40 cal.

[OLDBRO]

What say you all using a 40 cal? Any one suggest 50 and up being a better choice?

 

[longcruise]

I suppose you are talking about deer hunting?

If so, then the .50 is a better choice. A bigger ball is always better. You can kill an elk with a .243, but it's dead faster with a 30-06.

I have never used anything smaller than a .50 for any big game hunting. Some do with good results. Just not my choice.

 

[bucktales]

Depends on where you are too.
If he's talking deer, some states have min. caliber requirements.
Here, it's .45.
Check your book.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Not big enough legally here in NY or below in PA. But then a 100 lb whitetail Alabama deer is not a 300 lb Maine whitetail deer or a 80 yard distant 250 lb mule deer.

I'm sure with the right shot it will do, but the .50 or even .54 is a better caliber IMHO. Nice to have a margin in case you meet a twig that wasn't apparant when you pulled the trigger or should the deer move suddenly and the shot hits in a less than ideal spot.

 

[Little Wattsy]

Personally I find that the .54 is "optimal....But then you know what they say about opinions.. :wink:

 

[Tom Compton]

I agree with the others. Took a nice 8pt last year with my .40 flintlock but probably won't use it again. Assembled a .54 flinter for this year. Already have a .50 per-suction gun and wanted a .54 anyway.

TC