Most Accurate Caliber?

[FishDFly]

In the center fire world, some cartridges are more accurate than others.

In the muzzleloading world, assume the following:

1. No wind
2. Nice bright sunlight
3. Paper targets
4. Bench and offhand
5. Limited to one gun for 25, 50 and 100
yards
6. RB only

Which is considered the most accurate?:

1. 40
2. 45
3. 50
4. 54

RDE

 

[Norskie]

You'll get opinions, but there are so many variables just in guns... Okay, I'll go out on a limb so they can take potshots at me. I know you say no wind, but isn't there always some wind? A larger round ball is less wind sensitive than a smaller one.
Now I'm ducking for cover.

 

[TN.Frank]

From what little I've read there were a lot of 40's around "back in the day". That's got to say something about their accuracy, also, there's a custom T/C Hawken(forget the guy that made it up) that's won a lot of shooting matches at Friendship shooting the 40. That'd be my pick. Now if you're talkin' "chunk" guns then the bigger calibers will rule the day(58-62) because they're less wind sensitive. Of course in the "modern" muzzle loading world the 50 seems to be the status quo for caliber. From flintlocks to inlines 50 cal is to muzzle loading as the ol' 30-'06 is to centerfire. I'd still stick with my 40 anyday.

 

Just my opinion, but with the conditions you stated I'd probably go for the 40. Historically speaking, John and Caleb Vincent made some very nice half stock target rifles in 40 caliber.

Speaking in modern terms and from my first hand experience in Afghanistan, you'ld have an awful damn hard time convincing me that anything could top the 50 cal. It has an excellent ballistic coefficient!

 

[TN.Frank]

By "50cal" you're talking 50 BMG, not 50 round ball, right?

 

[Slowpoke]

RDE,
Hard question to answer but here's a couple things to consider.

1. It's rare to find a serious target shoot using anything over 45 caliber.
2. It's rare to find a serious bench shooter using anything under 50 caliber.
3. All serious target shooter have adjustable sights on their rifles because of the changes in yardage.

In muzzleloading, your rifle is going to have a "sweet spot" as far as powder goes. That is to say, a certain amount +/- a few grains that will give you a pin point accuracy. This "sweet spot" is also going to be limited to a certain distance.
any increase in distance is going to require sight adjustment. blah, blah, blah

 

[Flintandsteel]

IMHO,

For punching holes in paper, I don't think the 40 can be beat.

If you punch up the muzzle velocity and get it cranking, it is a VERY flat shooter. Also, at those high velocities, it doesn't beat the crud out of you.

I can sight in for a 6 o'clock hold at 25Y, will still be right on at 50, and center hold at 100y. Realise on regulation targets, the bull gets bigger on a .50, so as the trajectory of the ball is still rising at 50y, the hold at 6 o'clock will be about the same center as 25y.
With the drop at 100y, a center hold will then work nicely.

:youcrazy: :yakyak:

 

[Swampman]

The .54, no question about it.

 

[Nightwind]

TN.Frank, Chad Cleland is the name your recollecting (I got one :winking: ).
Smallpatch, I agree with you 110%

Them 40's can really zing in there. Mine does 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yds if I reload and swab between shots carefully.

 

[TN.Frank]

Chad Cleland, that's the guy. A pard on a local TN. forum has one, I tried to get him to swap it to me but he's hangin' onto it. :bow:

 

I'm referrinng to the BMG roumd firing a 660 grain bullet at approximately 2,800 fps with a muzzle energy of approximately 11,500 foot pounds. Makes one hell of a sniper rifle and it has sent more than a few enemy Towel Heads on a premature trip to Allah!!!!!! :thumbsup:

 

[paulvallandigham]

For those restrictions, I would also have to advise using a .40 caliber. If there is wind, I would recommend something larger, but no round ball does well in a cross wind, no matter the size. Those .40 cal. guns are sweet shooting, and send those balls down range at a very nice clip.

 

[roundball]

FYI...GM makes .40cal drop-ins for the Hawken

 

[jimeckersley]

Another consideration is keeping the ball above or below the sound barrier all the way to the target.

The .40 easily starts out at 1800 to 2000 fps and stays above the sound barrier all the way to 100 yards. You can achieve these velocities with not too much powder and little recoil. My .40 chronographs at 1850 fps using only 35 grains of 3F Swiss.

The bigger calibers, .58 and above, can produce very good results without a lot of fuss and recoil if purposely kept below the speed of sound.

 

[rabbit03]

Now look what you've gone and done! This might end up bigger than the Hawken post! :hmm:

My vote is not in yet, I have only been shooting for 34 years, I will let some of the more experinced shooters chime in first. I shoot a .45 though in competition.

rabbit03

 

[loophole]

I don't know the answer, but the folks who do are the chunk gun shooters. If the only question is inherent rifle accuracy, it will show up much more using very heavy guns shot over a rest. The best group I ever saw years ago when I was going to beef shoots was shot with a 54, but most of the time the winners used 45's or 50's if I remember correctly.

 

I've got a Ben Franklin in my wallet that says this post nor any post in this forum will ever equal the Hawken Post! Any takers? :hmm:

 

[faw3]

Nope . Back a while back in the perc site under "bench rifles " John H said 50 , and I'm going to go with that in aperfect world of no wind ect ect 40 yes to this and 45 to that, all around 50! and the 54 isnt bad also If you dont shoot all day and use "stomp your b....." charges. 50 cal, thats it. :bow: Fred :hatsoff:

 

[TANSTAAFL]

I always preferred the one I can hit what I am shooting at, nuff said.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Paper 40 all the way.

The only reason I didnt build one is because I have to ring gongs. At longer rangers the 40 is known not to have the poop to pop.

So I went a tad bigger 45.