Anyone ever hunt with something like this?

[Greg Blackburn]

I saw a youtube video where a guy used a percussion version and killed a deer.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Sho...705083;cat104701680;cat104503680#BVRRWidgetID

Thoughts?

Greg

 

[M. De Land]

Get close! MD

 

[rodwha]

IIRC the .50 cal has a max load of 40 grns. My ROA holds 45 grns.
No real benefit IMO unless you live where there are caliber or muzzleloading restrictions.
I do have muzzleloader restrictions for muzzleloading season, but I found that I am struggling with reliable hunting groups (I aimed for 4" or less) at 25 yds with my cruddy vision. Was 20/50 last I had it checked years ago. First I obviously need glasses.

 

[BillinOregon]

Greg, unless you are stuck on flint, I'd really go with the Lyman in .54. It will pack a bigger punch, and the Italian firm InvestArm that makes the Lyman guns just seems to have better quality control. They are also cheaper than the Trapper -- check Midsouth.

 

[capt_turk]

Make sure you check your states laws. Many have minimum barrel length restrictions. I think Florida law says minimum 11" barrel, and min. 40 caliber.

 

[Dickydalton]

I have one in percussion.With a 40 grain charge behind a patched .490 ball it has the power.

 

[Billnpatti]

While it's possible to kill a deer with a pistol like this, it is also quite probable that you will only wound a deer if you are not quite close and a good shot with a pistol. Additionally, it may not be legal in your state to hunt with such a pistol. If your state allows you to hunt with such a pistol and it is something that you want to do, you first need to get in plenty of range time to be sure that you are capable of putting your shot where you want it to go. Then only take your shot when the deer is within pistol range. I'd suggest that pistol range is the same as bow range.

 

[Dickydalton]

I agree and have neve hunted with it.

 

[David W.]

I used to carry one (in percussion) for a back up in case the deer I shot was wounded and needed a 2nd shot to finish it off. When I got my .62, I never had a wounded deer.

I sold it, but wish I had hung on to it.

 

[onepaw]

i killed a couple doe with my 50 cal percussion...

 

[aeatwood]

Dan Pharris has a photo on here of a mule deer legbone that was pretty thoroughly totalled by a .54 PRB and 35 gr. of powder from a pistol.

That said, range would have to be short enough to be CERTAIN. On a good day, I could pretty much stay in the kill zone of a deer at 75-100 yards with a pistol. But I wouldn't take the shot a more than 30, to allow for buck fever and Murphy.

 

[Jumpshot]

I read an article several years ago, I think it was in Blackpowder Hunting magazine (which no longer exists). A guy wrote an article about taking a deer with a flint pistol. I forget which state he was in, but the state's regs required that the load produce a certain number of foot-pounds of energy on the target (I don't remember the number). He chose a Pedersoli flintlock .54 Kentucky pistol.

With some chronograph work, he determined that it met the requirement within the range he expected to shoot. He got his deer while in a treestand, something like 10-15 yards, the deer dropped with one shot.

So it can be done, but you need to find out what your state's requirements are (if it's even legal to begin with).

 

[Joe Sullivan]

It'll prob'ly sm oke a rabbit.