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  1. R

    Accuracy starts on 2nd shot?

    Use a slightly thicker patch. If it loads very easy on the first shot then you probably need a thicker patch. I use .018 pillow ticking .015 did not work well with my gun.
  2. R

    .54 cal round ball on deer

    I find with the faster twist guns that .018 pillow ticking holds up better than the thinner .015 patches giving tighter groups. A .54 with 60 grains of 2F is plenty for deer out to 100. I shoot 80 of 3F which will penetrate to the skin on the other side well past 125 yards.
  3. R

    It's Official: Coyotes

    A 70 pound coyote is likely a red wolf. They do look similar other than color. Red wolves were stocked 15 years ago in North Carolina. Not sure if they stocked them in other areas. My brother saw one this year while we were hunting in Virginia. I have a friend that shot one in the same area...
  4. R

    Stayin' traditional!!!

    I am sure they are capable of it but I have yet to see an modern inline muzzleloader out shoot my .54 GPR Lyman at 50 and 100yrds at the range. On top of that it seems there is just as much effort in loading and cleaning the modern guns as the traditional ones. If you practice enough and know...
  5. R

    any one do this?

    We shoot them at the base of the neck. A much larger target than the head. Took one with a .54 several years ago. Almost all of the meat is in the breast and legs. Nothing worth saving in the neck.
  6. R

    Deer Behavior

    Food is everything. They will move from area to area starting with the best opportunities and as they deplete them they will move to the next best thing. I have seen the area we hunt (Virginia woods and mountains) go from few deer sightings in early muzzle loader season to loads of them in the...
  7. R

    PRB for Hunting

    I have hunted with the same group of guys all with patched round balls for 15+ years. I have seen loads of deer shot with 40, 50, 54, 58 and 62 caliber round balls at ranges out to 125 yards. I have never have seen one hit that ran more than 50 yards most don't go more than 20.
  8. R

    choosing a caliber

    My buddies use .58 and .62. Both are sufficient for black bear. The vitals are farther forward on a bear so you should aim even with the front leg not behind it like you do on deer. It is amazing the exit hole a .62 makes on deer. You can nearly look right through it. With the .62 you will...
  9. R

    First Muzzleloader

    Second on the .54 GPR. I have had mine since 1993 and it still shoots great. Very accurate with .530 round balls and .018 patches. Hunt tested! It lays down deer, turkey and squirrels with no issues. If you do not like the recoil you can reduce the charge a bit. I run 80 grains of 3F but...
  10. R

    powder charge for deer

    You can easily stretch the range to 100 yards or a little more if you practice at those ranges. A 50 cal ball is effective beyond 75 yards on deer. It will have no problem going through the shoulder and into the vitals at 120 yards.
  11. R

    45 cal and hunting

    I have seen 3 deer shot with a .40 cal with round balls, one at 100 yards, and all dropped with out going more than 20 yards. One was shot by my buddies grand daughter at 40 yards the ball completely tore up the heart and lungs on a 110lb buck. So the .45 should be plenty of gun. Funny but I...
  12. R

    cabelas blue ridge 54 percussion...

    Have not seen one but I think you have made a great choice. The slow twist barrel is perfect for round balls. I have a Lyman great plans in .54. I use a .530 ball, .018 Ox yoke pillow ticking for patch and 80 grains GOEX FFF powder. The load is a bit stout but works well for hunting and...
  13. R

    Trash Barrel

    If the barrel is 15/16ths then .540 is a good caliber. If the barrel is 1" across the flats then you can go larger. .54. .58 or .62.
  14. R

    Recovered .570 Balls from Elk

    Wow, That is impressive performance. Years ago I shot a 5x5 (appox. 650lbs) with a 270 and 150 grain bullet at 40 yards. Like your round balls it penetrated fully broadside and stopped under the hide on the other side. The bullet retained about 110-120 grains and now is about .530 in...
  15. R

    Conical and RB penetration?

    I never get this argument. Round balls .50 cal and up are cheap, accurate and will drive all the way through a broadside deer at 125yds with no problems. There is no need for the ball to expand any larger and it retains 90% or more of its weight. The ball cuts a plug on entrance and thus...
  16. R

    Drifting a sight?

    Here is the front sight. Part number FS-PA-38-I I found the stock Lyman primitive front sight blade to be too wide. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(ql5eib45wora4u551ozyreuk))/categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=14&subId=167&styleId=762&partNum=FS-PA-38-I
  17. R

    Drifting a sight?

    I would not modify the barrel or use the Lyman primitive sights. I purchased front and rear primitive sights from Track of the Wolf. The dovetails on these sights are a little oversize so you can file fit them. The sights are only about $7 a piece. When I get home I will look up the product...
  18. R

    musket caps

    If the caps do not give you better ignition why use them?
  19. R

    .54 Ballistics with FFFg?

    I use 80 grains of GOEX 3F in a Great Plains rifle with 32" barrel. My rear sight has 2 elevations one for 50 yards and one for 100 yards. With the 100 yard sight picture I am 4 inches low at 125, 12 inches low at 150, 3 feet low at 175 and about 7 feet low at 200. The farthest shot I have...
  20. R

    # 11 Caps

    Not sure you can get Hot Shot nipples anymore. Lyman makes stainless nipples as well. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=633729
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