 Wife! 1 God! That I can understand but 1 muzzleloader ? It's not civilized! It's not ...generous.
(with apologies to a Classic movie)
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is there a specific reason why you've singled out a pedersoli gun?
Not just a Pedersoli but the Kentucky Rifle, so it looks like he wants a full stock longrifle.
Kees
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is there a specific reason why you've singled out a pedersoli gun?
Not just a Pedersoli but the Kentucky Rifle, so it looks like he wants a full stock longrifle.
Kees
yes, but WHY? plinking, reenacting, hunting, target, or all of these? and if "all of these" is there one function that'll be most used? lots to think about to make a proper selection.
also, when it comes to the gun, most folks don't realize that almost all offshore built guns sport patent breech plugs with their ante-chamber, as opposed to the traditional classic flat faced breech plug of most onshore built guns. understanding these plugs and what they mean to both shooting and cleaning can matter.
then there's the matter of the type of lock and how it will interact with the breech plug and/or chamber. some offshore guns run the flue directly into the threaded part of the breech plug ... what a hassle.
the GPR's classic "normal" patent breech where the flue goes before the breech threads and into the ante-chamber, and the pedersoli flue actually goes into the ante-chamber breech threads ...
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