I think I am sold on a new knight disk extreme. Just need to decide 52 or 50 cal. and whther to go with the thumbhole stock or not.
Are bullets harder to find for the 52? Is your selection pretty limited?
What are the advantages/disadvantages of either one?
The 52 is really viewed by many as an odd caliber, but I would suggest to you that there might be some real advantages. With the 52 you shoot real rifle bullets (45-70) or even larger .475 if they might be needed.
Lehigh/Bloodlines offers 3 .458 bullets for them 220 gr. - 275 grain - 300 grain. Other companies offer 325 - 350 & 500.
The 52 comes with a 1-26 twist rate to handle the long heavy bullets or even conicals.
A possible down fall is that Knight owns the rights the the 52 caliber sabot and they can only be purchased from them. + they have the .475 sabot that is also a excellent sabot.
The 52 easily handles 150 grains of any black powder or BP sub including T7 and BH with a 300 grain sabotted bullet.
I have one actually 2 of them one is a Big Horn, they are my dedicated elk guns, although I have shot whitetail with them.
Thumbhole or not to thumbhole.... I never ever thought I would like a thumbhole for hunting - off the bench they are great but hunting!??? Well I made the switch to thumbhole and for myself I will stay there.. for my it makes shooting accurately much more comfortable.
With all that said the 50 cal remains the most versitile.