.45 vs .50?

[Electric Miner]

I have two barrels for my Kentucky rifle, a .45 and a .50. Can anyone think of a circumstance in which I might want to use the .45 instead of the .50?

 

[Greg Blackburn]

For the heck of it.

Just to be different.

Greg

 

[mooman76]

The 45 uses slightly less lead and powder. Other than that they are close to the same.

 

[Stumpkiller]

.440" ball is 128 gr. A .490 ball is 177 gr. That's 38% more mass and can be driven at a similar velocity.

I'd happily take a 38% raise in pay, so likewise if I was hunting game larger than 150 lbs or so I'd opt for the .50 between the two for a hunting rifle.

 

[BrownBear]

I've never owned a 45, but always been interested in it for small game with reduced loads. I think of it as suitable for deer, but even more suitable than the 50 with reduced loads for small game. On the other hand, I'd shoot bigger game with a 50 than with a 45.

In your boots I'd initially concentrate on the 50 for deer and explore the possibilities of small game with the 45. I'm not saying the 45 wouldn't be perfectly suitable, but with both I'd find an excuse to use both.

 

[William O.]

The .45 is a fine deer caliber in it's on right, see which one is most accurate and have fun at it.

 

[nchawkeye]

Back when I shot competition a .45 was the most popular caliber...It kicks less than a .50 and bucks the wind better than a .40...

Now, for hunting, I prefer a .40 for small game and a .54 for large game...

 

[Rat Trapper]

The 45 is a nice target or plinkng caliber.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I'll ditto the others.
For general pleasure shooting, target and hunting up to (and including) deer, the .45 is plenty adequate. Uses less lead and powder.
The .45 was a very popular caliber for many years until the .50 craze somehow got started.

 

[ebiggs1]

Can anyone think of a circumstance in which I might want to use the .45 instead of the .50?

No!

 

[Sperit de bois]

That is the biggest problem of owning two rifles,,no matter which one you choose,you wonder if it was the right one..HA HA HA Been there,,AM there,I own 5, 2-45/3-50 still trying to chose,the season starts the 27 of this month.Looks like,at this moment,the 50 Lyman GPR gets the nod,then to the PA 45 long rifle is lighter and was my first love,,,,,,,,,,,
Use them both as the mood moves you,one saves lead and powder and has a nice crack to the report,the other has a little louder roar and smoke,,,yep I see your problem,,,choosing...
Like dating twins,,,,,,,,,,,, good luck,if you work it out let me know how you did it,,5 days and the season is here...

 

[ebiggs1]

"... deer, the .45 is plenty adequate. ..."

Wrong adverb switch to marginally! :grin:

 

[Sperit de bois]

You shoot them right ,,,their DRT,, not marginally DRT,,,,but stone,, grave yard DRT... ...

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I`ve killed deer with both calibers and have never noticed any difference in "killability" between the two. The areas I hunt have thick cover though, and most of my shots are under 50yds. That said I usually hunt deer with a .45cal rifle. I base my choice not on "killability", but on the fact that I happen to like my .45cal rifle better than the one I have in .50cal.
In your case, having two barrels for the same rifle, I`d probably use the .50cal because more lead won`t be a bad thing. I also see your in Arizona? and probably will have opportunities for longer shots than I get in the thick woods and swampland I hunt here in Michigan.

 

[Dphar]

I'll ditto the others.
For general pleasure shooting, target and hunting up to (and including) deer, the .45 is plenty adequate. Uses less lead and powder.
The .45 was a very popular caliber for many years until the .50 craze somehow got started.

The 50 will buck wind better than the 45. From a practical HUNTING use perspective this in not of much importance. But in string measure matches were .001" count. It is a valid concern.
For matches of this type I would take a 50 over a 45 everytime.
45 is certainly adequate for deer I doubt the deer would know the difference.

Dan

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You didn't say what you like to hunt, if you will ever consider going west for something like an Elk, and what the twist rates are in the barrels.

You could use .50 PRB on an elk, some on this forum have, and if the twist is 1:48 and you find you get good accuracy from a conical in the .50 barrel you could go for elk or moose with no worries.

On the other hand...

see which one is most accurate and have fun at it

..., this is also a good idea. I still have my old CVA .45 caplock longrifle, as it's very accurate, and good as a backup, a loaner, and for my kids to start BP with.

If not going for anything larger than a deer, you could also have the .50 barrel reamed into a 28 gauge smooth rifle barrel, or simply hold them both, and see what happens over time. Somebody might offer a little coin for your extra barrel.

LD

 

[Trench]

I've just recently started shooting a .45 and I'm amazed by it. I'm used to heavier balls with crazy trajectories. For the first time, I don't have to adjust for elevation out to 100yds.

Now, of course, you're giving up some energy and momentum, but that doesn't matter for paper.

 

[Rifleman1776]

"... deer, the .45 is plenty adequate. ..."

Wrong adverb switch to marginally! :grin:

This is old ground, I'm not going to replow.
In my experience, PLENTY.

 

[410-er]

With that extra barrel it looks like its time to build another gun so you don't need to flip barrels. :hmm:

 

[nkbj]

Flavored a lot of rice with critters got with .44 round ball. Doesn't take very much powder to do the job.