Legal for hunting now, so what to get?

[Forager]

My home state just approved the use of muzzleloading handguns (single shot, breech loading, minimum of .45 caliber) for use during the big game seasons (deer and bear).  So, of course, now I "need" one.

I'm considering either the Pedersoli Kentucky flintlock in .50 or .54, the Pedersoli Bounty in .50, or the Jim Chambers American Flintlock Pistol in .54.  Any recommendations or thoughts on these three?  Anything else I should consider?

Yes, for some odd reason, I'd prefer a flinter.

[Roaddog]

I have a Pedersoli Kentucky flinter in 54. I took a deer some years back at around 20 yards when the rifle faild to fire. I think they are a good shooter.

[Forager]

Mr. Chambers has confirmed that his American Flintlock Pistol can be had with a .58 or .62 caliber barrel, so that is the choice (as it will be a nice match to the Early Virginia Rifle, Mark Silver-Virginia Rifle: Jim Chambers Flintlocks) that I will build later.

Now, .58 or .62?  I'm leaning heavily .62 and smoothbore for the pistol.  Oh, and cherry for the stocks on both the pistol and the rifle.

Thoughts?

[Geezer in NH]

Big as you can get. By the way use your longun  first. Use the handgun as a back up it makes the law make sense.

[Forager]

Of course.  In fact, I'm leaning toward a .62 smoothbore for the pistol as a .610" ball is going to hit like a hammer at close range anyway, the velocity won't be that great, and with a smoothbore I should be able to get 50' or so worth of range from a stout load of 7 1/2 shot for grouse, rabbits, and squirrels.

[snake eyes]

In my state (OHIO) it is illegal to even carry a B/P pistol while hunting or for that
matter two guns of any type.
Hunting small game with shot maybe o.k. but I, myself would not care to hunt
deer, etc. with a B/P pistol. I ain't that good.
snake-eyes  

[Geezer in NH]

Here in NH a rifle and a handgun are allowed provide the hand gun is also a single shot long gun must be a single shotm also 40 caliber min for both

[hawkthrower]

Out here I carry an 1858 .44 almost every hunt, extra cylinder too - No "two weapon rule" applied to sidearms in NM - On bow or BP hunts it is legal to carry a "pistol or revolver for personal protection" on any hunt. Though I do not think I'd want to shoot an animal like a Deer or Elk with a revolver unless I was attacked (very unlikely )...  bear or cougar very different story - it has happened - would I tag or no ?.......OOOOOOh yeah! But explaining it to G&F may be a bit tough! Thankfully the big cat I have crossed paths with wanted no part of me passing through and the bears I have run across on many occasions, though interested, decided that I was no threat (Thankfully).......Of course I see bear in elk season and everything but deer in deer season! and everything but Turkey in Turkey season! Oh well better to be ready for anything!

[Detached]

Interesting, and ridiculous rules. I can't fathom what purpose they serve. In MI I can (and do) carry a sidearm whenever I hunt. Modern deer hunting is usually a .357, sometimes a Ruger .22 if I'm squirrel hunting, for BP it's a Remington 1858 from Armi San Marco. I can also carry a sidearm while I'm bowhunting with my CPL.

I used to do some handgun hunting and some interesting combinations have arrisen over the years. I've carried a Thompson Center Contender in .35 Remington in a bandolier, and a Ruger .357 on the side. I also carried a Ruger Super Redhawk 9-1/2" scoped, with the Ruger .357.

[Geezer in NH]

Here in NH a rifle and a handgun are allowed provide the hand gun is also a single shot long gun must be a single shotm also 40 caliber min for both

My Glock 17 is always there but being a moral hunter it is not used for game or hunting. By the way that is not allowed by F@G in NH but who cares?

[Detached]

My Glock 17 is always there but being a moral hunter it is not used for game or hunting. By the way that is not allowed by F@G in NH but who cares?

Pardon me? Are you a moral hunter, or aren't you? You won't use the Glock because of your morals, yet it's always there. In the same breath you don't care if it's allowed or not?  

[Geezer in NH]

Yep personal protection is #1

[Detached]

Yep personal protection is #1

Time out. You're out in the woods, hunting. You already have a gun. What is the purpose for the Glock? Do you feel you'll need more capacity? Figure you might get into a firefight and need to lay down cover fire?

And regardless of your purpose, I am still at a loss as to how you can state you're an ethical hunter yet willfully break the law all in one breath. You can be ethical or unethical. You cannot be 'kind of' ethical.

I'm all for self defense, and am fortunate to live in a state that allows me to carry even while using a bow. If you want to carry illegally then do so, it's your life. Just don't have the 'gnads to say you're ethical, it doesn't wash.

[Forager]

I had no intention of this one turning into a cluster, and especially not of now TWO people openly admitting to unlawful and/or unethical activities.

Sheesh...

[snake eyes]

I had no intention of this one turning into a cluster, and especially not of now TWO people openly admitting to unlawful and/or unethical activities.  Sheesh...

Forager,
  [/color]