RE: Best caliber?
 

Yes, if shooting round balls, a .58 would be better than a .45, .50, or .54. And this includes shooting things bigger and less friendly than elk!!

RE: Best caliber?
 

Jacko ,
the .54 cal was originally developed by the mountain men for elk or larger game with a patched round ball in a flintlock . They wanted something with a little more punch than the .50 cals of the day . With modern bullets and propellents either size would do , but I' d go with the .50 for more downrange energy .