50 or 54

In terms of availability of supplies, would I be better off making my first purchase in .50 caliber or .54 caliber? Thoughts?

 

[barebackjack]

Probably the .50. I had the same questions.

However, im no expert, but Im glad I went with the .54 instead.

 

[RickD]

I`ve pretty much stuck with 54 but sometimes wish I had a 45..

 

[Black Hand]

I'd go with the .54 cal. The supplies are just as easy to find, and it has a bit more knock-down power.....

 

[bob308]

it all depends. what are you hunting with it deer or elk? you using a round ball or bullet?

for deer and elk with a .50 round ball would do just fine. you doing bear then a .50 bullet or .54 roung ball.

i have used a .45 round ball for deer. none have ever needed more then one shot.

not saying it is you or any one here. but i have seen people try to make up for poor shooting by going to a bigger gun. happens all the time in the moderen stuff.

 

[barebackjack]

My choice was based on average shooting distance while hunting.

If you hunt in the eastern big woods, where you are in close quarters all the time, Id get the .50.

Im in ND, WIIIIIDE OPEN spaces. So my average shot is a little longer. So I went with the .54 to give me that added power at 100 yards. Just kinda cheap insurance if you will, just incase I do get a less than perfect hit.
I am however starting a parts list for a .50 cal flinter.

 

[playfarmers]

I went with the .50 and really like it, but if I was to do it over I would go with the .54. I may just do that.

 

[Le Grand]

J, Availability of supplies isn't the place to look for the answer to your question. Instead, what are you going to do with the rifle? If you want it primarily for targets or shooting in matches, try the .50. If you want it mainly for a hunting rifle, go with .54. Le Grand

 

Will use the rifle for targets, mostly. But, a friend wants me to hunt elk, with him, in New Mexico.

 

[Rebel]

If you are going to hunt elk then i would definately go with the .54 cal.

 

[cowpoke1955]

If you even think you may be hunting elk, then go with the .54. I started off with a .54 and just love it. Love the .54 so much I have two of them. Once you get started in black powder your next step is to start casting your own ammo, therefore, supplies is not an issue. Casting your own balls and bullets is almost as much fun as shooting them.

 

[redwing]

I really like shooting the .50 Cal. But for targets and hunting its the mighty .54. Shooting in the west means lots of wind targets or hunting. The .54 just works better in open country. The .50 will kill an Elk or Moose but the .54 gives that extra edge. Thats why so many of the orginal plains rifles were .53 and .54s they knew it back then. :thumbsup:

 

[jethro224]

A few of each.

 

[renovato]

You won't have trouble finding supplies for either. .50 is usually a little more available locally, but .54 is still quite popular. My preference has always been the .54 for its versatility. If you're going to hunt elk, I think the .54 has a slight edge. Bigger hole, heavier projectile.

 

[Zonie]

Will use the rifle for targets, mostly. But, a friend wants me to hunt elk, with him, in New Mexico.

Just my opinion, but if you are considering hunting Elk, you owe it to the animal and yourself to use the .54.

The .54's .530 ball weighs in at about 223 grains while a .50's .490 weighs about 177 grains.
The diffence helps the .54 retain its velocity a little better.

Then there's the "ego" side of things.
I've noticed when shooting at the range, even the centerfire guys raise their eyebrows a little and say things like "Ah .54 you say? Boy! That thing would be good for an elephant! I bet it kicks like a mule too!" (Of course, it isn't enough for an elephant and it doesn't kick very hard either but you don't have to tell them that. :grin: )

On a serious note, I've noticed that my .54's seem to be a little less sensitive to variations in the powder charge and they seen to be a little more accurate than the .50.

Whatever you get, your going to be happy!

zonie

 

[BrownBear]

I started out with a 54 while all my shooting buds had 50's. I still haven't bought a 50 yet, rather I bought an additional 54. In the meantime 4 out of my 5 buds have gone back and bought 54's or 54 barrels after shooting mine and seeing how it performed on game.

Not saying the 50 is bad at all, and in fact I still intend to pick one up. But in the small sample of our group, once anyone sees and shoots a 54, they usually mozy out to buy one.

I've whacked a lot of deer with 54 PRB, plus several elk and one moose. Nothing but smiles.

I finally managed to recover a 54 RB from a big deer last Saturday, and it still weighed 204 grains after going through a lot of deer and bones. About as big as a quarter now and still almost 1/4" thick in the middle. Yup, the deer hit the ground like it was electrocuted. Not normal performance for side to side lung shot which have always penetrated completely for me, but pretty impressive performance after taking out a shoulder and a couple of ribs then angling through about three inches of spine (steep uphill shot with the deer quartered toward me).

 

[Old40Rod]

In terms of availability of supplies,

.54 IMHO

 

[nchawkeye]

.54...roll your own balls...Then you need a .40 for the "rest"...

 

[HardBall]

Where I live... .50 is far easier to find cleaning jags and such for.

My new .58 means I have to do my shopping Internet style.

 

[john12865]

I own 45,50 and 54's. Go with the 54. Each has it's own advantages and disadvantages. If I could only have one it would be the 54 hands down. I even hunt squirrels with it. The trick is to blow the bark off the tree just under them. It does a nice job. If you do it right it almost looks like an olympic pole vaulter :grin: