45 or 59 cal? Looking at a Pederosi KY rifle and trying to decide which for fun, targets, and possib

[Dalebow]

45vs50cal?


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[Ohio Joe]

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... 

[Bigsmoke]

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.

[BEAVERMAN]

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!

[Ohio Joe]

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)...

[Ohio Joe]

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. 

[Spotted Bull]

Well I own a Pedersoli .50 Kentucky and I love it. Super accurate out of the box.

[Dalebow]

What powder, load, patch, and ball are you using?

[Spotted Bull]

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.

[Dalebow]

Awesome, thank you 😊

[Winter Hawk]

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

[PetahW]

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)

.

[RobD]

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.

[dave951]

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.

[Nessmuk]

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)