Some states do not allow the use of anything but pure lead projectiles. So be sure your state permits the use of sabots.

As for the .50... it is lethal. Shot placement is critical or you're in for a long tracking job. But that's true about any projectile. I've shot deer with a .50 and it worked just fine, but remember, my shots are normally close. Still if I were shooting a roundball I would rather have a .54 or my .58 caliber.

One of my friends shoots a .45 caliber Shenandoah Traditions rifle, and he shoots roundball. I asked him once if he ever had a problem killing a deer with that rifle.. He told me he shoots them through the heart and the tracking job is always short. So he depends on shot placement.

Another person I hunt with shoots a Traditions Kentucky 1-66 twist .50 caliber. He's shot deer at 100 yards with it and dropped them in their tracks. You'd never convince him that a .50 is not a good caliber. BUT what I am getting at.. is if I had bad experiences with one caliber and a projectile it could make me sour on that no matter how much luck all the other shooters in the woods have with the same thing.

The point is, if you have no confidence with what your shooting... don't shoot it. And I agree a .45 caliber XTP would be a much better projectile then a .50 caliber roundball. But if you don't place either one, the deer will be a long track.