I've shot roundball for 25 years or more. My favorite used to be the .54 caliber (and still is a favorite) butI do like the thump of the .58 caliber roundball. My first deer with a roundball was a doe at 30 yards. She came walking down the trail (tree stands were illegal then) and I was laying prone on the ground under some brush. I took her right through the brisket and shot all the way through her. She ran about 20 yards and I watched her fall.

I did hunt black bear with a .54 caliber but never saw one that was worth taking. I saw a tiny yearling, and a sow with cubs, but nothing of size that year. The next time, I never saw a bear the entire season. I have a person I know that bear hunts with a .50 caliber roundball and he claims that is the best close range weapon he has ever used on bear. He said the ball penetrate excellent, does a lot of damage, and usually makes its way out the other side.