sproulman

you cant shoot the MAXI-HUNTER in the t/c hawkins .50cal.they are too short and will not stabilize well.try the MAXI-BALL in the 370 gr.i can cut bullet holes at 75 yards with 80grs. of 2f goex,wonder wad.same with other SHORT bullets, they dont shoot well in a 1-48 twist in hawkins.

eldeguello

There is a paradox associated with round balls vs conicals. A round ball will not have as great a MAXIMUM range as a conical, and it sheds velocity and energy faster. BUT a round ball can be given a much higher initial velocity than can a conical. Consequently, at ranges up to 100 yards or slightly more, the round ball will shoot somewhat flatter than the conical, making hitting easier with fixed sights. In addition, although the conical will retain more energy at 100 yards and farther, out to 125 yards or so, a .54 caliber round ball launched at maximum BP MV certainly retains ENOUGH power to go thru a deer and let a lot of blood out of both sides of the critter.

You often hear that "1,000 foot-pounds of energy is minimum for shooting deer." Even if this were true, this statement applies to modern rifles firing much smaller bullets, that must expand to be effective. A big ol' pure lead round ball is another matter entirely , and IMO, energy level guidelines are much different, if indeed there really are any for the round ball!

Just shoot a big round pure lead ball through a 4X4 post sometime, and you will get the picture!