My only 2 reliable guns are my TC .45 Hawken and .50 Renegade. Tomorrow I'm gonna go make sure both are still sighted in good. I know plenty of deer have been killed by .45 roundballs but I really don't want to wound anything and not find it. Most of my "hot" stands right now can have shots from 10 yards, all the way to 70 or 80. I know my .50 will kill them out that far but I wonder will a .45 still do the job even if I make an undesirable shot, like in the shoulder. What do you guys think? I'm thinking 1st season I might just use the .50 because I've had it longer so it's more reliable to me. I guess we'll see how I feel after tomorrow :grin:
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Gun Dilemma for Opening Day
- Thread starter luieb45
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Go with the 50 if your mind is set for that, might as well be comfortable in your decision instead of wondering, confidence IS a big factor.
I'd be OK with the 45 if it wasn't too windy, outwords too 70-80 can cause alot of drift, inside 50 it'd still be a good bet.
I'd be OK with the 45 if it wasn't too windy, outwords too 70-80 can cause alot of drift, inside 50 it'd still be a good bet.
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I have no qualms about a 45, though I don't own one. But from your description the 50 is the one to start with.
mr.flintlock
40 Cal.
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I have taken deer with all of the popular calibers but the larger bore rifles have more horsepower and are more likely to leave an exit wound. I normally hunt with a 58 caliber because it makes a bigger hole when it exits. This can be important if you have to trail the deer.
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BOTH will get er done but you sound like you are leaning to the 50 so dont second guess yourself. Good luck to you :thumbsup:
The only deer my wife and I have killed with muzzle loaders have been .45 with patched round ball. Placement is the key. The .45 has plenty of killing power out to (my own self-imposed limit) 100 yards. However, do wat makes ye happy.
Maybe if I get a deer 1st season with the .50 then I can use the .45 2nd season and muzzleloader season. I'm going to use what I'm confident with. Thursday night before season opens I'll be so jittery checking to make sure my gun is completely clear and clean, and making sure I have everything I'll probably drive myself crazy!
50cal.cliff
58 Cal.
luie b said:
And if that feeling ever goes away that is when it is time to quit hunting! :haha:
Opening day all brings in all the what-if's but, if you have done you homework to get to that point, it all usually is just a great day. Whether you get a deer or not! Or at least it is for me. There is something about being one with nature that can make a man ask huge questions about life. Good luck! :thumbsup:
hanshi
Cannon
I've been using one or more .45s for years and have killed deer up to 75yards with them; all one shot kills with little or no running. My newest rifle is a .50, however.
SgtSchutzen
45 Cal.
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I`ve killed deer with both .45 and .50cal rifles and never noticed any real difference in "killability" between the two. If hit in a good spot I always find a dead deer within a 100yds or so. I would probably lean toward my .50cal if I thought I`d be taking shots much past 50yds.
Use whichever rifle your most comfortable with and can shoot the best. That`s why I usually use my .45, It`s easier to tote around the woods and I just like it better than my .50cal.
Use whichever rifle your most comfortable with and can shoot the best. That`s why I usually use my .45, It`s easier to tote around the woods and I just like it better than my .50cal.
