Why .50cal?

[bankwalker]

I'm curious why there's so much love for the .50 and not the .45?
I understand trajectory of the .54 hurts it's ability a little. But if trajectory is the argument to pick the .50 over a .54......why not the .45 over the .50?

[Firedogg]

From my short time, several months, of muzzle loading experience I think it has to do with versatility.. You can shoot full .50 cal bullets or use the smaller .45 with sabots.

[ghosthunter]

For me it is the ease of finding ,bullet, and other shooting needs. Just a better selection out there fo 50 cal. Any store that sells black powder supplies has 50 cal stuff.
My son has a 54 cal. Not so easy finding what you need. We will be getting another 50 cal this year.

In camp and most camps you will find a lot of 50 cals. So when things go bad and you need a part or some bullets someone around will have what you need.

54 cal forget it.

[MountainDevil54]

laws. My state does not allow you to shoot a 45cal for elk. Plus with open sights, theres no huge gain.

I shoot a 58cal with patched round ball anyway.

[Soady]

All calibers will do their job if you do yours. As stated versatility of bullet range, commonality of product and availability in most regions. As stated mail order seems to be the common theme for the .45 and .54 where as most places carry the .50 cal supplies and rounds much like the 30/30 and 30/06 in any sporting stores across the nation and beyond. Unless one can find a supply store locally the .50 is going to be the most popular all around caliber.

[bankwalker]

All good enough answers for me to pick up a .50 cal. Thanks guys.

[Dan-o]

I can't seem to find the data, but back when round balls were the thing I remember how little energy there was in a 45 cal round ball compared ot a 50 cal.......    I mean it is a big difference and IMO a 45 round ball has marginal energy for deer.    I know someone will disagree........   Thankfully, this is America, so we are free to disagree.

I don't think it makes nearly as much difference now that we can hunt with conicals and soboted rounds.    I have both 50 and 54, and hunt with the same bullet out of each - just different sabots.