round ball?

[Ghost Hunter]

I am seriously considering a Lyman Great Plains slow twist in .54 caliber.  Any hard core shooters got a good reason to convince me this isn't a good choice for elk or deer   Only interested in traditional at this point. 

[CP]

Round balls are effective if you understand their limitations.  They lose energy quickly so you must limit your range accordingly.   IMO a .54 round ball is a 75 yard weapon.

[C-Money]

.54 cal Roundballs have worked well for me on muleys and whitetails in the past. I'd shoot an elk with one at a reasonable range. Hit'em where they live!

[MagKarl]

If you buy into all the commercials and magazine ads you'd think round balls would probably just bounce right off of a deer's ribcage.  Not true.  I have the same rifle, it's a great shooter.  I killed a fat WT doe last seaon and my ball passed right through.  My eyesight with open sights is the effective range limiter for me, not the rifle or projectile choice.  If you read any of the traditional muzzleloader forums the Lyman GPR is the most recommended production round ball rifle in terms of quality, price, and being historically correct.   

[Ghost Hunter]

Thanks to all.  Exactly the information and encouragement I was looking for.  75 yards works for me   Now all I have to do is find a lefthander.

[Sneaky]

My dad killed several deer and elk with .54 caliber round balls. They fly very well and hit hard.

[Smoke Pole]

I built a Great Plains 50 several years ago from a kit and experimented with several projectiles. Though it is designed for a round ball (1/60 twist) I found it shoots a saboted 45 cowboy bullets (265 gr) just fine. The slow twist will not stabilize a long bullet design, they begin to tumble at less than 100 yrds. The short stubby bullets seem to shoot just fine. I have taken two bears and several deer with my Great Plains and only one with a round ball. The round ball deer dropped like a rock so go figure. Welcome to the world of sidelocks.

[MagKarl]

Midsouth and DNR usually have the best online pricing.  Sportsmans Warehouse sometimes has good prices on guns and kits.  Cap or flint? Kit or built?
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/
http://www.dnrsports.com/

[Ghost Hunter]

Thanks for the links.  Looks like I will be using them.  Won an auction and now all there is to do is close the deal and wait by the mailbox   got all summer to practice, scout, and get back in shape

[Ghost Hunter]

My dad killed several deer and elk with .54 caliber round balls. They fly very well and hit hard.

I see what you mean.  I'm finally getting it dialed in   1 1/4" group of 3 at 50 yards, nailed the 1" bullseye at 100 yards off the sticks no bench rest