Don’t sleep on the .50 PRB, Story and pic.

[ord sgt]

. And most want a rifle and load that's at least effective from 100 to 150 yards. And that's where the round ball falls way short. Typical .50 caliber round ball "big game" loads are only marginally effective on deer-sized game at 60 to 70 yards.

One of my hunting friends took a whitetail deer at 135 yards with his .45 calibre flintlock, with a .440 roundball. One shot dropped the deer. I had that deer in my sights when he pulled the trigger.

 

[Hawken1980]

I got this hog this weekend, funny thing is the owner made negative remarks about my gun, 50 caliber Kibler.

Needless to say it was a good hunt, but I will not be back. It was super disappointing to be looked down on for using a flintlock. I will be looking for a new spot in Florida

 

[PathfinderNC]

Nice hunting and rifle!
And yup, bring your business where you are appreciated.

 

[bud in pa]

Took some time to find it. This the article that got Bridges fired by Pedersoli:

"More than anything, it is the lackluster performance of patched round ball loads that make the majority of older guns unappealing to the modern muzzleloader hunter. These new shooters came into the sport to hunt the special muzzleloader seasons, not to relive history. And most want a rifle and load that's at least effective from 100 to 150 yards. And that's where the round ball falls way short. Typical .50 caliber round ball "big game" loads are only marginally effective on deer-sized game at 60 to 70 yards.

If the decline in the number of traditional muzzleloader shooters/hunters is to be reversed, muzzleloading rifle manufacturers and importers will have to begin offering a much better selection of older-style fast-twist bore bullet rifles, such as the originals that were popular during the 1840s and 1850s. These "traditional muzzleloaders" were capable of exceptional accuracy, range and knockdown power. Some would consistently produce 3-inch 10 shot groups at 40 rods (220 yards)."

Mule Deer, Elk and Western Big Game Hunting Articles and Stories -- MonsterMuleys.com

This was the fellow that I had a running discussion with. I guess that Timothy Murphy was using an unmentionable gun and bullet when he killed the British officer at the battle of Saratoga at a supposed laser ranged distance of 330 yards.

 

[Sun City]

At 200 yards a .50 PRB will shoot through 2" of hardened oak like a hot knife through a stick of butter!!

 

[Christophero]

Not to be contrary, but I have a difficult time accepting a 50PRB will cut through oak at the low velocity that a 200 yard shot will be. The soft lead would flatten too much. I'm not taking this from field knowledge of said projectile, though, only through my experiences of shooting many other lead boolits at targets over the years. I may stand corrected someday when I give that a try.

 

[rodinal220]

PRB or just plain lead ball in a C&B revolver kill far outside their "paper" ballistics. Nice piggy.

 

[bushytail]

Congratulations on your 1st kill with the smoke pole! I'm sure there will be more hunts with that gun in the near future.