.72 caliber muzzleloader

[jcp161]

I was looking at Cabela's over the weekend and saw a double rifle in this caliber. Anyone have any experience with this caliber for hunting or general shooting? Any comments on recoil? Loads? Thanks.

 

[guncobbler]

I have a 75 cal rifle. The .735 ball weighs 594 grains. Shot it with 130 grains by weight Pyro RS. My rifle must weigh 9 lbs. What was amazing was the push not snap of the recoil as it pushed my shoulder 2 to 3 inches back. No bruises but I'm not sure if the headache I had the next day was related to the 18 shots I fired...

You're not likely to get velocities that will give you a flat trajectory but that really doesn't make a whole lot of difference when you are keeping your shots to 75 yards. Have not had a chance to shoot a deer with this gun yet but I don't think I'll be very disappointed. The deer I've killed with a 12 gauge rifled slug did not go far.

Best of luck to you on your selection, GC

 

[nate c]

They are built by Pedersoli. I don't own one, but they have a good reputation for building a quality firearm.

You can search these forums for "pedersoli" to get information on general quality and other models from the same vendor, and on "kodiak" to get info on the specific rifle.

If I recall correctly they are available in 50, 54, and 58 as well as 72. Someone mentioned that if you get the 72 you can change out the barrels for a 2nd set in 12 gauge.

Dixie Gun Works sells them also. If you decide you need one, shop around and see who can get you the best deal.

 

[longfowler]

I have a 12ga smoothbore, which is .72 cal. I shoot it with a .700 ball over 80 grs 3f and boy does it hit hard at 50 yds, breaks swinging steel targets! with a rifled barrel you could use a heavier charge and it would just hit harder and farther out!

 

[jcp161]

Nate, you are right on both the maker and the calibers. The only one they didn't have at the store was the .58. Interestingly, the smaller calibers had longer barrels and were considerably heavier than the .72. More metal due to less bore I guess. I went in with the intention of purchasing a .50 but found that I liked the way the .72 felt better. Better balanced due to the shorter barrels and less weight. Just seemed like a little overkill for someone who will hunt deer with it four days a year. I wound up leaving confused with no gun. Thanks for the replies to this thread so far especially the loads and recoil info. Any comparisons recoil wise to a 12 gauge with sabots? Thanks. John.

 

[Rebel]

Well, i don't have the rifle, but i have a double barrel .12 ga that i shoot .690 rd balls over 100 grs of Pyrodex RS and it shoots real good. Recoil is about the same as a 3" Magnum .12 ga shot shell. But not a smack like smokeless, more of a hard shove.

 

[Mike Brooks]

I was looking at Cabela's over the weekend and saw a double rifle in this caliber. Anyone have any experience with this caliber for hunting or general shooting? Any comments on recoil? Loads? Thanks.

It will be a good hunting rifle. The recoil is going to be a bit much for general shooting.

 

[bpollock_sr]

That rifle will give you plenty of power to hunt anything in the US.That being said,check your states game laws to see if a double gun is legal to use during the ml season where you live. Here in NY only single barrel ml's are allowed.Ther are other states with similar regulations.

 

[Bob J]

I had the Kodiak in .58. What a neat rifle! Would recommend considering the .58 as being more versatile than the .72; .58 roundball is plenty for deer, cheaper to shoot, and you can always go with a conical if need be. The .58 is a tad lighter than the the .50. Mine shot roundballs with respectable accuracy with 100 grains 2f. It also did well with the Black Widow conicals. Now that being said, if the .72 really lights your fire, then go for it! I'm sure it's a hoot :thumbsup: