Discuss: I have opportunity to purchase either rifle. I will need to shoot out to 100 yards regularly, and occasionally to 150 yds. I am inexperienced with muzzleloading rifles. Which one should I give preference to?
I appreciate that. If I had the budget for comparison, I would get both and write an article for you. I have one shot at this, and need to make the right decision. I was hoping someone had used either extensively, and could provide solid counsel.No,
you make a decision,
then come back and tell us how it worked.
What caliber(s) are you looking at?Discuss: I have opportunity to purchase either rifle. I will need to shoot out to 100 yards regularly, and occasionally to 150 yds. I am inexperienced with muzzleloading rifles. Which one should I give preference to?
.58 on both.What caliber(s) are you looking at?
I do shoot for fun quite a bit, but I shoot anywhere from 3 to 7 deer a year, and an elk when I come across one. It is primarily a hunting rifle. The choices are due to budget!I agree on the Hawken when held up only against the buffalo hunter but there may be other even better choices. Also with some considerations as to whether shooting at game or targets.
Unless I have things mixed up, the Navy Buffalo Hunter shot conicals kind of ok with 5” to 6” groups at a hundred yards, and that seems to be what it was intended to do, but it was quite the shot in the dark with patched roundballs unless significantly downloaded. Wanted one for years after reading Val’s African safari stories, but only owned one for a very short period of time (after being told not to do it) before moving on. Accuracy just wasn’t there for me.I do shoot for fun quite a bit, but I shoot anywhere from 3 to 7 deer a year, and an elk when I come across one. It is primarily a hunting rifle. The choices are due to budget!
I just need to be able to hedge my bet. I am curious if the rifle is accurate enough for "longer" ranges. I do a lot of general hunting with modern rifles, but have several spots that are often a stretch for a shotgun. 2 years ago, I borrowed my hunting partner's .50 and shot a doe at a touch over 100 yards, and last year killed a skipper at about 35 with an original 1861 Springfield. Occasionally, the best shots are a little farther. I also want to maximize my elk hunting during the muzzleloader season if needed.I have a few of the Investarms hawkens in .58. They are excellent deer rifles but I’d never shoot past 100yds and much prefer 50yds. That’s a long shot for a 58 cal round ball.
If you want range you should consider a smaller bore. Pending condition of the bore you should be able to find all the information here to develop an accurate load out of any muzzle loading rifle. Do some research on rb velocity at different ranges and see how fast it falls off. If Im shooting at 150yds it’s probably not going to be a rb. At least for me, my guns and my skills I can’t confidently ethically take a deer. Let us know what you decide to do.I just need to be able to hedge my bet. I am curious if the rifle is accurate enough for "longer" ranges. I do a lot of general hunting with modern rifles, but have several spots that are often a stretch for a shotgun. 2 years ago, I borrowed my hunting partner's .50 and shot a doe at a touch over 100 yards, and last year killed a skipper at about 35 with an original 1861 Springfield. Occasionally, the best shots are a little farther. I also want to maximize my elk hunting during the muzzleloader season if needed.
I just got a couple of inexpensive .50 Cals off the forum. I take a lot of folks hunting (mostly kids and new adult hunters from church) so I always have a spare gun or two for whatever we are doing.If you want range you should consider a smaller bore. Pending condition of the bore you should be able to find all the information here to develop an accurate load out of any muzzle loading rifle. Do some research on rb velocity at different ranges and see how fast it falls off. If Im shooting at 150yds it’s probably not going to be a rb. At least for me, my guns and my skills I can’t confidently ethically take a deer. Let us know what you decide to do.
Neither rifle on your list has a long enough barrel to attain the velocity necessary to make the 58 caliber preform..58 on both.
I see what you are saying. I was not planning on making a long range shooter, just one that could do a maximum 150yd shot in a pinch. Does that change your thoughts?Neither rifle on your list has a long enough barrel to attain the velocity necessary to make the 58 caliber preform.
If you want to shoot 150 yards with a 58, I suggest you save your pennies a little while longer and keep your eyes open for a 38"-44" inch barrel.
A 58cal really starts to shine as velocity gets up aound 2000fps.
Lots of practice, with just one rifle, will make you and the rifle form a bond.. Given your choices, I would choose the Hawken and start burning powder.I see what you are saying. I was not planning on making a long range shooter, just one that could do a maximum 150yd shot in a pinch. Does that change your thoughts?
I try not to make it a deal, but I am a former LEO and civilian weapons instructor. I don't know a thing about muzzleloaders, but I know how to shoot. I will carry it with me everywhere I go for a few weeks, and shoot the snot out of it. Also, I may have come into a couple hundred more dollars from a surprise bonus check. I might try to do better.Lots of practice, with just one rifle, will make you and the rifle form a bond.. Given your choices, I would choose the Hawken and start burning powder.
Big fan of 58 with patched roundball for hunting, though I prefer a shorter barrel than many (well under 30”) and use powder charges of 3F Swiss in the 80 to 90 grain range. For me, the fun goes away with heavier charges.I see what you are saying. I was not planning on making a long range shooter, just one that could do a maximum 150yd shot in a pinch. Does that change your thoughts?