[jimkim]

Does anyone hunt with a .58 cal rifle?

[ArkansasHunter]

I don't...WHY ?

[Dickie d]

I do. CVA plains rifle. It balances real well and shoots real fine. My only complaint is its heavy and at 68 I don't want to walk too far carrying it, but its by far the best shooting muzzle loader I ever used and it was cheap 25 years ago. I need to get it to the gunsmith to get the triggers worked on ( has a set trigger). I think the difference is the deep groves in the barrel on this versus the shallow groves they use today.

[HAWKEYE50]

Happy Easter. Are you considering purchasing, or do you already have one? I am new to muzzeloading and now own a 209x50 ENCORE. What are the differences?

[OldTimer]

I haven't been able to get the time to get out with a smoke-pole in a couple of years but when I do I hunt with either my US M1841 ("Mississippi" Rifle): http://americanhistory.si.edu/milita...media/30_l.jpg

or my P 53 Enfield Rifle Musket: http://www.cfspress.com/sharpshooter...nsEnfield1.jpg

Both are repops (repro's) and .58 caliber, and they are both beasts weighing 9 lbs +/-. The Enfield is more accurate beyond 75 yards but the Mississippi balances better with its shorter barrel, hence I prefer it. (Haven't shot a deer much past 40 yards in years, anyway).

You shooting Yankees, JimKim?

[mym1a]

I don't see why one wouldn't hunt with this caliber/rifle?if your into muzzle loaders???if my memory is correct that was the service rifle during the civil war ????

[Dickie d]

Many states have a primitive weapon deer season. So that answers why we hunt with this kind of rifle. I have both a 50 and a 58. The 50 is lighter and shorter with a modern type barrel the 58 is by far more accurate. The velocity of a muzzle loader is similar to a shotgun so the weight of the slug is what "puts em down".

[jimkim]

Ive not hunted with a .58 but I have shot one. It was an old zouave made by zoli if I remember right. The reason I asked was I dont see a lot of rifles larger than .54 cal and wondered why. Ive thought the .58 to be better balistically myself. Im not saying your .54 or .50 isnt good I just liked the 58 better and was thinking of buying one.

[Dickie d]

All 3 will put a deer down. I think weight is probably the reason for the 50 & 54 being more popular. The 58 would probably give a bit of an edge on larger animals. A well place shot trumps all. I just prefer the deeper rifling I have on my 58, it seems to be more accurate. I use granular powder and a mini-ball with bore honey on it. When my eyes were better I could cut a blade of grass out to 75 yards with it.