Everything Says Use This Rifle

[oneshot]

Ok I got cheap Guns.But any way I've use this Rifle to kill many Deer,it is a 54cal. CVA St.Louis Hawken,shooting Patch and Ball,pushed by 90gr.Pyrodex.This Rifle does not kick,in some ways it is easier to clean than my other.This target shows 3 shot group at 100 yards off hand.

Now I have a CVA Staghorn 50cal.,shooting 240gr.Cheapshot Sabot,pushed by 100gr. Pyrodex.Killed many Deer with it.Put Bullets in the Bull at 100 yards,it has Fiber Optic Sights,plus a New Scope.Kicks like a Mule,but has more energy down range.

My problem is I bought the Staghorn for backup,but the last couple years found myself taking it out first of the season,then not killing any Deer with the Hawkens.Like I say I have a new Scope on the Staghorn.I'm afraid its going to be too dark to see the open sights.

In some ways I feel I need to take the Hawkens,I've got 6 Tags to fill,I don't want to be kicking myself Sunday.Here is the Taget from the Hawkens.Season starts Saturday,runs for a month.

oneshot 1

 

[Rebel]

If that is a 3 shot offhand group with the Hawken, why not just sell the Staghorn and keep the real muzzleloader, and then you won't have an excuse not to take the Hawken. :: And also, why weren't you entered in the ML'er competition if you can shoot like that? Might have given 'Ol Bob a run fer his money. ::

 

[musketman]

Simple, use the one that gives you the best results, save the other to loan to your in-laws so they don't do better than you... :winking:

 

[oneshot]

Rebel done had a Guy say he would take the Hawkens off my hands for the same reason.

As far as Shooting Competitive I let my Meat Pole tell me how I'm doing.

Musketman they both kill dead,about the same.But I sure do like shooting the Hawkens.

oneshot 1

 

Absolutely agree with the guys. The .54 is the best hunting rifle for deer. It is flatter shooting and has much les recoil, which will allow you to shoot it better. Your 'group' is terrific.
: We had a fellow in the moose camp this fall, who shot a big moose at 170yds.(lazer range finder) with a 100gr. RS Pyrodex (not recommened to shoot his far, BTW)The guide didn't tell him how far it was, just that it was well under 200yds. hold on his back line. Well, Kip did and the moose went 40yds. and dropped DEAD. The ball was under the hide on the off side, after holing both lungs and the heart. He used a .535RB with .015 OxYoke borebutter patch. The rifle used was a .54 TC Hawken. His normal RB barrel, a Green Mountain barrel he had fitted, at 32", was ruined by a gunsmith just before he came up here for the hunt. Although he was disappointed with the ruined barrel, the 48" twist 28' barrel with shallow rifling did just GREAT with the tight ball/patch combo. His 100yds group was about 5" off a rest with the open sights. A mature bull moose has a minimum of a 28" kill zone without hitting major bones. It's larger if you include hits through the bone.
: The bottom right is the round balled moose's rack.
: It is a very large picture, about 800kb. so I only included the address.
http://outcast.homeunix.org/uploads/DSCF0031.JPG
; Bottom right = ML moose 170 yds. truck hood rest w/ scorch - HA! the Point Of Impact was about 30" below the Point Of Aim.

 

[KyFlintlock]

Go with what you have the most faith in... Great shooting!

How much of shooting rests on your confidence? A TON! You have to be confident with a group like that. Leave the scope for modern season and let that Hawken show you she can help with puttin' the sway in the meat pole.

Good luck
wess

 

[Stumpkiller]

There are certain features, beyond accuracy, that make a particular design of gun feel right for hunting. I'm not exactly sure what they are, but you know it when you find one. I'm certain it is different for each person. I have a pump .22LR that is not particularly accurate but it is my favorite squirrel and bunny rimfire. It's light and fast and I can hit moving targets better than with any other. I could probably shoot skeet with this rifle. It just fits me and comes up on target.

Could be the case with your two. The Staghorn may fit you better, or have some other uniqueness that makes if feel better to you as a hunting tool. There are lots of reason's I'd try to talk someone out of an in-line (I assume it's an in-line), but "Because I like it" is a hard one to challenge.

I was trying to find a picture of one: 30 hits but no pictures, even on CVA's own site! MUST be an ugly gun. :crackup:

Must be a good cook.

Like I say I have a new Scope on the Staghorn.I'm afraid its going to be too dark to see the open sights.

Scopes must have come a long ways since I bought one (20 years?). I always preferred iron sights in low light because I couldn't see the crosshairs well.

 

[Huntinfool]

they both kill dead,about the same.But I sure do like shooting the Hawkens.
oneshot 1

According to your own words oneshot you should take the Hawkens huntin'. :redthumb:

Chuck