Originally Posted by
cayugad
BlackPowderSmoke.. in no way am I claimed a 50 caliber is not a good lethal rifle. My one friend shoots a Traditions Kentucky and with patched roundball I have seen him knock deer flat at 100 yards. But for some reason, I just like that larger caliber and feel more comfortable with them. A Doe I shot with a 50 caliber a few years back, she was broadside, I shot for the lungs and ... have you ever shot a deer and they just stood there like nothing happened? I actually thought I missed. Then she skipped off about 20 yards and fell over dead. With a 54 caliber I shot at one deer, killing it on the spot, and the ball passed through that deer and killed a second one behind it. Now that is penetration in my book.
Consider the fact that while a roundball is deadly, its not the most desired projectile among a lot of shooters. But if you look at the difference of a 50 and a 54 caliber the ball of the 54 is 33% larger. 177 VS 234 grain. And if you judge a 50 to a 58 you've increased the weight almost 60% in weight. That is a huge difference. And we all know energy is increased if you can increase velocity or weight. So since I shoot about the same powder charge out of all my rifles.. I go for the bullet weight (talking roundball).
But I see your point. They all end up killing the deer if they are placed in the right spot.
Dave, I never took it that you were "dissing" a .50, so please don't take it that way, but you didn't mention using a roundball in your earlier post when I asked you why you stated what you did. By the same token, I didn't mention that I use solid lead conicals in most of the ML's that I hunt with in my later response. I know people do it, but I wouldn't use a PRB in my .45 for deer, but I have no problem using it with a Maxi-ball just as I have no problem using a PRB in my .54's. In most of my .50's I use a Maxi or a Lee REAL, but I do use a PRB in a few (the T/C PA. Hunter Carbine I'm holding in my avatar is one). My T/C .58 I use a PRB in because honestly, the Maxi's are just too d@mn punishing too shoot!!... And yes, I have had deer stand there and look like they were never hit after you punch em' through the lungs. I had it happen once with a 12 ga. slug gun and I have had it happen with a .270 win. because every deer reacts differently to how they're hit (in some manner). So we're on the same page brother, I initially thought that you stayed away from .50's because you probably already own too darn many of them!!! Incidentally, the .50 Hawken that I have coming any day now will make the SIXTH .50 rifle I'll own!!...BPS