ML for pig which caliber?

[Freezer]

   I'm new to muzzle loading and really don't wnat to get into casting bullets.  So why am I getting into it?  I want to expand my hunting opertunities.  There are areas I can hunt that are restricted to ML, Slug or archery.  I'll hunt blacktail deer and wild pig.  I have a chance at a .58 cal but find the bullet selection limited.  .45 cal seems hard to come by for a handi.  I'm ealy not into recoil but.... Should I take the .58 or hold out for a .50.

[wreckhog]

Find out the twist rate and determine what type of projectile you want to shoot. I am surprised that you can't find patched round balls for .58.

[PHATINJUN]

Recoil is not really an issue for ML as it is all dependent on "your loads"
you can go mild to wild and for the most part your hunting load gets shot very little .None of my ML's have recoil pads. If you got access to the internet you will find your bullets for any of the choices out there.In the area I live there are very few selections locally for any ML'ing stuff. Depending on the condition of the .58 your looking at cost should be from $50-$150 or as high as how bad you want it.All the H&R's are tough to find right now as they are making none of them .There are some .50 Huntsmans & Sidekicks around complete new guns can go for as high as $250 and some folks are still finding new old stock in smaller shops. All the old guns shoot full bore conicals and patched round balls very well and the .50's shoot full bore conicals and sabot's well. They will all kill pigs. 45's are 1-56"twist .58's are 1-66" and the 50's are 1-28". Kurt

[Freezer]

   I'm a rifleman and I always go for well placed shots.  That said round balls are out of the question, I'd prefer sabots but conicals if that's whats shoots better out passed 100 yrds.  My Handi is turning into the one gun that does everything from varment to pig.  I prefer the synthetic stock, I touched up the trigger and have 25-06, 270, 243, 223, 12 ga slug, 20 ga smooth and 45/410.  I'm considering one big bore maybe 500 S&W or 45-70 and a 12 ga with screw in ckokes then this gun is complete.
   Is there an advantage of .58 over .50?  Cabalas and Midway list a larger bullet selection for the .50.

[PHATINJUN]

Personally if I was looking for 100yrd accuracy I would not consider any of the H&R's except the .50 for that work. But that just might be me. I shoot heavy full bore slugs out of mine and consider 75yrd the outer limit for my .58 but thats what I practice for and load for with open sights. Pretty much the same for the open sights on my .45 but with some more load development with the Blackhorn powder I may try some 100yrd practice. The .50 has a 4x scope on it and I have shot it out to 100 but to me ML is sort of like bowhunting and I try and get absolutly as close as I can. I have no problem with how others use thier ML's as long as they are proficient at it but I do not consider it as a long range tool and for the areas I hunt 100yrds is long range. There are a lot of ML bullet suppliers out there on the internet. I would consider both Midway and cabela's as limiting yourself and basically putting a middle man into the mix. But for the most part if your looking for a 100yrd ML then your best bet will probly be the .50 with a sabot. Kurt