Encore 45 caliber vs. 50 caliber

[HHI #4694]

Guys,

I purchased the 45 Encore that is on the way to my FFL now, before I knew about the barrel twist problems. All I know is that they seem to be a hot item and are flying off the dealers shelves. They are also selling at a premium over the 50 caliber barrels almost everywhere you look.

My question is this: Why are these 45s such a hot item? Assuming T/C does correct the twist problem, what makes the 45 caliber preferable to the 50 caliber? What can the 45 do that the 50 can't do? Forgive me, but I am not a big black powder guy, at least not yet. :wink:

Best,
Tom

[savageT]

Guys,

I purchased the 45 Encore that is on the way to my FFL now, before I knew about the barrel twist problems. All I know is that they seem to be a hot item and are flying off the dealers shelves. They are also selling at a premium over the 50 caliber barrels almost everywhere you look.

My question is this: Why are these 45s such a hot item? Assuming T/C does correct the twist problem, what makes the 45 caliber preferable to the 50 caliber? What can the 45 do that the 50 can't do? Forgive me, but I am not a big black powder guy, at least not yet. :wink:

Best,
Tom

The Laws Of Physics being what they are:  The smaller the caliber, the less mass= greater speed, flatter tragectory= greater range/ better accuracy.   IF...you can pump enough energy behind that smaller projectile.  The trade off is with lesser mass, the energy falls off faster.

The Claims are you can get 150-200 yds. kills with the 45cal?
I guess that depends on whether or not you can get decent , reproducable results with maximum loads of 100 plus grains of Triple 7 powder or 4-30 grain pellets of Pyrodex.  Can you safely use that much powder charge in your Encore .45?

[Pluto]

It has been stated that you can shoot a 45 cal flatter then a 50 cal. This is true. 45 cal bullets weigh less them 50 cals, again this is true. But bullet weight plays an important part as applied to energy upon inpact. ie Killing power.
In the past 2 years I have had to track 2 deer shot by hunting buddy's shot with 45 cal rifles at some what long range (over 140 yds). Shot placement on both deer was good (not perfect).
It is my some what novice opinion that if the 45 cal bullets had more energy they would have killed the deer and not required tracking and follow up shots.
I on the other hand this year harvasted a deer at approx. 170 paces cleanly. The caliber and bullet used was a 50 cal 300 gr. harvester soft nose pushed by 120 grains of Pyrodex select.
Additionally I shoot much better groups with poured / measured powder then I do with pellets.

My disclaimer: as with all rifles one must experament with load powder combo's in order to achive the best preformance.

Flat shooting does not always equate into killing power. I hope this does not confuse the situation any more or insult anyone, its just my opinion.
 
One more thing, most deer are killed within 100 yds.

[Bob_K]

Not much difference if the .50 caliber is shooting a .45 bullet in a sabot!  I doubt the deer would notice, much less comment.  It is advertizing hype.

[shomagman]

Here is my idea of a perfect muzzle loader or "front end loader" as an old friend of mine calls them.  Take any MLer,  add the max powder charge that this particular gun can handle,  take various bullets and weights, a box of primers, a good target and a steady rest and shoot till your retinas are bleeding.  I use 3- 50 grain pyrodex pellets in TC 50 cal. with 245 gr aerotip powerbelt and can literally knock a bulls eye out if I do my part at a considerable long range.  I have killed a few deer with this setup including a weird looking 8 point with about 6-8 sticker points and all of them were knocked off their hooves.  Every MLer I have shot has had this recipe thrown at it and they have all given in to the bullseye sooner or later.

[RandyWakeman]

Guys,

What can the 45 do that the 50 can't do? Forgive me, but I am not a big black powder guy, at least not yet. :wink:

Best,
Tom

Tom,

I have an Encore with both .50 and .45 barrels. I prefer the .50, as it is more accurate . . . and the barrel weighs less (bigger hole).

There is nothing a .45 can do that the .50 cannot, and the converse is not true. Cecil Epp's 220 gr. and 240 grain Dead Center Sabots are tack drivers in .50 caliber. They are actually .40 cal bullets, and 220 gr. is as light as I'd care to go with soft lead.

[johnt]

You guy's are silly,,,,,,,
  Get  a .54 slow twist and PRB. Practice sum, then punch paper all day and have the knock down power ya need for game all day,an there won't be any argument,simple.
  .45 or .50 .  Tell ya .54, no more worries. Easy,
 
just me,johnt  

[River runner]

Have to agree with johnt, I have all the above calibers in smoke poles, but when it comes to punching dinner fare, I'll use my .54 with the real stuff, and the rb, I know I can put er in the boiler room right where I want it out to an honest 100 yards, and that's plenty for the old bp rifles. RR

[daddywpb]

I think advertising agencies have taken the public by storm. I've seen the CVA ads showing those tight groups at 200 yards. After a lot of years on rifle ranges, I know very few people that can get those kinds of groups at 200 yards, muzzle loader or not, especially under hunting conditions. I've seen people do it, hunkered down on a concrete bench with the rifle sunk into sandbags, but how about leaning against a tree with your heart pounding out of your chest? We all have to do an honest assesment of our abilities before we pull the trigger on any game animal, regardless of how easy it may look on TV.