RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

I would like to say that I appreciate all of the comments which were posted. For my part, I would like to say that I think theroundball hit it on the head when he said of the roundball "the size of the frontalareawhen it arrives at the target and theimmediate expansion that beginshappening to the soft lead and onthrough the vitals is very underrated,probably misunderstood, or at least not yet easily quantified. "

It would seem that there exist no real way to quantify the potential of the roundball for killing deer, its range apparently exceeding the abilities of most hunters as marksmen. Of interest, perhaps TaylorKOis not so far off, giving the 30-30 the value of 11 at 100 yds, the .45 roundball having the value of 10.

I previously said that I did not consider the roundball a choice for me to hunt with. I have since changed my mind. Shoud I decide to hunt with the roundball, I will probably purchase .54 caliber rather than using my .50 calibers, not that I should, its just for me, i think i would feel more confident.

Thanks to all who commented.

Happy Hunting, Phil

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

Of course you know I am complete agreement with roundball and cayugad. As I said before, and as these gentlemen and many more dedicated roundball hunters will tell you, the simple lead roundball is incredibly effective at taking game out to 100 yds.When aroundball strikes an animal, itjust seems to impart more of it's energy to that animal, more effectively, than any other projectile.The roundballjust gets it done, even whenmany of the numerical indicators seem to say it shouldn't. This is why I also said earlier that the numbersdidn't mean squat in the field. The roundball simply does the job and for deer, within 100 yds, it does it better than any other muzzleloading projectile, IMO.

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

I'd be surprised if you didn't get a real sense of satisfaction out of deer hunting with a patched round ball...it's been very effective for a few hundred years...it's what our ancestors used to put food on the table,defend themselves, andsettle this country...it's just not meant to be used at extreme ranges...treat it like you would a .30-30.

And when you takeyour first deer just pause a moment,think back 200-300 yearsabout another hunter who may very well have stood right in that same spot where you're standing overyour deer, and tookhis deer the same way...with a greasy patch of cloth around a soft lead ball he probably meltedin the fireplace of his cabin...there's nothing like it for me.

The .54cal is an excellent choice, practice until you can hit a 3" orange aim point sticker at 75yds consistently while sitting on the ground leaning against a post like it was a tree, brace your off arm down against your chest, hand in front of the trigger guard, squeeeeeeeeeze....

And then...if you take some deer with aFlintlock...oh my...well, that's another story for another time.

Enjoy!

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

The time, i suspect is coming:).

Happy hunting, Phil

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

The .54cal is a good choice for deer.If you are buying a rifle strictly for shooting roundball, I would suggest you get a slow twist barrel, 1:60" to 1:70" would be ideal. There is some dispute abouthow accuratelyfaster twist barrels, like 1:48", will shoot roundball with higher powered hunting loads but a barrel with 1:60"-1:70" twist, deep rifling will defintely shoot well.

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

Thanks sabinajiles,I suspected that the slower twist would help one to maximize velocity and keep accuracy. I will be sure to follow the advice.

Happy Hunting, Phil

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

In reading the various posts I had a thought about the Kinetic Pulse comparison. The KP is based on wound channels fully within the animal. Many, if not all, CF bullets will exit the animal thus utilizing only part of their energy within the animal and, by default, only creating a portion of their potential wound channel. A RB will many times expend most of it's energy within the animal and will therefore create a wound channel at or near it's maximum cappability. This may explain why it appears to defy your assumptions above. Any thoughts?

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

I have long thought that muzzleloading projectiles have the ability to make a broad wound channel and do a better job of losing energy in the wound than smaller bore weapons, which as you say, leave the animal with much of their energy unspent. I also base this from the experience of using large conicals and having used 25-06 and 7mm Rem Mag.

The question I have been having the internal struggle with (though publicly discussed)is just how low in velocity and energyone cango before an adequate wound to humanely killis no longerpossible. I don't think anyone really knows but i think everyone can agree thatsuch a limit really does exist,though apparentlyat ranges outsidethe capabilities ofthe hunter hisself.

Happy Hunting, Phil

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

I would also like to say this. In terms of the words "ethical" and "adequate" there will always be some separation at least qualitatively. On the ethical end, one wants more than adequate power at the animal to achieve the goal of humane harvest. Ethical is always adequate, but there comes a place where ethical begins to gray into unethically adequate. This transition, from a moral standpoint, probably should never be discovered,with each voluntarily staying within limits which have already proven themselves to be adequate to the goal of humane harvest.

Happy Hunting, Phil

RE: Some thoughts on effective ranges for roundball
 

if you dont practice and shoot over 75 yards,roundball is not what i would use.most i see in woods now are hunters who take gun out 1 time year to go hunting.very little practice at range etc. i amat fault on this too, i did not practice too much this year and i was waving all over the doe as i aimed on them for practice. most hunters would be better served to use a MAXI-BALL .370 gr or powerbelt bullet 295 or 348.leave roundball for practice or if you are dedicated to practice, by all means ,use it to hunt. most are not doing enough practice and wounded deer is not very good half hour before dark.been there done that,seen itfor over 40 years now. take care.