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50 or 54 for round ball shooter?

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My Grey Hawk was purchased as a .50, and didn't shoot PRB worth a hoot. It shoots unmentionables like a laser...I managed to find a .54 barrel for it and it does well with 80gr fffg under a PRB.

For lighter recoil, go with the smaller bore/lighter ball.
 
ive got the green mountain .54 15/16 32 inch 1-66 twist on my hawken and I love it!!!!, down own a specific rb barrel in .50 yet but do in .45 .54 and .58
 
He already has a. 54 hammer sooooo.. why all the 54 suggestions? Also has a 50 conical shooter that's a do-all.

Like he said, Colorado has changed the caliber requirements so that a moose or elk gun must shoot at least 210 grain projectile so if you prefer a ball it's pretty much a 54 proposition. That makes the 50 ok for elk and moose with a conical.

For deer and under it requires a minimum projectile of 170 grains so 50 ball is ok but from there on down in caliber it's conicals for deer and antelope and bear.

That seems like it makes the 50 a good choice for deer and smaller game as well as target shooting. I agree a 45 would be nice for targets.
 
.54. Every day of the way and twice on Sunday. I’ve got an Hawken just like yours only bored to .54 by Bobby Hoyt. Round bottom rifling and it shoots like a house afire with charges from 70 to 100 grains of fffg and ffg. 70gr. Swiss 3f is one of my favorite, lighter recoiling target loads.
 
.54. Every day of the way and twice on Sunday. I’ve got an Hawken just like yours only bored to .54 by Bobby Hoyt. Round bottom rifling and it shoots like a house afire with charges from 70 to 100 grains of fffg and ffg. 70gr. Swiss 3f is one of my favorite, lighter recoiling target loads.
In my .54's I load 80 grains FF Swiss for target fun and 125 grains for hunting. The heavier charge shoots extremely flat out to 120 yards and take note of the penetration in green poplar logs.

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@Tom A Hawk , the forum needs a “like a lot” button! Nice rifles!


And, another reason to chose the .54 in a 15/16ths barrel is it makes a dandy light carrying rifle. My Hawken is just a joy in hand. Much like an unmentionable item manufactured first in 1894 in a smaller caliber, it just feels good to walk the mountains with it. Comes quickly to the shoulder and performs well as anyone can ask.
 
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@Tom A Hawk , the forum needs a “like a lot” button! Nice rifles!


And, another reason to chose the .54 in a 15/16ths barrel is it makes a dandy light carrying rifle. My Hawken is just a joy in hand. Much like an unmentionable item manufactured first in 1894 in a smaller caliber, it just feels good to walk the mountains with it. Comes quickly to the shoulder and performs well as anyone can ask.
Thanks. I'm also a fan of that unmentionable 1894 model.

( Post Script - back around 1973 I managed to acquire a pre-64 unmentionable 1894 model in mint condition at a household auction for $75.00. Its still in my safe. )
 
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I decided on the 50 and ordered it this morning. When push came to shove, I already have a 54 that shoots round ball well and totes easily in the woods (hauled it all over God's green earth this fall), but I wanted something that might work as a target rifle with less recoil, powder and lead and could still take a deer if the fancy struck me. So 50 it is. The original barrel on the Hawken shoots 50 maxi balls in tiny groups at 50 yards, so I will keep it as such in case I want to take it elk hunting one year.
 

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