54 or 58 caliber
 

My barrel is really not looking good right now. It is a 54cal 1-48" twist. I plan to hunt with roundballs. If I cant get this barrel back into shape I think I will get a slow twist GM. I am not giving up yet but if I were to get a slow twist GM do you think I should get a 54cal or a 58cal? I am not worried about how easy it is to get the stuff for it because I get my stuff on the internet and everywhere I buy from has 54 and 58cal stuff. I know that the 58cal is one of the best RB cals out there but the 54cal is good to. I would be using it for antelope and maybe elk. I know the 54cal would do good on antelope but the 58cal would do better on elk. I know Both will get the job done on both animals. What would you suggest? I know that the 58cal would take down anything I would ever want to hunt.

RE: 54 or 58 caliber
 

Just because of what you hunt... if I were to get a replacement barrel, I would get the .58 caliber. There is no such thing as over kill, and the little bit of difference in wound channel you would see between the two would not be anything to concern yourself with. On elk though, the bigger the push the better.

RE: 54 or 58 caliber
 

This one's a no-brainer!

Get the 58. You can find a good supply of roundballs and Ballets for it. All you need for accessories is a couple of 58-cal bore brushes & a 58-cal jag. Dixie Gun works & Track Of The Wolf have that stuff.

RE: 54 or 58 caliber
 

The .54 caliber was originally intended to provide more punch than the common .50 on larger game such as elk , moose , and grizzlies , but a .58 would be better if you can reasonably find the bullets for it or make them . If not then a .54 should be more than adequate for the game you mentioned assuming proper shot placement .

RE: 54 or 58 caliber
 

Here's another source for 58-cal Ballets & roundballs.

http://thunder-ridge-muzzleloading.com/buffalo.htm#ballet

RE: 54 or 58 caliber
 

Given your intentions, and the fact thatyou're going to to buy something anyway, I'd buy the .58cal.

GM makes them as drop-in replacements for TC Renegades and the large size Hawken...I have a GM Flint version 1" x 33" x 1:70"...extremely accurate.

The 279grn ball holds more energy at longer distances than any of the smaller calibers...a big plusfor largergame at longer distances.

RE: 54 or 58 caliber
 

Thanks for your help. I think I want a 58 caliber slow twist GM barrel.