.45 or .58

[Don]

I'm currently saving my pocket change for a future purchase. Been thinking Handi rifle in any number of calibers or a ML in either .45 or .58. Have a Kentucky pistol in .45 so a rifle in the same would be nice but I've been facinated by civil war era rifled muskets for some time. If you were in my shoes which would you chose and why?

Don

 

[Little Wattsy]

Id get the .58 because bigger is gooder. A better hunter (my opinion) something new - you dont have yet. Better resale value. Bigger is gooder! :wink:

 

[Homesteader]

I'm gonna throw my opinion in for a quality .45. They tend to do extremely well for paper punching, they're relatively versatile hunters IMHO, easy to feed, and I've always just really loved a good .45 rifle. And you've already got the accessories for it.

Of course, it's purely subjective, and worth what you paid for it.
:v

 

[rabjr]

I'm currently saving my pocket change for a future purchase. Been thinking Handi rifle in any number of calibers or a ML in either .45 or .58. Have a Kentucky pistol in .45 so a rifle in the same would be nice but I've been facinated by civil war era rifled muskets for some time. If you were in my shoes which would you chose and why?

Don

Way to little info.

I love my .58 for hunting deer size game.

I think if I was looking for a small game or paper puncher, I'd go with a .45. And I'm not saying you can't take a deer with a .45, just saying my preferance.

 

[larry wv]

.58 better for hunting. Easy to find a .45 later if you want. Haveing the .45 pistol wouldn't influence me at all. Larry Wv

 

[ozark57]

Get both. The musket uses a lot of powder and lead. The .45 will shoot patched RB's that are good to 100 yards accuratly. Minie balls are just not as accurate, but are a blast to shoot. I found my mint condition Zouave at a local gun shop for $200. My T/C Hawken for $130. 2 guns, $330.
Seek and ye shall find!

 

[hanshi]

If you can't get both I'd take the .45 and never look back. A .45 is ideal for whitetails, quite usable for small game, great as a paper gun and cheap to feed.

 

[PreglerD]

I would go for the .45! If it has a moderate ROT of 1 in 48", even 1 in 66" you can shoot both PRB and maxis with good accuracy up to 80 yds and more. For hunting the .45 maxi is also a good choice and not to expensive. Meanwhile I have 2 .45 (Deerhunter and Hawken Woodsman) and I like both.

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[rabjr]

Get both. The musket uses a lot of powder and lead. The .45 will shoot patched RB's that are good to 100 yards accuratly. Minie balls are just not as accurate, but are a blast to shoot. I found my mint condition Zouave at a local gun shop for $200. My T/C Hawken for $130. 2 guns, $330.
Seek and ye shall find!

Lets clarify, not all .58's are musket's.

 

[F.G. Ford]

My 2 cents!
Civil War rifle, and a long rifle are two different schools of thought.
Practice with either, and you do will quite well. But minie ball accuracy, is a whole different path to follow, than patched round ball.
Another consideration, is cost, and recoil.
Minie ball guns are much more expensive to shoot than .45 - .50 cal. patched round ball guns, and have considerally more recoil.
So before you spend "your" last 2 cents, think about which path you wish to follow. :idunno: :idunno:
Old Ford

 

[nkbj]

What Ozark57 said.

 

[badpenny]

i wouldn't hesitate.you say you are facinated with muskets.get the .58.i enjoy shooting my muskets more than any other of my BP firearms

 

[excess650]

I have .45 and .58 flint and .50 percussion rifles. For small game I would prefer the .45, but the .58 for deer sized or larger game, PRB, of course.

 

[410-er]

I have both calibers.Have a romance with the 45's. :thumbsup: