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Author Topic: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR  (Read 1378 times)

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Offline HARDCORE

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50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« on: September 08, 2007, 05:20:32 AM »
Hi guys,

          I'm thinking about getting a traditional smoke pole for hunting season this year. And being that i plan on just shooting a patch and round ball, I'm going to go with a new Lyman Great plains rifle.  This rifle will be mostly for whitetail deer but if i get a shot at a big black bear will a 50 cal do or should i get a 54 cal.
          Also what is the advantages of one over the other?

                     Thanks,  Hardcore
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Offline PA-Joe

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Re: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2007, 05:38:40 AM »
Before getting the GPR make certain that you can live with the crescent shaped stock. 50 will do the job but mine is a 54.
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Offline flintlock

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Re: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2007, 06:25:09 AM »
.54, I built one in the late '80s, have killed a few dozen deer with...Look at it this way, a .50 ain't going to do nothing a .54 can't do...

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Offline Buckskins & Black Powder

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Re: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2007, 08:31:14 AM »
After buying a .54  a couple months back, i wont ever look at a  .50 again. Go with the .54! They are all the same price, so why not get the biggest caliber you  can get and never be under gunned?
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Offline Snowshoe

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Re: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2007, 03:37:50 AM »
I have been using a .50 for the past 16 years, and just got a Lyman Trade rifle in .54. I say go with the .54 if you are using round balls. The .54 is great, and I will probably sell off the old .50.
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Offline Paleface

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Re: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2007, 12:48:11 PM »
Lyman makes 2 versions of this gun great plains and great plains hunter. The hunter has a 1-32 twist better suited for conical bullets and sabots. The regular version I believe is a 1-60 twist which would suit you better for prb. The advantage as I see it (in .54) is the bigger bullet. I shot a nice 4x5 last year with a .54 (traditions deerhunter 1-48 twist) with a 425 grain hornaday. If you are going for bear, I would be loaded for bear.  I personally have had good luck with 90 grains of ffg.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2007, 01:06:47 PM »
The .54 is probably the most efficient (and accurate IMO)round ball caliber.  Work up a load with 3F GOEX and go get your bear.
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Offline HARDCORE

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Re: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2007, 09:24:52 AM »
Thanks for the replies guys.  Looks like I'm going to go with the .54  .  I'll post a picture after i get it

                                    Thanks again,  Hardcore

                               
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Offline wild country

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Re: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2007, 11:44:54 PM »
I'm new to the whole black powder thing, but have close friends who seem to know what they're doing.  I got a Lyman great pains rifle, which shoots better then I expected.  I took a nice black bear with a 385gr HPHB great plains bullet this year.  The bear weight in at 368lbs, the round went clean through the shoulder, heart ribs and lodged on the hide on the hide.  I recovered the bullet and weighed it.  It lost about 120grs.  I was worried about my bullet choice but feel this round will do the job on most if placed on the money.  I'm not sure how to put a photo on this thing.  If you can tell me how I'll post the photo
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