50 calibre ball limits

[Grizzlypeg]

What would be the limits of game size and range to be taken with a 50 calibre ball and patch from a side lock muzzleloader, a typical Hawken? If Whitetail can be done, what would the range be?

 

[Huntsman]

I'm comfortable to 75yds for whitetail. The bigger they are the closer I'll get.
The round ball loses energy/velocity far too quickly. If you want to take a longer shot then go with a good conical(there are many out there) bullet.
But then, type of projectile will depend on your rifle twist. 1:28 is common in most/all in-lines, 1:48 is ideal for conical & rnd ball. There are of course other rates of twist but these two are common.The .50 will drop all big game as long as you respect it's limitations.

 

[ben hunchak]

i would use the same criteria that bowhunters used to use....if you can keep all your shots on a paper pie plate you're o.k......my Lyman Plains rifle could not do that at 100yds with a patched ball, with a conical it could.

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Do the conicals actually open up on impact? Or just penetrate better due to their mass? I was actually surprised that a ball would actually work on a Whitetail.

 

[hakx]

Do the conicals actually open up on impact? Or just penetrate better due to their mass? I was actually surprised that a ball would actually work on a Whitetail.

Lead balls mash and flatten out. They are actually quite devastating. Unfortunately, they are the "ballistic turds" of the projectile world - hence the limited range as compared to the more B.C. friendly conicals.

 

[Kilo Charlie]

I use a .54 cal ball-shooter and limit my shots to 125 yards, though I've never shot that far at game. Mind you, I get top velocity in a 42" barrel using 120 grains of FFG. And the rifle shoots groups under 3" at 100 yards with that charge.
I would knock off 25 yards or so and call the .50 cal good to about 100 yards.