I like a .50 Smooth Barrel.....

[Adam Helmer]

Our October ML deer season is coming soon. My first muzzleloader was a used .50 caliber flinter T/C Hawken for $155 in the early 1980s in NH. Included was a spare .50 caliber smooth barrel because MA did not then allow rifled MLs for deer.

My .50 smoothbore barrel is a nice Mansfield-make with brass ramrod thimbles and very decent sights. Over the years, I have come to like it more and more. It will launch patched roundball propelled by 75 grains of 2F Goex to point of aim consistently at 100 yards. With the same powder charge and 2 Bore Button wads of .50 caliber, it will hold a killing pattern with #6 shot to 40yards. I have set up a possibiles bag with ball and shot dedicated to "Woods Loafing" in October for both deer and small game with the "Almost" 28 gauge .50 smoothbore.

At my age, I am no longer a meat hunter. I prefer to cruise the October woods and recall events from the book, "Drums Along the Mohawk" as I cradle my .50 caliber flinter with my 'hawk in my belt.

Adam