« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: 50 OR 54 CAL FOR BLACK BEAR  (Read 1377 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline HARDCORE

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19
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
Logged

Offline PA-Joe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 980
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.
Logged

Offline flintlock

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1405
  • Gender: Male
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...

Logged

Offline Buckskins & Black Powder

  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1700
  • Gender: Male
    • Buckskins & Black Powder
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?
Logged

Offline Snowshoe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 394
    • http://www.playfarmers.com
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.
Logged
Snowshoe

Offline Paleface

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 40
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.
Logged

Offline Swampman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (44)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 16518
  • Gender: Male
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.
Logged
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline HARDCORE

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19
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

                               
Logged

Offline wild country

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 70
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
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »