slobbering over .40's

[olskool]

one of the reasons i love my state of SC and the county i live in we can do almost anything we want on private land. "the way it should be" we can hunt with any black powder caliber and any centerfire. we have freedom! i have been hunting all my life i am 63 and have never had a game warden come on any private land and ask me anything. that being said we have a personal and ethical responsibility to game animals. personally i think if you are a seasoned hunter with self control a 40 is fine for deer up to 150 lbs. or so. if you don't feel comfortable with a smaller caliber get a bigger one. it is all about shot placement and penetration no matter what caliber you use,,,,,,,,,,

 

[hanshi]

hanshi that is a good looking gun, what is it? who made it?

It was built by Matt Avance at TVM many years ago. I had it mounted in German silver just to be contrary. It also has an engraved thumbpiece with my initials. It's a late Lancaster style and the barrel is a "B" wgt X 38" GM barrel. It's a bit weighty at 8 lbs 1 oz but the heft and balance are superb. The swamped tube makes it a joy.

 

[F.G. Ford]

This is something I started fiddling with for a slow twist forty bore.


Made them with this adjustable length mold.

Hi,
Who is the maker of that interesting mold?

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

There are some that seem to think if you aren’t shooting a .58 caliber with 200 grains of powder, it won’t be enough for deer.

There is evidence in this thread (and others) that proves otherwise.

 

[Grumpa]

.40 is not legal for deer here in PA. But the man who got me into muzzleloading for the first flintlock season back in 1975 used a Forty for his deer hunting, just because he liked the rifle (he had built it himself, and you might take it for an original}, and it would do its part if he did his. Game wardens we encountered said: "We don't care about that stuff, we just want you to have a good time." Then they told us where to go to see more deer.

Richard/Grumpa

 

[BigAl52]

Here is my 40. Its a boring percussion Hawken Squirrel rifle built by John Bergmann. Shoots great and I like it

 

[olskool]

nothing boring about that gun big Al!

 

[Grenadier1758]

Nope, nothing boring about that rifle in my eyes too.

 

[BadDaditood]

Been years since I shot a 40
My club holds a flint only novelty shoot every July 4th.
I didn’t own a flint so the shoot sponsor loaned me a 40.
I did this on my way to winning all the cash:

To which he said “well you’ll Never borrow that gun again”

 

[olskool]

borrow it! i would have took it! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Peregrine]

Big Al, That is a beautiful rifle. Simplicity and quality are never boring.

 

[hanshi]

Here is my 40. Its a boring percussion Hawken Squirrel rifle built by John Bergmann. Shoots great and I like it

View attachment 55835

Boring? Sure. About like puppies are boring.

 

[Muley Graves]

Love my .40, killed bout everything I can kill in Oklahoma.

 

[Cherrybow]

Love my .40, killed bout everything I can kill in Oklahoma.

Interesting rifle Muley. From a distance it looks like a half stock, but I see wood running up the barrel when I zoom in. Would love to see more pictures of it and tell us what it is please.

 

[Scota@4570]

40 with a round ball, at 75 yards is about the same as a 32 S/W Long in the energy department. I encourage anyone who has not made up their mind to do their own investigation.

The last thing we need is wounded deer running around. It is cruel. IT can invite attention from the animal rights crowd. That is a very bad thing.

 

[hanshi]

Muley, that's a rifle after my own heart!

 

[Billy Boy]

My 40 is the most accurate of my six rifles. It never needs tinkering or tweaking, not at all particular about load. I shoot 55 gr. fff, .395 ball, pillow ticking ( .018), lubed w/ bees wax/grapeseed oil. In terms of performance, it is the most predictable and consistent stick I own. You really need at least one 40......