.50 cal round Ball

[lonewolf172]

Question. Would anyone hesitate using a .50 .495 182gr round ball for deer?

 

[TreeMan]

Probably THE MOST POPULAR muzzleloading caliber for deer hunting. I’d have to say yes.

 

[lonewolf172]

Probably THE MOST POPULAR muzzleloading caliber for deer hunting. I’d have to say yes.

Sorry a little confused. Are you saying you would not use a .50 for deer hunting or that you would?

 

[mooman76]

A 45 RB would also take deer so certainly a 50 will if you do your part.

 

[lonewolf172]

A 45 RB would also take deer so certainly a 50 will if you do your part.

Ok thanks.

 

[lonewolf172]

Ok thanks.

This is a toss up. 1) .50 cal Lyman Great Plains rifle for $672 or 2) .54 cal Lyman Signature Series for $805? That's $133 difference between the 2

 

[pilot]

The 50 works great for me hunting in north Missouri where we grow them big.

 

[Roundball2319]

I like the 54 but for deer a 50 works fine as well.

 

[Nameless Hunter]

Depends on you budget. The 50 is more than enough for deer sized animals. OTOH, the 54 does provide a little more whompability for bigger animals. If I "had" to choose just one, I prefer a 54, but that's just a personal choice.

 

[ord sgt]

I took a deer with a .495 roundball dispatched from my Pa. longrifle. It does work. One shot kill.

 

[Enfield1]

Question. Would anyone hesitate using a .50 .495 182gr round ball for deer?

I have had no problem downing a Georgia buck with a ,490 patched round ball over 70 grains of 2FG. In fact, I wanted the ball as a keep sake, but it went through the deer and kept going.

 

[cvco]

I have not hunted with a ML but as I know, .50 IS the normal round used and someone can correct me if wrong but whats allowed around the states isnt much smaller.

 

[Daniel Getz]

I have killed many deer with a .490 patched round ball.

 

[Gary Russell]

Question. Would anyone hesitate using a .50 .495 182gr round ball for deer?

I have taken mule deer with 45 and 50cal round ball both never had any issues

 

[TrapperPete]

as always keep distances reasonable a 75 yard max and good shot placement , and yes it has probably taken a million+ deer

a 50 cal 385 gr conical will punch a deer end to end and I would not hesitate to take a bullalo with one at reasonable distance

deer are not buffalo a round ball is plenty sufficient at around 50 yards

 

[tenngun]

I’ve taken more then one with a .50, have known people to take some with .45. This century its been .62 till this year a .54, but in those cases from smoothbore. My very first ml deer... infact my fist deer was a .50, all with round ball.

 

[S.Kenton]

I’ve killed deer with 40, 45, 50 and 54. All of those caliber are lethal for deer. Shot placement and knowing your own limitations on distance are key to an ethical kill. My very first Muzzeloading deer was a 50 caliber.

 

[Art Caputo]

No hesitation at all with a 50 or 45 cal. LRB. Keep a well placed shot at reasonable range (<75 yards) and you will have a dead deer.

 

[LME]

No hesitation at all with a 50 or 45 cal. LRB. Keep a well placed shot at reasonable range (<75 yards) and you will have a dead deer.

As others have said a well placed shot from a .50 cal. ball will drop a deer in its tracks and so will a .22 bullet. Have you ever wondered why the ML,s made for the Civil War were .58 cal.? The truth is it does a better job on marginal shots!

 

[Tannehill]

Have killed many a deer with.440 PRB over. 60 grains 3f and .490 PRB and 70 grains 3 f. Shot placement and range.