50 vs. 54

[chorizo]

"The Indian that was the Contrary in Little Big Man used a .50…."

You mean the guy that could never get anything right?

 

[Skeggs]

A very nice fellow I got to know some years back was a top-notch terminal wound ballistics guy. His short answer to best caliber, etc was simple: the largest diameter bullet, at the appropriate velocity for penetration, that you can accurately and comfortably shoot over and over, is the one for you.

 

[JRMan]

"PBR and Bourbon neat" life just does not get any better.

 

[brazosland]

I was like 8 or 9 when I saw that movie. That dude riding his horse backwards was a hoot to my child mind.

Still one of the greatest movies ever made.

 

[centershot]

1- Drop a 50 ball on your ingrown toenail
2- Drop a 54 ball on your ingrown toenail
3- Decide which one hurts more
4- Pick the one that hurt more

This sums it up pretty good! If you're shooting a PRB, the .54 will provide more energy downrange than the .50. It won't make any difference if you're hunting deer, whitetail or mulies, but if you're hunting elk or moose or bear, you'll want the extra penetration of the heavier ball.