I am wondering about the suitability of a Lyman Great Plains Pistol for close range deer hunting. Would this pistol in .54 caliber with a 50 grain load of FFFg Goex and a patched round ball make over 500 foot pounds of muzzle energy? To be deer hunting legal in IL it has to make at least 500ft/lb/me. Have any of you taken deer with this pistol? How did it do?
We're talking about a 150 lb doe. Maybe 25 yards. IL only allows muzzle loading handguns during the "Late Season Antlerless Only Season".
If it's a good idea, I have until the middle of January to get a pistol and get sighted in.
I have a Traditions Kentucky pistol in .50 caliber but the manual says 45 grains max load and that falls short of the legal muzzle energy. I am having no luck finding much information on pistol ballistics. Could I safely hit the magic # with a conical?
Thanks for any input.
Jethro
We're talking about a 150 lb doe. Maybe 25 yards. IL only allows muzzle loading handguns during the "Late Season Antlerless Only Season".
If it's a good idea, I have until the middle of January to get a pistol and get sighted in.
I have a Traditions Kentucky pistol in .50 caliber but the manual says 45 grains max load and that falls short of the legal muzzle energy. I am having no luck finding much information on pistol ballistics. Could I safely hit the magic # with a conical?
Thanks for any input.
Jethro