Author Topic: .45 versus .50 (Read 537 times)

Myerslake2005 · « **on:** December 14, 2005, 08:29:18 AM »

I'm looking for a new ML to use in Michigan farm country where they shots can exceed the range of my .54 cal. Would like to reach out to about 200 yards. I've seen the hype about the .45 cal being the best caliber for long range ML shooting do to trajectory and down range energy. I've read in a few posts that they can be a little tempermental to shoot. Since I already own a .54 cal I don't need to worry about not being able to use the .45 cal in other Western states

What kind of trajectory could I expect from a .50 cal versus a .45 cal? I like shooting the Powebelt's because I don't need a hammer :-) to seat the bullet.

I will also take suggestions for a sabot/bullet that is as easy to seat as the Powerbelts.

Brent

sabotloader · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2005, 12:27:29 PM »

Myerslake2005

I have read your post with a lot of interest...

Quote

I like shooting the Powebelt's because I don't need a hammer to seat the bullet.

There are a lot of people using PowerBelts and they are working just fine for them - In this day there really is no reason to need to use a hammer to load and seat a bullet. There are enough different sabot/bullet combinations out there that do load easily - I, and a lot of us, find no reason to even use a short starter - thumb pressure to start the combination down the barrel and ram rod pressure from there.

45 vs 50 - that is a particularly easy question for me. The 50 offers so many advatages and varieties I would vote 50 easy - here in Idaho the 45 would not be legal anyway.

The variety of projectiles is immense if your state allows sabots. Barnes is coming out with a new bullet that has a really high BC and can be shot very succesfully across long distances. SST/Shockwaves offer a large variet of long shooting high BC bullets. I myself do not use these bullets because of expsense and probably will not experiment with them. (although I must admit I still use Noslers partitions for elk hunting. I am currently running some experiments on the new Speer Gold Dots... the 45 cal. 300 grain HP has a published BC of .233. Sighted in at 134 yard that gives me a drop of 9.5 in 200 and still well over a 1000 lbs of energy when it gets there....

Good luck in your search...

sabotmaker · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2005, 02:52:06 PM »

Have to agree with "sabotloader". Although I am partial to 45 caliber I have no logical reason to be. I just like 45's. 50 caliber just makes more sense. You can shoot any bullet out of a 50 that you can with a 45.

35, 40, 44 and 45 caliber bullets can be shot in a 50 with sabots. With the 45 you are restricted to 35 and 40 cal bullets.

That said, if a 45 strikes your fancy reason or logic should not cloud your judgement...........go for it!!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2005, 07:05:44 PM »

I have both a Encore in 45 and 50 cal. I prefer the 50 myself, but my 45 cal works just as good. I have not taken any game past 125 yards with either.