Best caliber for target shooting

[Craig]

I am thinking of buying a Pedersoli Scout for my target shooting flintlock and I wondered if I should stick with .50 caliber or go to a .32 caliber. I welcome any information and suggestions.

 

[Mark Nasim]

I favor my .45 rifle for target shooting and hunting, but the my .50 comes in at a very close second, almost a tie really..............I like both.

 

[Stumpkiller]

The best caliber is the one that puts the balls closest together.

But seriously, wind will have less effect on the .50, so at longer ranges that will have an advantage. Other than that, IMHO, round balls are all created about equal and the variations between individual rifles make more difference than bore size. The sights that happen to be on any given rifle make a great deal of difference, too.

If you have a .50 that does not fit you and load it up with powder you might have a flinch problem.

If you are talking about interchangable barrels on the same stock, then the .32 will have a much heavier barrel and that could be a factor. In general, a heavier gun holds steadier (unless it's offhand and you're getting tired after a long session).

If you're going to shoot a lot, the .32 will be more economical in lead and powder.

If you're going for metallic silhouettes then the .50 will have the advantage in marginal shots. Also, there is a 0.09" advantage with the .50 in hole size that will get you into the next higher scoring ring in certain events.

 

I would concur with the .50 over the .32. If an option, many prefer the .40 and my personal fave is my .45, but I know several competition shooters who use the .50.

 

[donk]

I like my 40 cal for target and match shooting because it uses a light load. It doesn't beat you up after shooting 30 or 40 rounds and it is cheap to shoot. The only dis advantage I have with it is shooting heavy silhouettes. You just about have to hit the top half to knock them over. but this gun is accurate enough that that really isn't a problem. :imo:

 

[Mike Brooks]

I prefer the .40 for paper. I prefer the .54 for steel silouets. I never cared much for a .50 I do like the .32 for a squirel caliber.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

I am thinking of buying a Pedersoli

Then dont worry about high accuracy form a rack grade production gun.

I agree for punchin paper 40 cal, 45 cal for gongs. (lil more hitting power)

A Rice or Getz barrel are far better than production made.

I went out of my way to get a 45 cal, deep groove, round bottomed, stress relieved, slow twist Rice barrel.

 

[thomas]

I like the .40 cal. for target shooting myself.

Thomas

 

[gordy]

For me,the .45cal. seems to be a little more compatable to target work.I've seen many production bbls. that shot excellent groups.both in cartridge guns and muzzleloaders.Haveing a custom bbl. is great if you can afford the cash outlay.I don't know that it's worth the difference in price.Most people can't ring out all the accy. in a good production bbl.Theres been more than a few matches,where the production bbls.have won out over some very expensive custom guns.

 

[JeffinNZ]

The best calibre for target shooting is the one that allows you to shoot at your best.
IE: if a .50cal makes you uncomfortable shoot a .40cal.
:m2c:

 

[Craig]

Thank you, all, for your opinions. One of the reasons I put the question up was that I own a Pedersoli Kentucky rifle, standard in .50 caliber. It would save me a little money to just stick with .50 caliber, but if there would be a significant reason to go with a .32 over a .50, I would do it. It appears to be personal preference more than anything else, so I will stick with a .50 (if I see my way to buy anything at all).

The reason I am thinking of buying the Pedersoli Scout is that I like my Pedersoli Kentucky but I think I would enjoy a shorter (slightly lighter) gun for shooting. I might even go shooting more because of it. I get out once per year for the past 3 years with my Bess and now my Kentucky.

Again, thanks for your advise.

 

[Craig]

Gordy,

Thanks for your opinion on production guns. I would love to be able to buy myself a TVM, but the money just isn't there and for what I do with my flintlocks, I should stick with a less expensive gun rather than go into debt. To get an even more pricey gun from a completely custom manufacturer..? well it is a lovely dream along with cigars and brandy in my study/soldier room/flintlock collection display, but it ain't in the cards for me.

Craig

 

I am thinking of buying a Pedersoli

Then dont worry about high accuracy form a rack grade production gun.

I agree for punchin paper 40 cal, 45 cal for gongs. (lil more hitting power)

A Rice or Getz barrel are far better than production made.

I went out of my way to get a 45 cal, deep groove, round bottomed, stress relieved, slow twist Rice barrel.

Maybe. I have seen factory rifles from the likes of TC and Pedersoli shoot very well. At a recent club shoot the winner was shooting a stock Pedersoli "kentucky" in .45. Several of us were shooting custom rifles. I have seen Green Mountain barrels shoot rings around all comers and they make drop-in replacements as well as barrels for custom guns. Getz, Rice, Colerain, and others do make fine barrels, but in my experience [in offhand shooting especially]many factory barrels shoot plenty good. That said, my barrels are old Green River (my most accurate, no longer made), Colerain, Longhammock, Getz, and a couple of 'unknowns'...including an accurate .40 with a tapered barrel.

 

[roundball]

I am thinking of buying a Pedersoli

Then dont worry about high accuracy form a rack grade production gun.

I agree for punchin paper 40 cal, 45 cal for gongs. (lil more hitting power)

A Rice or Getz barrel are far better than production made.

I went out of my way to get a 45 cal, deep groove, round bottomed, stress relieved, slow twist Rice barrel.

Maybe. I have seen factory rifles from the likes of TC and Pedersoli shoot very well. At a recent club shoot the winner was shooting a stock Pedersoli "kentucky" in .45. Several of us were shooting custom rifles. I have seen Green Mountain barrels shoot rings around all comers and they make drop-in replacements as well as barrels for custom guns. Getz, Rice, Colerain, and others do make fine barrels, but in my experience [in offhand shooting especially]many factory barrels shoot plenty good. That said, my barrels are old Green River (my most accurate, no longer made), Colerain, Longhammock, Getz, and a couple of 'unknowns'...including an accurate .40 with a tapered barrel.

Mike, I appreciate your candor about accuracy of modern made mass produced barrels...it's an excellent counter point to the statement: ".....Then dont worry about high accuracy form a rack grade production gun....." which I thought sounded a little demeaning but I'm sure the poster didn't mean it that way.

Just as you mentioned, I too have enjoyed excellent accuracy in TC and GM barrels...and unless someone is talking about using a micrometer to measure group size differences or something, with TC and GM barrels being made with today's quality manufacturing processes, I can't imagine their performance being generally different from other[url] barrels...in[/url] fact, I'd bet their accuracy potential is greater than most shooter's ability to wring that potential out of them...I know they give me excellent accuracy and I'm just a weekend shooter with no special skills and 60 year old eyes.

So FWIW, I agree...people should get what appeals to them, get what they can afford, and go enjoy this great hobby...I'm tickled to death with clover-leafs and even the occasional ragged hole at 50yds out of a $350 investment...
:thumbsup:

 

[Donny]

I have been to a many shoots where the winner shot a CVA, or some other less expensive rifle. (offhand). like golf and fishing, some of us think we can buy more success. When the winner used a customish gun, I believe he won because he was more serious about shooting, eg. spent a lot of time and powder at the range. a lot of time. ... I like a smaller cal. for a day or two shoot. :: I start flinching (offhand) after a while with my large caliber rifles with even a moderate charge.. My little .36 really cracks with 15 gr FFg. ::

 

[Craig]

Mike,

Thanks for the defense of production guns. Since I was the one cut down for thinking of a production gun, I want everyone to know that I am assuming Johnny Tremain is proud of his custom gun and has more money than I do (not hard).

Did I initially take offense at his wording? I spent $450.00 on my Pedersoli Kentucky and $650.00 on my Pedersoli Bess Carbine. That's a lot of money for toys.

Again, he is proud of his investment in his custom guns as would I be if I had custom guns. I am proud of my Pedersolis and have written Pedersoli to tell them.

Whatever my initial feelings at Tremain's remarks, I rapidly assumed no ill will intended by him.

Thanks, again, Mike, and thanks to everyone for your responses to my query.

Craig

 

[walruskid1]

rusty musket, i love your signature line. the only thing that i could add is that you only go around once!

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Whatever my initial feelings at Tremain's remarks, I rapidly assumed no ill will intended by him.

Craig

Certianly no offense was intended. Every production gun Ive ever owned, shot or repaired, needed to be tuned to get more out of it.

I was trying to convey the custom stuff is made with tighter tolerences and the specs are generaly above those of the production guns I worked with.

My Petrocelli 1803 Harper's Ferry, tho not hardly PC. Was a long range straight shootin cannon. When it worked.

When my EX and I seperated, twas the guns we fought over. She got that one :-(

When I build a Harper's from TOTW and The Rifle Shoppe parts, holy cow was there a weight and shooting difference.

 

[Craig]

Great! We are all friends, then. Life is too short for anything else! Thanks for all of your input. I have learned a lot from this forum and look forward to learning a lot more!

Craig

 

[Craig]

walruskid1,

There has got to be flintlocks in heaven and beer after we finish cleaning our guns, right!

Craig