If I had my choice, I would always hunt with something bigger then a 50 caliber. Not that a 50 caliber will not get the job done. And I have hunted with them. But I prefer a larger caliber, like the 54 or 58 caliber.

Lee.. believe it or not. We hit 42 degrees here today. That has to be a record. I mean the end of January is our coldest time of year with day time highs of 18 degrees on average. Night times can be down right brutal. I have never got by on so little fire wood in my life. And I am burning junk wood this year. I only throw some hard maple on at night when I go to bed.

I believe it I remember it well. Last year here we were ice in and had to cancel a trip.
Global warming or just nice weather. Europe is getting our bad weather from what I have heard.
I have to agree with you on caliber, I started out with a 40 caliber that I made off the stock and action of a 22 semi auto, next was a 45 then a 50 then a 58 then a 54 then a 62 and out of all of them I love a 54 with a PRB. It work the best for me for deer, bear and boar and the way it shot long distance and dropped animals on the spot is the reason I still take it hunting some times.

Interesting...I don't think any of the deer I've killed with my ML rifles from .45 to .58 died any differently. I usually try to take em' through the ribcage and take out their lungs. They may go a little ways but almost always fall within sight. The only ones I've ever had "drop on the spot" were ones I shot in the neck or head. I like all of my ML's that I hunt with. I don't use the .58 much as it is an in-line (not dissing in-lines, I just enjoy the traditionals more). I've often thought I would like a custom big-bore Flinter in .58 or .62.... Maybe someday. Oh well, to each his own I guess...BPS

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

I agree Cayugad, the .50 Renegade is a good shooter. I traded for a 30 inch 1 in 66 twist round ball Renegade barrel, and it shoots a ragged hole at 50 yards.

When shooting conicals I always stick with a 50 caliber. Although that White. 451 can sure to make a decision hard when talking conical shooters. I like that rifle a lot. I have no idea how many 50 caliber rifles I currently have. It is probably the biggest number of rifles in my collection. Although a dozen of them or more are inlines. I think.