Minium caliber considerations?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I know that various states have minimums, which may or may not be based on any data or practical knowledge, and now that in-lines are the prefered method for "primative" seasons, the waters are muddied even more.....


......so, based on YOUR experiences, what do you consider to be the minimum caliber for the taking of white tailed deer (and similar sized game) with a traditional style rifle? Assume that we are talking BP (no substitutes) and patched round ball only (no conicals), and maximum range of 100-120 yards or so.

Thanks in advance for your opinions............

[Gil Martin]

For traditional muzzleloaders and deer sized game, I am more comfortable with a .50 or .54 caliber. I like both calibers and my last deer fell to a .50 flintlock Trade Rifle and patched roundball. All the best...
Gil

[wrenchman]

being that i have seen a few deer killed with the 50 and a patch round ball and i am not trying to knock any others it would be the 50.
Ilines and sabots are different most the round balls i have seen the ball did not pass threw.
I still use the patch round and 2f powder for my side lock and love it.

[jplonghunter]

I have hunted for more years than I wish to admit to with a 45 Cal. smokepole. Longest recorded shot was 127 yards and deer was tracked about 50 yards before dropping. All others inside of 100 yard mark and they wound up on dinner table.

jplonghunter

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

The PA Traditional Season (Flintlocks) require .44 caliber and up. The "patched roundball" requirement was dropped about 6 years ago. My first flintlock was a .45 Hawken and the small, 130 grain ball seemed a bit light for deer, IMHO. I do use the .45 with a 245 grain Maxi.

For patched roundball, I will carry a .50 or .54 flintlock Hawken afield a week from today.

Adam

[skeet]

My first caplocj(T-C Hawken) was a 45 and it killed deer in the woods just fine. I also used a patched roundball. Most were taken inside of 75 yds..but one was almost 125. I later got a 50 T-C and it was also just fine. Roundball in a poly patch worked even better than the patched RB..more accurate anyway. Still have that one. But I do use a Savage smokeless rifle now. Hate to clean those rifles every time ya shoot 'em. Traditionalists don't like inlines..but for most it isn't about traditional anymore(in most places it never was)..it's about hunting. But I still like the old Hawken..and the old original Pa made(1799) long rifle,. I'll never shoot it again. BTW the load I used(50 T-C) was 90 gr of 3Fg..when I went to trying pyrodex it was 95 by volume with 5 gr of 3Fg in first. It wasn't IMO as good a load as Blackpowder.

[quigleysharps4570]

The Kansas minimum is .39 caliber...my little .40 does a right fine job but I prefer the bigger calibers.