Author Topic: Update on Buffalo Hunt with .54 Hawken (Read 2137 times)

Lost Okie · « **on:** October 21, 2006, 02:29:36 PM »

Just an update. Back in July I was seeking your advice on using a 54 cal Round ball or Mini Ball for a Buffalo hunt. Most agreed that a round ball would work for a Buffalo. Well, I took your advice and ya'll were right.
This was a meat hunt on a 600 acre game ranch.
The cow that I took was a little over 105 yrds away when we first spotted her. I moved up to a large pine at approx 80 yrds, set up my shooting sticks and made the shot. Due to the smoke, I could not see if I hit her. According to my hunting partner who was 20 yrds behind me, the ball struck right at midpoint of the shoulder, catching the back edge of the shoulder blade It hit both lungs and the back shoulder but did not come out. We saw blood but I got the chance for a second shot and took it. I hit approx 6 inches further back than the first, a double lung pass thru. Cow went down, other cows and bull moved in and we left the area to give them time to settle down.
Have to admit, I was impressed with the power of the round ball at 80 yrds. I have taken several whitetail with this gun but nothing as big as the buffalo. Now doubt that the first round ball would have put her down. Meat is at the butcher but we boned out part of the hump and man is it good.

RemingtonMagnum · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2006, 04:33:29 PM »

Congrats on the fun. Did you get some pictures???

Don Jackson Remington Magnum/Ultramag

crow_feather · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2006, 04:48:48 PM »

Good shootin - of course it would work, worked for over 50 years back when it had to work. Enjoy the meat as you enjoyed the hunt

C F

Ramrod · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2006, 05:10:09 PM »

Quote from: Lost Okie on October 21, 2006, 02:29:36 PM

Just an update. Back in July I was seeking your advice on using a 54 cal Round ball or Mini Ball for a Buffalo hunt. Most agreed that a round ball would work for a Buffalo. Well, I took your advice and ya'll were right.
This was a meat hunt on a 600 acre game ranch.
The cow that I took was a little over 105 yrds away when we first spotted her. I moved up to a large pine at approx 80 yrds, set up my shooting sticks and made the shot. Due to the smoke, I could not see if I hit her. According to my hunting partner who was 20 yrds behind me, the ball struck right at midpoint of the shoulder, catching the back edge of the shoulder blade It hit both lungs and the back shoulder but did not come out. We saw blood but I got the chance for a second shot and took it. I hit approx 6 inches further back than the first, a double lung pass thru. Cow went down, other cows and bull moved in and we left the area to give them time to settle down.
Have to admit, I was impressed with the power of the round ball at 80 yrds. I have taken several whitetail with this gun but nothing as big as the buffalo. Now doubt that the first round ball would have put her down. Meat is at the butcher but we boned out part of the hump and man is it good.

I won't comment on the "hunt", but what is a butcher, and why does he have your meat?

crow_feather · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2006, 07:06:36 PM »

A butcher is a person that makes sure that we, who do not have the gift of cutting meat so that it is tender and edible, will have the best possible eating pleasure from our labors. We have to pay this person for his labors, but then a lot of things are more specialized these days. They even have machines that take you to the huntin grounds while yer sittin down!

C F

KW · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2006, 07:40:38 PM »

Hey Lost Okie congratulations on that Bison! Got any pics? Never fails to impress me to see what a round ball can really do. Was curious if you knew how much meat you would be getting from it? Once again good shooting.

Lost Okie · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2006, 10:26:28 AM »

Hey crow_feather, Wish it weren't so, but sometime in life you realize that the arthritis in your hands keeps you from processing your own. Have always processed my own deer including breakfast and summer sausage but 700lbs on the hoof is more than I can do these days.
Hopefully this works for the picture. My hunting partner has the pic of me making the shot but I have not got it yet.

crow_feather · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2006, 04:14:34 PM »

I cut my fingers better than I can cut meat. Was it a rainy day or was your pardner crying cause he didn't get a shot?

C F

jh45gun · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2006, 07:28:01 AM »

Congrats on the hunt. I would love to be able to shoot a Buffalo but doubt if I ever will. 54 caliber the forgotten one these days. I love the 54 I have a 54 caplock left handed fullstock I built with a Green Mountain Barrel with a twist for ball shooting 1 in 70. Also have my underhammer in 54 cal again Green Mountain Barrel with a fast twist 1 in 28. I really like the 54 but these days when looking for accessories most only carry for the 45 and 50 calibers. That is no big deal as I cast my own anyway, but I think a lot of guys are missing the boat using this caliber it is better all the way around for ball shooting and great for conicals too.

crow_feather · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2006, 11:55:11 AM »

If you wanna have real fun, shoot a 58 or 62 caliber. I use 120 grains 2f behing a 570 ball in my 58 Mowrey. it does wake a person up.

C F

Lost Okie · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2006, 01:37:31 PM »

Yes Crow_feather, it rained the bigger part of the day. But, my hunting partner was impressed with the performace of the round ball. I have always wanted a 58 but after this, think I will stick with my 54.
Got to say one thing for the TC Hawken. With a little TLC such as weighing my round balls and culling over 1/2 from a box of 100 because they are more than 1.5 grains light, a steady rest, and that set trigger, I can usually get a 3 inch group at 100 yrds using Iron sights. I haven't tried it since I had to put the scope on it. I tried a peep sights but they don't do that good early in the morning or late in the evening out in the woods so I went to a scout scope, 2x. Would rather have stayed with iron but comes a time in life ya just got to give a little if you are going to make the shot.....

manofthe45 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2006, 05:38:00 PM »

except for a few I think most of us would believe that hitting cleanly with a scope is more important than looks especially where the animal is concerned. none of want to wound an animal and have it suffer. Wish I was in your shoes at least for that pic. congrats

jh45gun · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2006, 06:48:03 PM »

Quote from: manofthe45 on October 24, 2006, 05:38:00 PM

except for a few I think most of us would believe that hitting cleanly with a scope is more important than looks especially where the animal is concerned. none of want to wound an animal and have it suffer. Wish I was in your shoes at least for that pic. congrats

That is what I have been preaching here. Iron sights are great for the clubs and the get togethers but if you cannot see that well you owe it to the animal to use a sight that lets you shoot the best you can.

Slamfire · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2006, 05:53:45 PM »

Those plauged with presbyopia (in inability to quickly refocus) can still use irons effectively. On the TC, just turn that long sight around so the notch is closer to the front sight. Cuts down on the sight radius, but makes the rear sight sharper by reducin' the depth of focus required.
If your peep won't transmit enough light, screw out the aperature and just aim through the bigger hole, more light and hardly any difference in accuracy.

Ramrod · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2006, 12:05:59 AM »

Quote from: jh45gun on October 24, 2006, 06:48:03 PM

Quote from: manofthe45 on October 24, 2006, 05:38:00 PM
except for a few I think most of us would believe that hitting cleanly with a scope is more important than looks especially where the animal is concerned. none of want to wound an animal and have it suffer. Wish I was in your shoes at least for that pic. congrats

That is what I have been preaching here. Iron sights are great for the clubs and the get togethers but if you cannot see that well you owe it to the animal to use a sight that lets you shoot the best you can.

I don't get it. Oakie claims he can get 3 inch groups at 100 yards with iron sights, so what is gained by using the scope?
Count me as one of those who see no place for a scope on a traditional muzzleloader.

manofthe45 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 26, 2006, 03:21:31 AM »

hBlahBlahBlahBlahBlahBlahBlahBlahBlahBlahBlahBlahBlah You know its sad. I love to hear from all but like 5 or 6 people in this forum. Its just a shame how the same couple people have to use every question and post as a pulpit for their extreme traditional views. Just do what I do and read around their Bs and attacks on disabled peopled

. wait I did call you on that one didn't I.

Edited for content

Ramrod · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2006, 12:51:26 PM »

This is the Traditional Muzzleloader forum, isn't it? I believe there is another forum on Graybeard's site for those who can't handle a real muzzleloader.

manofthe45 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2006, 06:34:42 PM »

I apoligise for the fact you felt the need to edit my post. It was a quote and I thought I had cleaned it up enough to post it. That said I think I will leave this post alone for a day or two because I have had it up to my neck with the finatical bull that keeps coming up.

Lost Okie · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2006, 12:42:19 PM »

Manofthe45; Yes, I used to be able to get 3" groups with iron sights....Ramrod, let me ask you this, do You have a stigmatism, do You wear tri focals.....well, if ya don't then maybe you should try it. Define Traditional; means you cast your own round balls, don't use store bought pre-lubed patches, dress in a traditional manner and of course shoot only a flintlock.......then again, maybe your like the rest of us, you enjoy hunting with a sidelock (or underhammer) and patched roundball. Do You hunt during shotgun/rifel season with Your muzzleloader?

Slamfire, thanks for the idea on the peep sight. Unfortunately the sight I have does not allow me to do that, I adjust the elevation by moving aperature up down and then retighting. When I take it out, everything falls to the bottom. This is my first peep and am not sure how much I can drill the hole out. Have you ever done this ?

Ramrod · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:31:17 PM »

Truth is my uncorrected vision is 20-200 and I have astigmatism. I make my own sights when I can't find something that works. I'm also becoming very fond of my .62 smoothbore with nothing more than a front sight. It dosen't take much skill to get within 50 or 60 yards of most game, so the bead is good enough.

jlbeebe · « **Reply #20 on:** November 02, 2006, 04:35:17 AM »

Quote from: Lost Okie on October 28, 2006, 12:42:19 PM

Manofthe45; Yes, I used to be able to get 3" groups with iron sights....Ramrod, let me ask you this, do You have a stigmatism, do You wear tri focals.....well, if ya don't then maybe you should try it. Define Traditional; means you cast your own round balls, don't use store bought pre-lubed patches, dress in a traditional manner and of course shoot only a flintlock.......then again, maybe your like the rest of us, you enjoy hunting with a sidelock (or underhammer) and patched roundball. Do You hunt during shotgun/rifel season with Your muzzleloader?

Slamfire, thanks for the idea on the peep sight. Unfortunately the sight I have does not allow me to do that, I adjust the elevation by moving aperature up down and then retighting. When I take it out, everything falls to the bottom. This is my first peep and am not sure how much I can drill the hole out. Have you ever done this ?

Hey lost okie
Don't let closed or small minded people get to you. If you enjoyed your hunt and made a clean kill then congrats to you. I wouldn't mind doing that someday. I have heard that buffalo meat is quite good. Some people think if you don't hunt like they do or carry the same weapon they do, you are somewhat less of a hunter than they are. This type of eletist attitude makes us all look bad. I sometimes hunt with my .54 and sometimes with my inline and at this point in the season I am using a compound bow. The fact is I enjoy hunting with all of my weapons and I don't feel like any less of a hunter when I carry one or the other.

manofthe45 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 03, 2006, 02:25:43 AM »

Just because a state has liberal regulations regarding muzzleloading equipment does not prevent a fellow from carrying a flinter. Once you step into the woods you can become as high-tech or poineer-like as you please.

So the guy put a scope on his Ml big deal. Did he hit his target ? yes. did the bullet go into the vitals for a quick humane kill? yes. Did he enjoy his hunt and is he proud of his throphy? I would say yes, but probably lost a little of it having to defend himself from the bashing he has taken from some people here. So cut the crap and congratulate the guy or at least keep your finatical opions to a minamum.

How does this go? oh yeah. This is my opinion. if you disagree with it you a positivly wrong. You a cheater, etc., etc, and will probably burn in a lake of fire. If you even have one good thing to say about anything I beleive is wrong you can just get your butt over to that Space Gun catagory

jlbeebe · « **Reply #22 on:** November 03, 2006, 04:03:26 AM »

Well said.

Black Jaque Janaviac · « **Reply #23 on:** November 03, 2006, 05:04:09 AM »

The way I see it, you can pray while you smoke, but you shouldn't smoke while you pray.

So Lost Okie used a modern scope to kill a buffler. But just to add a little contest he decided to put the scope on a round-ball shootin' muzzle loader instead of the .325 WSM ordinarily carrying the same scope.

It doesn't matter where you are, it's where you're going that counts. If you're heading in the direction of becoming a better hunter that's a good thing.

Quote

but if you cannot see that well you owe it to the animal to use a sight that lets you shoot the best you can.

I disagree with this type of justification. You owe it to the animal not to shoot until you can get a good aim that's it, period. Scopes only make the task of aiming easier.

For example, Lost Okie shot the Buffler at 80 yards using a scope. Perhaps he couldn't have made the same shot under the same conditions with iron sights. So if L.O. had iron sights he owed it to the animal to hold off the shot.

Now, if L.O. had iron sights, maybe he could have belly-crawled another 30 yards so that he could make a good shot. Maybe he could have waited for another animal to present a better shot. Or maybe he couldn't wait. Or maybe, just maybe, he's pleased as punch getting within 80 yards and using a scope. Only L.O. can examine his own conscience and ask himself, "could I have done better?"

There's some guys who wouldn't use anything less than a .325 WSM, scope, heated, elevated stand, etc. There's a few guys who've taken buffler with a flintlock. L.O. stands somewhere between the two extremes. He's got nothing to be ashamed of, unless he knows deep down that he really could have done better.

jlbeebe · « **Reply #24 on:** November 03, 2006, 05:28:44 AM »

I see this as a matter of choice. He did it the way he wanted to and thats fine with me. If he had used a scoped centerfire that would be fine with me also. Lets not forget most of the hunting world uses centerfire rifles. They can't ALL be bad hunters. I wish I could use a centerfire here in Iowa during our regular gun season. Right now I am using a bow because its bow season. In a few weeks it will be shotgun season and I will be using my Knight rifle. I don't put down the other guys in my group for using repeating shotguns, it's thier choice and I respect that. After shotgun season comes antlerless season and my son and I can use our centerfires for does. When we shoot our does I will be just as happy as when I make my kill with a bow. I just like to hunt and I use the most effective weapon I can use in that respective season. That's my choice. Sometimes I even get the itch to get my old hawkins out. That is also my choice. My point here is he used the set up he wanted to and was happy with the outcome. I hope I get the chance to do that in the future.

jlbeebe · « **Reply #25 on:** November 03, 2006, 05:37:23 AM »

Quote from: Ramrod on October 26, 2006, 12:51:26 PM

This is the Traditional Muzzleloader forum, isn't it? I believe there is another forum on Graybeard's site for those who can't handle a real muzzleloader.

There is also a forum for bowhunters. REAL hunters who don't need firearms. If this statment is upsetting it should be. It is wrong just like you are wrong with the statement you have made.

manofthe45 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 03, 2006, 06:43:46 AM »

So well put I have to agree and nothing more.

KW · « **Reply #27 on:** November 03, 2006, 08:47:13 PM »

Hey LostOkie I agree with manofthe45 and jlbeebe. Don't let a few take the joy out of your hunt. Your scope on a ol' smoke pole is just fine, much rather see you stay that way then give more money to the modern inline business and still end up putting a scope on it. I was looking at a T/C sight and I think as long as you don't drill out past the outside diameter of the sight you should be ok. Another trick may be to "cone" the sight, with the small opening to your eye and paint the inside white. This will focus and gather the light a lot better than just the darken tunnel design. Worked well on an old peep sight I put on a friends 22. Once again thanks for posting pics and telling your story. Hopefully you'll still post hunting stories for us to read. I think we need more of those hunting stories on the forum. Good to talk about what's what's in smoke poles , but it's great to talk about how we all did with them. 700lbs!!!!! thats a lot of sausage

Ramrod · « **Reply #28 on:** November 04, 2006, 07:49:33 PM »

Deleted by Graybeard. It's NOT your job to define what is and isn't hunting to others. It was legal, he enjoyed it so it's not open for debate as to whether it was or wasn't a HUNT. Besides buffalo have never been that difficult to shoot even when there were millions of them. It was as much a hunt as it would have been back in the early 1800s. Stop the attacks.

jlbeebe · « **Reply #29 on:** November 05, 2006, 06:27:21 AM »

Deleted by Graybeard.