.50 versus .54 Caliber Rifle?

[longcruise]

I've pretty much decided I want a TC Hawken rifle, a renegade if I can find one. My issue is I can't figure out to go with a .50 or .54 caliber...

You can't go wrong with either caliber in your neck of the woods. However, you mention conicals down the road so I'm going to say get the .50.

If you want to shoot some conicals, the recoil of a conical from a .50 will be less unpleasant than a .54 conical. Then, if you hanker for a .54 later, get a drop in barrel with slow twist for round balls. I've killed deer with .50 and .54 and there is only one reason I carry a .54 rather than a .50..... Elk :wink:

As far as small game goes, either one is equally suitable (or unsuitable depending on shot placement )

 

[bramble]

Patrick,

I have a .50 TC Hawken that I've been using a couple of years (even through gun season). Even with "light" hunting loads (65 gr. pyrodex) most of my shots (PRB) have been through & through.

In NC I've found .50 cal. supplies to be the most commonly stocked. However, with the internet local supply issues are not as critical. Also, I can make a few more .50 balls from a pound of lead than .54.

Really can't go wrong with either, and as others have pointed out you always have options to change. You might consider tracking down someone who'd let you try .50 & .54 to see if one or the other speaks to you.

good smokin'

bramble

 

[Gus]

I just bought a TC .54 New Englander at a pawn shop, for $150. The shop owner and I figure the gun was sold because it was found to be defective with a plugged nipple! I swear its pretty as peach and shoots like a dream. I shoot home grown patches and roundballs with 60 gr. of Pyrodex or triple F g black powder. I prefer the black powder. The ONLY reason I want a .50 cal bbl for it is so my son can shoot on the line with the other 4-H kids, and we don't have to worry about having different size balls on the same loading table.

gus

 

[patrick_ford]

You guys are great.

I am slightly leaning towards the steel furnitured Renegade in .50 caliber but I have one other question to pose.

So the standard Hawken by TC uses a 15/16" wide barrel for .50 and 1" wide barrels for .54, but the Renegade uses a 1" wide barrel for both .50 and .54 caliber?

How much of a weight difference does this extra steel in the barrel pose on a 1" wide barrel? Does it affect the balance at all? These sorts of rifles are not exactly common in my neck of the woods so I might not necessarily be able to handle exactly what I am most curious about.

I have been able to handle a standard brass .50 Hawken from TC and I definitely liked the way it handled and balanced, but the brass put me off.

I also like the idea of being able to buy other barrels, but I’m sure that will not be any time soon and I probably would never go beyond a .54 caliber rifle. I think that I should have said earlier that I would be using round balls mainly, but after I learn more about muzzleloading I may try conicals, not necessarily in the same rifle I’m looking into here.

Thanks again for all of the advice,

Patrick

 

[BrownBear]

Can't tell you how much extra weight is involved with a 1" 50 cal, but it's worth it in the long run. The extra bit of steel over a 15/16" barrel lets you move into a 58 cal barrel and smoothbores when you are ready. Much as I love my Lyman GPR, I'm watchin for a Renegade at just the right price for just that reason.

 

[Rebel]

Check the classifieds here. There is a Real nice Renegade in .50 cal. I know the fella that owns it and have shot it personally and can tell you first hand it has a Really nice piece of wood in the stock and shoots real good, especially with the REAL bullets. At least at 50 yds which is as far as i shot it. :thumbsup:

 

[ldykeman]

I really don't think the barrel weights will be much different between the standard Hawken 15/16" .50 barrel and the standard Renegade 1" .50 barrel, as (I believe) the Hawken is a couple inches longer than the Renegade barrel. I have never had the opportunity to weigh them, but I bet Roundball knows the exact difference.
Larry

 

[cowpoke1955]

To me it's not so much a matter of weight, but feel. My GPRs feel lighter due to their 15/16" barrel and slimer forearm. I still say take a long, hard look at the .54 GPRs. Better looking and shoots great.

 

[roundball]

I really don't think the barrel weights will be much different between the standard Hawken 15/16" .50 barrel and the standard Renegade 1" .50 barrel, as (I believe) the Hawken is a couple inches longer than the Renegade barrel. I have never had the opportunity to weigh them, but I bet Roundball knows the exact difference.
Larry

.50cal standard Hawken 15/16" is 28"
.50cal standard Renegade 1" is 27"

I don't happen to know but wouldn't be surprised if the Renegade barrel was a tad heavier but it shouldn't be enough to speak of

 

[patrick_ford]

I like the look of a GPR, but I have a hard time these days buying some things not made in the US.

I also like TC's warranty and customer service compared to Lyman’s.

It looks like from my perspective right now, I think a .54 cal TC Renegade is the way to go. Now I need every complain or praise you fellows can come up with for that particular set up.

Patrick

 

[oldwolf]

I like the look of a GPR, but I have a hard time these days buying some things not made in the US.

Me too.

 

[JackAubrey]

I had a .54 calibre years ago.I own several .50's.I sold the 54.I had several RB 50's and a conical shooting 50 so the 54 was not needed.If I needed more poke than the .490-.495 PRB I went w/ a 385 grain conical.I'm just not a big fan of the 54.Best regards,J.A.

 

[patrick_ford]

So did the .54 have too much recoil for what you got in return?

I noticed that the cost of RBs is about $2 difference per 100 currently, what is the price difference in decent conicals?

Thanks,

Patrick

 

[E Poffinbarger]

Patrick:

Just for prosperity sake write this on your wall somewhere and sign my name.

Lyman GPR, .54cal, 32" barrel, 1:60 twist
~Lee .535 dual cavity round ball mold
and/or
Lyman GPR-H, .54cal, 32" barrel, 1:32twist
~Lyman 542622 Minie bullet mold

All of the above items are currently available through[url] www.midsouthshooters.com[/url], 1-800-278-3000, Clarksville,TN.

Osage