.50 vs .54

[Hocka Louis]

And I shoot .28 to 2.75" blackpowder. Go .50 if hunting is just part of your interest. I'd go .54 if hunting is the main or most important aspect...

 

[mustanger]

Chris: Availability is a viable concern. Yes everything is out there, (someplace). ie: internet, catalogs, online catalog stores. However all the stores and shops I have stopped at, and I do get out a ways on occassion. There is a Gander Mountain store 130 miles from me. They all say the same thing, " Everybody is going to the .50." Finding .54 & .45 stuff can be hard. Usually it is some odd item that's still left over, on the shelf. If I find that even. I have found everything I needed for my .54, and I did stock up. Got some good prices, but shipping cost a bunch.
Wheather or not everybody is actually going to the.50 only, the stores around here are. The ones that still carry bp supplies, that is.

 

[longrifle346]

I'll agree with you mustanger about local selection, it just ain't there unless you shoot inline. But I'll also add that everything traditional I could ever want, dream of, or think I might need is available online and in an infinitely larger selection than any store I'll ever walk into and with no travel time or fuel involved. Generally by the time I schedule a trip to anywhere where the needed supplies are stocked I could have bought it online, had it delivered, and had benefits of having it in hand.

It's gotten to the point that unless you have a Traditional BP specialty store still inoperation nearby(let me know how that works out for ya...) the box stores aren't gonna help with much, maybe graulated subs if you're lucky. I refuse to shoot Powerbelts over roundballs, can't use pellets, and percussion caps have been replaced by 209 primers since the newfangled front-stuffers hit the shelves.

There are too many readily available sources for traditional supplies online to let that hinder a selection nowadays. Throw in time and fuel @ $3.79.9 a gallon and online is still a bargain....

 

[PRM]

I doubt seriously that you would ever tell the difference. Between a .50 & .54 using patched round ball, my choice would be which rifle I liked and which I could get the best deal on.

I've owned both a .50 and .58. Of those two I would pick the .58. Today, my BP long arms consist of an H&R .45 Stalker and a Pedersoli .75 Brown Bess Carbine.

I really like the big smooth bore. If I want, I can shoot a big patched round ball or I've got a nice shotgun. Really expands your options. I also have a Pedersoli Howdah side by side .20 gauge. Loaded with buck and ball its pretty awesome.

 

[duelist1954]

I have both a .50 and a .54 flintlock longrifle, each from TVM. The .54 is strictly a hunting rifle for me. It is sighted in at 100 yards, and it is my go-to rifle for Deer. I have taken deer with a .50, but I've also taken deer with a .45 roundball. I just feel better with the extra power of a .54 caliber ball pushed along by 110 grains of 2Fg.

However, my .50 is my utility infielder. I have it zeroed at 50 yards and it is dead on from 25 to 75 yards with 70 grains of 3Fg. I use this for all of my target shooting at events, and general, knock around shooting.

If I go off for a woods walk I usually take the .50 or my 20 ga fowler. But if I'm after deer for the freezer, I take the .54.

 

[Pancho]

I've taken two deer with my 58 cal. using minie balls and the resulting wound was a shock. Lots of overkill. Makes me wonder why the military leaders during the civil war thought that 58 cal. was needed to take down a man.

 

[giggitygiggity]

The .54 offers more power. However, I've killed a ton of dear with my Thompson Center Hawken in .50 using nothing by round balls and wads. 80grains of FFFg in the barrel and a wad and ball definately do the trick. Also, .50 is more readily available and cheaper than .54. I'd go with the .50 route if I were you.

 

[KenHulme]

Pancho said "...58 cal. using minie balls and the resulting wound was a shock. Lots of overkill. Makes me wonder why the military leaders during the civil war thought that 58 cal. was needed to take down a man."

It all has to do with the amount of knockdown energy necessary for a given size critter (including human) at the "normal range". A big, heavy, slow mover like a .58 minie ball, and a small, light, fast mover like the .223 from an M-16 have approximately the same impact energy despite the fact that their muzzle vedlocities vary so much. If you check the ballistics, virtually all military long arms produce the same amount of impact energy at say 100 yards.

 

[junkman_01]

They went to .58 because they came down from .69 caliber to be more humane!

 

[Hocka Louis]

.54 is going to carry more energy. Simple physics.

This is not the case unless you mean at some point at long range all other things being equal, which they aren't. Energy is a function of mass and VELOCITY. A lighter ball with the same powder will travel faster -- same energy. I am simplifying this but THAT is simple physics...

 

[Hocka Louis]

Dupe post -- sorry.

 

[longrifle346]

LMBO! Hocka Louis....you're right! With that qualifier(lighter projectile, same quantity of the same powder) the 50 is faster. Simple physics and I'd agree. THERE! Now let's get back to the real world and the practical applications of those simple physics. A VW will outrun a Cadillac if they have identical engines....think maybe that's why they use larger engines in the heavier Cadillac?

How many serious shooters use the same charge in both their 50 and a 54 in any practical shooting application past backyard squirrels? Heck, most 54 shooters use larger charges for just paper punching.

C'mon buddy. If you love the 50 just say you love the 50. If you want to save a few grains of powder and/or you're not a fan of potential recoil differences say so. No harm, no foul. But if you're gonna make a comparison at least compare apples to apples if you will please, no more smoke and mirrors. If you took an unbiased poll you'd find VERY FEW 54 shooters use the same charge in their 54 as they do in their 50. THAT'S the PRACTICAL APPLICATION of those simple physics...that whole mass/ velocity thingy....

 

[ChrisHarris]

Could not have said it better myself Longrifle 346.

Hokca Louis ---- FAIL

 

[Vermonter]

Let's keep it on the High Road. Thanks.