.54, or .58 Maxi-Ball for Moose

[Landngroove]

I am trying to decide what to use for a moose hunt. A .54 T/C Maxi-Ball, 430 grains, or a .58 T/C Maxi-ball, 555 grains. Both calibers would be shot from T/C Renegade ml's, with 26" barrels. The thought of using the .58 with it's massive hitting power is tempting. On the downside, it must have quite an arc. The .54 would have more velocity, and maybe shoot a little flatter. I will be sighting in the .58 soon, as I have always shot PRB's out of it , and not Maxi-Balls. If anyone has experiance with these .58 Maxi-Balls I would appreciate any input.

 

[BS]

Guess it depends on which one groups better!

What are your loads?

 

[Rebel]

Either one, especially the .58, would work fine for moose with a well placed shot with a round ball too.

 

[F.G. Ford]

I have hunted moose in Quebec, using a Kodiak .58 cal.
With 90 grs. 3f and patched round ball, no problem.
Nine moose and only one needed a second shot.
Have no fear with the .58 cal. if " You " can hit with it.

Best Regards

Old Ford

 

[Landngroove]

I have shot PRB's only out of both the .54, and .58. For this hunt though, I want to use a Maxi-Ball, for maximum energy delivered. I plan to work up a load on both starting at 100 grains FFG.

 

[Mad Professor]

I have one of the old Lyman great plains hawkens (one barrel tang) in 58 cal, 1-48 twist. Use hornaday great plains conicals 525g w/90g FFg, groups good but have not tried on moose (yet).

 

[Mad Professor]

I have one of the old Lyman great plains hawkens (one barrel tang) in 58 cal, 1-48 twist. Use hornaday great plains conicals 525g w/90g FFg, groups good but have not tried on moose (yet).

Whoops, gun has one barrel lug

 

[hawk]

L&G, they both will do the job.
I say use the one your most comfortable shooting.
In 15 year of moose hunting our farthest shoot was only 60 yards.
:thumbsup:

 

[BrownBear]

Moose are really pretty easy to kill with broadside shots, which is all I will take. If you feel the need to angle your shots, the greater the sectional density of a bullet, the better your chances. The problem with moose is HOW LONG they take to drop. If they go as much as 100 yards you can find yourself doing your butchering neck deep in a river.

Two old Alaska sayings:

Never shoot a moose that's facing into the river.

You can kill them with a 22, but there's no such thing as too much gun.

 

[musketman]

I have shot PRB's only out of both the .54, and .58. For this hunt though, I want to use a Maxi-Ball, for maximum energy delivered. I plan to work up a load on both starting at 100 grains FFG.

There is the option of the .58 caliber minie-ball, 530 grains isn't nothing to sneeze at...