.58 Caliber hunting load advice

[TGJaeger]

I don't use an elephant gun to hunt deer, some like to.

“Use Enough Gun”…. Robert Ruark

…and excess is even better

 

[nchawkeye]

Davey Crockett's bear rifle "Ole Betsy" was a .40 flintlock. Just saying

Actually he went by David, Walt Disney put the name Davy on him...

We know of 3 rifles David Crockett owned, none were taken to the Alamo...He bought his first in 1803, it is a .48 caliber...He was given a rifle made by James Graham in 1822 that is a .40, it still survives and is in the Alamo...The third was a presentation rifle given to him in Philadelphia and is in a private collection in Houston...So, which of these was his bear rifle?? Another point most may not know, bears were typically treed and shot in the head so they don't mangle the dogs, so shots were often taken at fairly short range, accuracy was important...Also, they didn't always kill large bears, it may weight 50 pounds or 300 pounds...

 

[markdwhite15]

I can't screw with the guys in my old platoon anymore, so I thought I would stir this pot a little bit.

 

[Zutt-man]

I can’t speak on muzzle velocity, but my Kibler .58 gets 80 gr FFF, spit patched RB and drops Kansas whitetail dead at 75 yds.

 

[Art Caputo]

Having done some experimentation with my 58cal, your current load(assuming a 270gr LRB), should have a similar killing power at 50-75 yards to a 50cal loaded with LRB’s at 1800 FPS MV. The lower velocity of the 58 cal is off-set by the larger/heavier 58 cal LRB. Sighted in at 50 yards the trajectories will also be comparable to the 50 cal within an inch or two out to 75 yards. I’d personally hold my max hunting range to 50, maybe 75 yards. I run my 58 cal with 80gr(1400FPS) which is effective on whitetail at 100 yards. Increasing your charge weight(velocity) could increase energy and velocity, but you would have to check the effect on accuracy and velocity improvement with your shorter barrel length, and, the twist rate of your barrel. You could try increasing your charge in 5 or 10gr increments, or try 3F powder. IMO.

 

[Mr. Flintlock]

Yes

I have a short barreled (20.5 ") .58 cal Jeager rifle that I want to hunt deer with. It shoots great with 55gr. 2FF Goex powder. The velocity is about 1050fps. Is that enough to knock down a decent sized buck? Patched round ball .570 diameter. I usually hunt with .50 and .54 long rifles but I wanted to use this Jeager one time.

Thanks,
Don

 

[Jim Seidl]

Thanks for all the responses here. I’m getting started with a .58 and just got bunch of .577 minies at 325gr.

I agree with most out there. Shooting modern, I’ve had few shots over 75 yds. Doesn’t take a lot with whitetail. Actually, black bear are even quicker to fall.

Sounds like a 50-70 load should suit me.

Jim

 

[30338]

My shots range from 20 yards to maybe 110 yards. Mostly whitetails, mule deer and antelope. I've been shooting about 100 grains of ffg Swiss. I do it mainly to have a bit flatter trajectory to 110 yards but it is also quite accurate.

I'm sure 55 would work well and should be very mild in recoil. Let us know how you do please.

 

[Sun City]

In a 35” barrel with .570 dia PRB I use 120 grains 2F real BP and the accuracy is excellent!