Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders 50 or 54 cal?

possibly looking to buy a new flinter here in the near future with the money i make selling my Lyman Deerstalker or trade my Deerstalker for another flinter

ive always had 50 cal. What experiences have you 54 cal guys had? any benefits over 50? (ill be hunting whitetails)

i know there are a lot more readily available accessories and supplies for 50cal...

I don't think you will notice any difference on whitetails. I honestly haven't seen any difference between my 50 GPR and my buddy's 54 GPR. I've shot both quite a bit.

I have an old 54 CVA flintlock Hawken I am about ready to re-stock and restore. When I get her done and play with it a bit it's going on the trade blanket so I can buy parts to build a smooth bore trade musket.

hunted with my Dads 54 when I was in High School. Kicked way to hard and didn't kill any better than a 50. Bloodied my nose once.

The 54 doesn't have to kick harder than a 50. Depends how you load it.

I shot 50's for a number of years and took a few deer with them but haven't owned one in close to 15 years. I just like 54's better. Ain't no flys on either.

54s are more funner

And when you get a surprise chance to chase elk or moose, you will feel even better about it, though a .50 would never keep me home.

Brent

As you say the new gun will be a flinter I am sure you plan on using a round ball. If that is the case go with the 54. You can load down for paper and up for elk. I do not find the recoil of a 54 round ball bad even with a stiff charge. The big conicals will hurt but not a round ball.

Cliff

thanks cliff. i do use roundballs as i like to be as traditional as possible in our late season.

keep the info coming guys! looks like a split decision right now

Scott;

Keep your eyes peeled for a used Renegade in .54. They pop up frequently.

I had one, and it was FUN! FWIW, it now lives in PA, too.

thanks VA, where you at now? im from the Poconos

I'm not in PA; I sold the ML to a guy in PA here on the 'fire earlier this year.

Figured you were in the Poconos, or close to them.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a good flinter in this area for ya. After the first of the year, deals normally abound.

thanks! with the PA late season less than a week away i plan on hanging onto the Deerstalker until after the season anyways. Got my feelers out for now.

I really like the longer guns like a Lyman Great Plains which is why im looking to part with this Deerstalker. My dad has a T/C PA Hunter and that thing is a flat out shooter. wouldnt mind one of those either

I have a 50 and a 54 barrel for my TC Hawkin.(cap gun) Usually use conicals for hunting, but I can't really tell any difference in killing deer. I mainly hunt mule deer at ranges from 60 to 120 yards. Marty

How far west in NE?

For the OP: Oh and go .58

.54!
Seein you're in Pa., hop on the pike and visit Dixons .
Lots of nice stuff there and you can handle them and see how they fit.

The LGP is a damned fine rifle, and for roundballs, would be a great choice.

ttt

my cva .54 carbine (just a precussion cap, not flint), delt a mighty blow to the whitetail population in Ks in the pre 9/11 era. I just used 80 gr. pyrodex and deerslayer bullets...I think the deer died more from the shock (wave) and awe freight train effect boom, rather then a slightly more than half inch hole leaving a heaped wreck in its wake as the bullet continued on.

Don't know if it is the particular rifle, but I find the .54 to be more forgiving of different loads than the .50. Pretty much shoots everything I put into it pretty well. Nowhere near as touchy about a particular load.

I've got a Lyman GP .50, my Dad's .58 and a T/C Hawken in .45 and all of them have proven themselves on deer with RB's.

I do prefer using the GP though it just fits me better.