Hello Everyone,
I recently came to the embarrassing discovery that a .50 Cal Pure Lead Cast Ball weighing in at approx 180 gr is a “Tad” lighter than one of them other zip gun projectiles that I been using on big game, (Deer, Black Bear, Elk), so I figured I’d ask for a little direction here.
The TVM Flint VA .50 that I have in the pipeline has a Rice Swamped 38x50 B Wt. Sq. Cut Rifling weighing in at 3.11 lbs.
With the above info, bbl specs, member input and the “discovery” I am thinkin’ that a better move might be to go with a Rice Swamped 38x54 C Wt. bbl Sq. Cut Rifling, weighing in at 4.3 lbs.
Though this will mean a pound or so more to lug thru the woods, that .54 220 gr PRB means more weight/penetration all else being equal lock/charge wise.
Yes, I understand that there could be some minor handling differences weight wise which could make a difference while hunting on the ground. While in a tree stand the difference is sure to be negligible, ok.
BUT WAIT”¦
At 4.3 lbs bbl weight for the .54 Cal you could also go with a TVM Rice .62/20ga Smoothbore Rifle much like that one I’ve seen RoundBall runnin’ the woods with.
According to the bbl manufacturer the same 38” swamped profile (Transition Series / Early American) in a Smoothbore is gonna come in at approx 4.4 lbs.
The weight difference between the .54 Rifle bbl and the .62/20ga smoothbore bbl is negligible though I am not sure about handling differences.
For me, the Smooth Rifle’s load versatility opens up turkeys, small game, buck n ball hogs, and a 350 gr PRB for big game.
I do think that the wide butt on the TVM VA platform will absorb the additional recoil of the .54 Rifle or the .62/20ga Smoothbore just fine.
I also feel that if chosen in Smooth Rifle form, it will group out to 75 yards with a PRB once I get rollin’ with a flinter. Max for me in .50 or .54 flint is 100yds.
So here I am at a cross roads”¦ .54 Rifle or go with a .62/20 Smooth Rifle?
Any help with the decision welcomed!
Thanks,
SawTooth
I recently came to the embarrassing discovery that a .50 Cal Pure Lead Cast Ball weighing in at approx 180 gr is a “Tad” lighter than one of them other zip gun projectiles that I been using on big game, (Deer, Black Bear, Elk), so I figured I’d ask for a little direction here.
The TVM Flint VA .50 that I have in the pipeline has a Rice Swamped 38x50 B Wt. Sq. Cut Rifling weighing in at 3.11 lbs.
With the above info, bbl specs, member input and the “discovery” I am thinkin’ that a better move might be to go with a Rice Swamped 38x54 C Wt. bbl Sq. Cut Rifling, weighing in at 4.3 lbs.
Though this will mean a pound or so more to lug thru the woods, that .54 220 gr PRB means more weight/penetration all else being equal lock/charge wise.
Yes, I understand that there could be some minor handling differences weight wise which could make a difference while hunting on the ground. While in a tree stand the difference is sure to be negligible, ok.
BUT WAIT”¦
At 4.3 lbs bbl weight for the .54 Cal you could also go with a TVM Rice .62/20ga Smoothbore Rifle much like that one I’ve seen RoundBall runnin’ the woods with.
According to the bbl manufacturer the same 38” swamped profile (Transition Series / Early American) in a Smoothbore is gonna come in at approx 4.4 lbs.
The weight difference between the .54 Rifle bbl and the .62/20ga smoothbore bbl is negligible though I am not sure about handling differences.
For me, the Smooth Rifle’s load versatility opens up turkeys, small game, buck n ball hogs, and a 350 gr PRB for big game.
I do think that the wide butt on the TVM VA platform will absorb the additional recoil of the .54 Rifle or the .62/20ga Smoothbore just fine.
I also feel that if chosen in Smooth Rifle form, it will group out to 75 yards with a PRB once I get rollin’ with a flinter. Max for me in .50 or .54 flint is 100yds.
So here I am at a cross roads”¦ .54 Rifle or go with a .62/20 Smooth Rifle?
Any help with the decision welcomed!
Thanks,
SawTooth
