.45 vs .50 cal muzzle loader and MR-X vs LR-X

[tdovea10]

Looking at the CVA accura LR-X (30 inch barrel) and MR-X (26 inch barrel).

First off which one?

Second, 45 or 50 cal and why?

Thanks!

 

[MacEntyre]

I like 45 cal but 50 cal components are easier to find.

 

[Average Joe]

Like @MacEntyre said, .50 cal much more popular and easier to purchase components. Also have more of a bullet selection with the .50 cal over the .45 cal. Below is a link to an article by Chuck Hawkins, has some good info on the two.

Edit to answer barrel length. When I comes to barrel length, I’ve never had anything under 28” so I cannot give good guidence there. I would think that the barrel twist rate would be more important than the length between 26 and 30 inches.

Muzzleloading Caliber Hype: .45 versus .50

 

[cold1]

26 inch barrel. 4 inches isn't going to get that much increase in velocity and the 26 is easier to handle in the brush.

 

[Walkabout Dan]

Either will do .

 

[MacEntyre]

BTW, before you succumb to the hype, try round ball in yer muzzleloader... it performs very well!

The only deer I killed with a 45 cal flintlock was almost a miss... the deer heard the frizzen strike, crouched below the path of the bullet and turned, then jumped up into the path of the bullet as it arrived. Instead of a heart shot where I aimed, the ball ran up the spinal cord and smashed into the base of the skull. Of course, all that happened without me seeing it. I had to wait for the smoke to clear, and the deer was DRT, laying 90 degrees from where I last saw it.

 

[Dave951]

Either barrel length is fine. Whatever you prefer but check twist rates.

45 v 50? NO question 50cal. In the world of muzzleloading, smaller bores tend to be more finicky in regards to fouling. 50cal components are extremely common. Next- you do not need to have the latest, plastic patch sabot with a modern bullet to put bambi in the freezer. Patch round ball or conical of pure lead at a reasonable velocity will do it every time. Much more important is this- {can you shoot??} The best equipment money can buy won't make up for sorry marksmanship. There is no substitute for trigger time and marksmanship skill is perishable. You must maintain it.

The caveat on 45v50- I really like the Volunteer and the Whitworth, both in 45cal. Again, you won't be buying stuff off the shelf for these critters but they both can be stupid accurate with a paper patched cylindrical bullet and 80g 3f Swiss.

 

[Underclocked]

In those particular models, the .45 calibers are overbored and will be more finicky about projectiles than the .50s.

 

[MacEntyre]

Another note... don't over power your BP rifle. It's just not necessary. Folks who put three of those BP discs under their 50 cal maxi-ball often see at least one unburnt pellet go flyin' outa the barrel behind the boolit!