Excessive Caliber Syndrome (ECS)

[wganz]

Could be worse, earlier in my life before I knew better, in the 'unmentionables' I had 74 German .mil pattern rifles in 14 different calibers. Two even had calibers that even Norma didn't make ammo for anymore... Came to my senses and loaded them all up to the local gunsmyth's consignment rack.

But in the muzzle loading world, all is needed is to melt down from one caliber to another. Something something about matter and energy cannot be destroyed but converted to another form. And that huge pile of lead by the storage house isn't going to melt in the southern summer sun.

 

[THE_LAST_WORD]

that was probably the smartest thing you could have done. i mean if you like the gun keep one for that reason, have the caliber changed , but it wont be worth spit after that, so make sure you like the gun.

abnd nope the lead will be there. the only reason i am waiting to buy the gun i am after is , i want to be sure of the cast of the bullet first. and i will look for a smith to change the caliber of the barrel after ive enjoyed the gun awhile. it will be like getting a gun i like alot , enjoying it, and making it into a gun i love once it has the true .510caliber. and no-one else will have one like that, and at that time i probably wont even brag about it. everyone with the stock gun like that will be jealous and asking me where i went to have that done. but that is all only possibility and chance atm.laterz, got something small furry and squeeking within earshot and my great dane is telling me he got the last one and its my turn, so pulling out the unmentionable that takes care of that particular furry

 

[GYJ]

Don't know what you mean. I only have .31's, .36's, .40's, .44's, .45's, .50's, .54's, .58's and .62's.

 

[new2bp]

Heck for my centerfire stuff I have 4 variations on 30 caliber things...

 

[SOLANCO]

Heck for my centerfire stuff I have 4 variations on 30 caliber things...

Only four?

 

[manbat]

I have no idea what you mean sir …

Diagnosis is definitely ECS, but luckily not matched with an ECBS diagnosis - Excessive Coffee Brand Syndrome.

 

[new2bp]

Only four?

Yup, pared down on calibers a few years ago, then got set up for reloading, and slowly re-expanding calibers again.

 

[45man]

Due to the great performance of a ML on deer I never found a need to go over 45 but I can say a 54 will open your eyes fast as deer never step out of their tracks. I see no need for larger unless a building needs taken down!
I was told a thousand times a 45 is too small, but after over 150 deer with my flintlock, I have some news for deniers.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Frederick Selous and his Caplock Rifle

LD

 

[BigAl52]

40 50 and 54 and then I got caught on the radar.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

.310, .350, .440, .445, .490, .495. I swear I'm goin to stop there!

… you’re ‘small bore’ there, huh?

 

[Relic shooter]

These big bore blasters are my kinda guys
My past 60 + years has been spent collecting & developing loads for original & mostly big bore rifles, pistols & revolvers.
This is a .70 cal French officer's pistol made so it will accept standard military round balls. It has fast twist micro-groove style rifling & produces very tight groups.

 

[Rudyard]

View attachment 162879

Frederick Selous and his Caplock Rifle

LD

His gun was a smooth bore duck gun or his start guns where He praised them for their stopping power but wished in later life he had never seen them. prefering his 461 number one Gibbs Metford FB BL "You can kill anything on earth with a Gibbs Metford "he opined . I once collected one from Christies for a customer in Melbourne & walked right past Buckingham Palace with one in a slip to get the export Licence from Milbank Towers offices Who issued it while I waited , far cry from today's paranoia .
Rudyard

 

[user 49399]

44, 45, 50, 62 & 69.

I don’t have enough time to shoot those.

 

[Sean E Bug]

I just love having options. these are just conical molds for my 36 cal revolver. for round balls I got .240, .311, .323, .330, 375, .390, .433, .440, .445, .454 .562, 575, .680, and a .818 on the way. I thought I had just black powder syndrome but I guess I got ECS too.

 

[Boatncamp]

Hmm......31,.36 (PRB and C&B), .45 (PRB and C&B), .50, .60, .69, .75 bet I missed at least one. Way too many calibers in unmentionables

Just an illness I have learned to adapt to.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I think the issue the OP has a question is why so many ml shooters want humongous bullets and calibers. I believe the reason is, with newcomers to this avocation, they still think in terms of modern guns. And, many still cling to the non-existent concept of 'knock down' power. With experience, and trying to appreciate the old ways, most dedicated mlers understand that mid-sized (e.g. 45-50) will kill bambi just as well with proper placement as a much heavier, and bigger caliber rifle will. My sermon advocating mid-sized calibers ends when the hunter starts going after critters like grizz and rhinoceros.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

I think the issue the OP has a question is why so many ml shooters want humongous bullets and calibers. I believe the reason is, with newcomers to this avocation, they still think in terms of modern guns. And, many still cling to the non-existent concept of 'knock down' power. With experience, and trying to appreciate the old ways, most dedicated mlers understand that mid-sized (e.g. 45-50) will kill bambi just as well with proper placement as a much heavier, and bigger caliber rifle will. My sermon advocating mid-sized calibers ends when the hunter starts going after critters like grizz and rhinoceros.

I have .50,.54 and a .62 smoothbore. If anything on the planet needs a bigger caliber to put it down, I will leave it alone and go after something else!

 

[appalichian hunter]

big balls baby, sling them if ya got em. .32 to .62 but the big bores are the go to even in the un-mentionables.

 

[SamTex1949]

this big enuff ? Hey it is a muzzle loader !!