Pros and cons of 54 cal vs 50 cal.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Im just curious as to what the big differences are.  I have a 50 cal but am wondering if anyone with experience can tell me why a 54 would be better?  Im wanting to pick up a new muzzy and not sure what caliber to get.  thanks in advance.  Also what brand I have an older TC black diamond

[MountainDevil54]

Traditional, I always try to go with a .54cal + for round ball, but the 50 is even ok, I just like that bigger bore belching smoke 

Inline without a doubt would be 50cal.

[The Gobble-stopper]

I shoot 50 and everything drops in its tracks. My friend shoots 54, but means nothing. He wont sight in his rifle... He also has trouble finding the variety of bullets like are available for 50. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. Its all in how you shoot. Like Jack O'Conner, he killed everything in  America with a 270 and many of the African animals. ITs all in shot placement. And not that you need a howlitzer! 

[carpsniperg2]

50 cal will have a more broad choice of ammo available for it.

[zike]

Before inlines and sabots, I shot a cow with a 50. Three more guys put lead in her before she expired, of course 3 of us hit her high in the back. I was suprised none broke her back. I went to a 54 and shot 2 elk, the one was hit in the spine. no problem he went down in a heap. I shoot a 50 in line now, but I don't hunt elk.

[PyroBlack]

Elk die quickly using a 45-cal too.  Right bullet - right amount of powder - right placement.

[Smoke]

I shot a .45 and love it... round ball for deer, maxi for elk.. (never got into those sabots that look like modern rifle bullets).. kills everything it hits.. If I was to get a new one would be a .50 only cause ya can't find .45's anymore... only way I'd buy a .54 would be if I drew a moose or grizz tag... think I might want the bigger knock down for that....

[PyroBlack]

I miss the performance-level of my former 58-cal Renegade. But I slowly formed a hatred of sidehammers and now I'm 100% into inline ignitions and removable breechplugs these days.  If someone were to produce a 58-cal inline today,. I'd be one of their first customers. A 1:60/70 twist would be perfect.

[T-Bone]

Due to the inline craze, the .50 cal is more popular and thus, more bullet choices. In many guns of the same model, the .54 cal is lighter due to the manufacturer using the same barrel stock for both.

I like my .54 cal, but as in so many things, its really personal choice.

Tom

[C-Money]

A wise old hunter told me to buy what your hunting party shoots. Hard to run out of balls that way.

[ghosthunter]

A wise old hunter told me to buy what your hunting party shoots. Hard to run out of balls that way.

My son runs a 54 I a 50. 12 guys in our group all run 50.
Way easier to find what you need for 50 cal in a store when you have to have it.

My so will be switching to 50 next season.