.45 or .50 Cal for deer

[muskrat trapper]

The popular .50 Cal black powder inline rifles shot with a 250 gr. sabot end up with being a .45 Cal bullet travelling down the barrel. From experience, I can tell you this combination works well.

Good point. I didn't think of that. Minie conicals in 225 and 250 grs are available from Dixie Gun Works and Tracks of the Wolf. I expect a mold is not hard to come by either. 80-100 gr in a inline is the same as sidelock, so I am a little perplexed why those on Facebook think a .54 or .58 is the minimum size for deer. I have loaded down a 50 Cal Hawken for small game; I see no reason why I can't do the same with a .45

[MikePal]

, so I am a little perplexed why those on Facebook think a .54 or .58 is the minimum size for deer.

our friends to the south tend to think everything has to be bigger or at least a magnum

[Woodsman]

What hasn't been mentioned in this discussion about caliber size re: round balls, sabots/bullets and conicals is the role rifle twist plays in the equation.
If the rifle twist is designed for round balls using sabots or conicals will provide poor results.

[jaycee]

What hasn't been mentioned in this discussion about caliber size re: round balls, sabots/bullets and conicals is the role rifle twist plays in the equation.
If the rifle twist is designed for round balls using sabots or conicals will provide poor results.

You are right on with that statement.

[huntaway]

The biggest thing beyond shot placement is distance. The bigger the ball the farther it can be shot and still maintain enough energy to get the job done. Keep your range close and the 45 Maxi or Minne will get the job done.

HA

[MikePal]

Keep your range close and the 45 Maxi or Minne will get the job done. HA

As we've seen HA..the .45 patch/ball sure flies thru a cast iron frying pan at 50 yrd....a dear hide would be no match

[exocet]

Ml is one I haven't got into yet but will. However, I'd at first say, go big or stay home, but because of numerous new hunters who may read these posts, i'll say in sincerity, whatever you're most comfortable and confident with.

[huntaway]

As we've seen HA..the .45 patch/ball sure flies thru a cast iron frying pan at 50 yrd....a dear hide would be no match

Indeed it does Mike but close is better for walking critters. Even with my 50 or 54 I like them under 50. Will they get the job done at a 100, yes but that is a long ways out there with a flinter. Now the with my GPH 50, 100 is a chip shot and the Omega 150-200.

HA

[hollywood]

I have both a .45 cal (Pedersoli Plainsman) and a .54 cal (Thompson Hawken). A .45 cal lead ball is 130 grains and a .54 cal is 230 grains. (For reference a .50 cal ball is 180 grains). Since I like shooting patch and ball, I prefer the .54 for deer. If I was hunting with my .45 cal I would be using a Maxi type lead slug over a 130 grain ball. Just my opinion, however many deer were shot in the US with a .45 cal flintlock using balls in days gone bye. As previously noted, you need to know the twist rate to determine what the gun was made to shoot.

[muskrat trapper]

What rate of twist would you suggest?