Have both T/C 50 & T/C 54. Which would you choose for deer?

[Recruit]

Hi all...first post here.

I have a 54 cal T/C Hawken and a 50 cal T/C New Englander for deer hunting this year.

Wouldn't rule out non-round ball options but my preference would be round ball for simplicity and nostalgia sake. I'm also not fond of recoil :wink:

I primarily still hunt so carrying the lighter and slightly shorter New Englander all day certainly appeals more that toting the Hawken. Conversely, the 54 cal Hawken should theoretically put a deer down faster than the 50 cal New Englander assuming good shot placement for both and at the same velocity.

So, which would you choose and why? I don't think there is really a wrong answer here; just wanting to hear from those with more experience than I with round ball as my experience is well....none. I'm not a new shooter however.

As a side note, I have Goex FF powder plus .015 and .018 lubed patches on hand.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Either will kill 'em plenty ded.
Placement is the key.
I use a .45 with prb and 65 gr. real bp. They git jest as ded as when hit with a .54.
Placement is the key, I try for the heart as a lung only shot will let them run for a while.
Yer lucky to have a choice, pick one, use soft lead round ball, real bp and enjoy the hunt.

 

[necchi]

Rifleman said it;
Both will work fine.
Which one? The one you have worked with the most and shoot's the best group at your practiced range.
Get that?
The best rifle is one you have spent time shooting and found an accurate developed load for.
Kinda put's it back on you, doesn't it? :wink:

 

[cynthialee]

Rifleman said it;
Both will work fine.
Which one? The one you have worked with the most and shoot's the best group at your practiced range.
Get that?
The best rifle is one you have spent time shooting and found an accurate developed load for.
Kinda put's it back on you, doesn't it? :wink:

This!

I have both the .54 and .50 TC rifles. (Hawken and Renegade) and I use the .50 Hawken for hunting due to the fact I am most confident with that rifle.

Dead is dead. A .54 or a .50 or a .45 doesn't mater when you put a hole in the lungs and heart.

 

[mooman76]

As others have stated, both will do the job. I'd pick whichever you shoot the best or are more comfortable with.

 

[robinsroost]

As others have stated, both will do the job. I'd pick whichever you shoot the best or are more comfortable with.

What Mooman said :metoo: robin

 

[will5a1]

I'll offer a contrary opinion - use the New Englander, with the single trigger.

 

[azmntman]

sling one and take em both?

 

[kemart17]

hunt with the one you are most comfy with!!!!

 

[hanshi]

Most of my deer kills have been with a .45 flinter. A few even dropped DRT and none ran any distance to speak of. I have a new (to me) .50 flinter that I intend to use this year.

 

[Alden]

Hanshi's "hunting" favorites change from thread-to-thread it seems...

Practice with that .50.

 

[nkbj]

All things being equal bigger is better.

 

[Cowboy]

What ever you are most accurate with! Both will be more than enough to get the job done.

 

[irishtoo]

use the one you have the most confidence in. practice and practice some more, but practice the way you hunt, not just off a bench. that said, i try hard to find a rest when im hunting, anything to make the firearm steady and more accurate. good luck to you. irishtoo

 

[Renegade Dan]

I have both a 45 and 54 cal smokepole and Both are very accurate. My 54 is actually lighter than the 45, so if I plan on sitting in one spot when I'm hunting I will take the 45 cal. but If I plan on stalking or going a long distance, I will take the lighter 54. Both will kill the deer dead, as long as my aim is true. :wink:

 

[Recruit]

Thanks for the responses and comforting to hear that no one has mentioned the 50 cal PRB not being perfectly adequate.

Agreed that shot placement is key. Interesting I haven't shot either of these guns yet as they were just picked up recently. Will be getting to the range shortly to work up accurate loads for both. I suspect a favorite will emerge quickly.

 

[bigted]

that is key ... shoot shoot shoot. then go shooting some more.

that said I always go with the "goodcheer" attitude ... bigger is mostly better.

I have had awful good luck with a 80 grain charge [GOEX 2Fg powder] behind the 54 cal PRB. this is a powerhouse [not to say there is anytin wong wit da 50].

 

[Eric Krewson]

I like bigger bore guns, simply because the deer are less likely to run off after the shot.

I have killed a pile of deer with my .44, all ran 75 yards or more after the shot, leaving a sparse blood trail even with perfect placement.

I have killed a bunch of deer with my .54 as well, most were anchored on the spot.

 

[Alden]

So, a .50 will have them bound 100 feet or more?

 

[fleener]

as other has said, both will work and I doubt you could tell the difference.

I like .54's and have several.

I would pick the one that shoots the best groups.

Fleener