Choices, Choices, Choices

HEAD0001 · 12-23-2010, 07:03 AM

I have been thinking about putting a LRh barrel on a Renegade stock I have laying around. But what I really want to buy is a FL rifle built the way I want it. I have been talking to TVM about building me a FL. I think that is the way I am going to go.

I am trying to decide between a 50 and a 54 caliber. I am leaning toward 50 caliber, but my mind is not made up yet. What do you guys think about the 50 vs. the 54 caliber for shooting PRB's??

I have never owned a 54 Caliber. I owned a 58 one time. And the recoil was pretty stout on the 58. Is there a real noticable difference between 50 and 54 with hunting loads??

Another option I am looking at is a "swamped" barrel. Is a "swamped" barrel worth the extra money?? Are they actually more accurate?? I think I will be going with a 36" or possibly a 38" barrel. This is going to be strictly a deer hunting rifle(and some ground hogs in the summer). Possibly another elk someday. But more than likely a deer rifle only. Tom.

Semisane · 12-23-2010, 09:08 AM

It's all personal opinion of course. But for me, flintlock = round ball only & round ball for deer = .54 caliber. (besides, the .54 is going to be lighter and probably will balance better with the longer barrel)

Recoil? I admit recoil doesn't bother me much. My .54's with round ball hunting loads of 85/95 grains of powder seem to have less recoil than my .50's shooting sabots with the same kinds of powder charges. But then, I don't consider the recoil of my .58 Hawken with round balls and 95 grains of GOEX to be bad at all.

To swamp or not to swamp? It has nothing to do with accuracy. Potential accuracy of a swamped barrel and straight barrel are the same. Swamped barrels change the distribution of weight and the balance of the gun. I've never owned a gun with a swamped barrel. Some say if you get one you'll never go any other way. Others say the difference is not that great. If you can't arrange to handle one with a swamped barrel you're stuck with going by the advide of the builder. Maybe he can give you some references of customers who have gone both ways.

lemoyne · 12-23-2010, 09:30 AM

I tried all the common calibers from 40 to 58. I consider that with PRB 45 is just barely enough for deer and not good for more than 75 under some conditions the 50 is a decent caliber but deer often run some distance, now we come to the 54loaded right it can shoot as fast as the others with a slow twist the recoil is bearable and it is the beat because it is load up to good velocity and it has a good BC. A good shot can shoot one accurately out to 175 yds check out what is shot at friendship.
The 58 has massive recoil and a poor trajectory it has massive power at short range but even the twist it is made in because of the recoil holds it back if you could load it properly.
A 54 loaded with around 110 or 120 gr of powder will knock more deer down on the spot than the average inline, there are only a few bullets that will equal it.
I have had the best results with a 35 inch barrel and a .535 ball with a ticking patch and 120 gr of Pyrodex but the Renegade with 110 gr. is a close second.

cayugad · 12-23-2010, 01:13 PM

I have been thinking the same path. I want a custom flintlock and have narrowed it down to a .54 or .58 caliber. I was going to go to a .62 caliber but decided not to. Without a doubt the .54 is a good load. But if I were ever thinking of going elk hunting, then the .58 is the way I want to go. So in your case I would go .54 caliber.

The barrel is lighter because more metal is removed. Recoil with roundball?? What's that? I even used to shoot a .62 smoothbore and never thought recoil was bad. My .58 is actually a sweet rifle to shoot and that's with 110 grains of Goex 2f.

Swamped is nice. I have shot swamped barrel rifles. If you like to shoot free handed, that is the way to go. If all your shooting is from a brace of some sorts, it really does not matter. I might go swamped as well just to say I own one. And because of the balance.

If your going to a flintlock, the important part of that rifle is the lock. Get a Seiler L&R Durs Egg lock or Chambers. These are some fast locks.

Personally if shooting roundball and wanting to hunt deer or hog, I would never get a .50. Not that a .50 will not do the job. But a .54 has a 33% bigger ball and just a touch slower velocity. Larger ball, more weight, better energy.

HEAD0001 · 12-23-2010, 02:31 PM

Cayugad I have been reading your posts for awhile. And the reason I am considering the 54 instead of the 50 is because you just seem to like the 54 better. I have been studying it a good bit. And it does appear to be the perfect mix of ball weight and velocity. And seems to sit in the optimum position between the 50 and the 58 caliber.

Have you looked at the TVM rifles. They are reaonably priced. And you get a good bit for your money. That is who I think I am going to use for my new FL. Tom.