Caliber Question

[NYS]

I'm looking at purchasing another traditional muzzleloader. My primary deer gun is a .54 caplock, which I truly love. But I want to go afield for a little more variety. The .54 puts a HUGE hole in a squirrel. So I'm looking at a smaller caliber, probably a .45 or a .50 caliber. Although I don't expect to be hunting deer with it, I'm not opposed to the opportunistic shot. Minimum caliber for deer in my state (NYS) is .45, and I know that a .45 would be OK for squirrel, rabbit, woodchuck, turkey, porkupine, etc. But, that being said, I also know that folks take small game all the time with a .50. So, looking for some input. Which caliber would you choose and why? Thanks in advance.

 

[roundball]

I'd choose the .45cal...

You already have a .54cal, and just stepping down to a .50cal is not all that much of a difference.

IMO, the .45 is an outstanding caliber...I've throttled back the powder charge to 30-40grns Goex 3F, both are extremely accurate, and have shot squirrel with it. In addition, on two different occasions squirrel hunting with the 40gr Goex powder charge I had a 5 point, and a doe come along, shot each of them in the heart at 20 yards and they7 dropped within sight.

And using the 128grn ball with a good stout powder charge it's also excellent as a deer hunting caliber...with it's lighter ball, I think of it kind of like the .243 of the muzzleloading world so-to-speak...and hunt it in places where I know a deer shot will be in the 25-75yd range...not 100-125yard range...make sure to avoid big bones, and pay close attention to shot placement..heart / low double lung.

So I'd suggest the .45cal...

 

[nchawkeye]

I have a .40 and a .54...Squirrels need to be head shot with either...I had a .45 and rebarreled it to a .40 (so I could use the 3/8 ramrod), guess a .32 or a .36 would be more "proper" for squirrels, but a .40 will do for head shots.

Frankly if you have a .54 I'd go smaller than the .45...

 

[Headhunter]

If 45 is the Minimum for deer in your state, I would get a 45 and use it for small game and a backup for your 54 on deer.

You never know when you will get thrown and your horse step on your 54 stock.

Headhunter

 

[Rocky Johnson]

Even with a .32 cal.you need to make head shots on squirrel.
But you deserve another rifle,so take Roundball's advice an get that custom .45 flintlock you have always wanted. :winking: Rocky

 

[NYS]

Yup. That's my plan. Thanks to all the great input I've gotten from this forum, looks like a semi-custom .45 flinter is in my future. Anybody want to send me the money to pay for it??? HAR!!!