Help me pick which rifle to hunt deer this fall

[brewer12345]

It looks like I will end up with another ML deer tag this Fall. I mostly end up with an antlerless yearling (2 does, one "chick with a ****" in the last 3 years). My shots have been 50 to 70 yards. Could be longer, but I mostly try to get within 75 yards and prefer to be closer. I have taken two with a 54 RB and one with a 58 RB. The 58 was a bit much for the small yearling. Bigger deer are around, I just seem to end up with the yearlings.

I have to use a conical in 45 and any round ball 50 cal or up to be legal. I have a 45 I can try dialing in a maxi ball with, or I could do 50, 54 or 58 round ball. The 50 barrel shoots best with 70 grains, and I haven't tried to see if there is an accuracy node at higher charges. I could fool with the bigger conicals, but that seems like overkill. Any suggestions? Any reason to pick one over the others? All are sidelock percussion.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

I would use the .50, the ranges you're hunting at it will more than do the job with a patched round ball.

 

[brewer12345]

I would use the .50, the ranges you're hunting at it will more than do the job with a patched round ball.

70 grains of 3F enough? I might also run into a full sized doe. The mulie does can get up to 150 pounds there.

 

[dave951]

70 grains of 3F enough? I might also run into a full sized doe. The mulie does can get up to 150 pounds there.

50cal, round ball, 70g is plenty and is often the best accuracy load. Try it out.

54cal and 58 also work well. I'd try each to decide what works with best accuracy. The downside of the larger calibers is drop.

 

[brewer12345]

50cal, round ball, 70g is plenty and is often the best accuracy load. Try it out.

54cal and 58 also work well. I'd try each to decide what works with best accuracy. The downside of the larger calibers is drop.

I have known accurate loads for round ball in all three rifles, so that isnt a huge deal. Think I am limited to a broadside shot with the 50? A couple years ago all I got after a week of hunting was a Texas heart shot and the 54 went the length of the deer.

 

[noelf2]

I would use the 54 and be ready for whatever comes my way. If I always shot the first deer I saw, I would end up with mostly yearlings also. You may want to let them walk on by.

 

[brewer12345]

I would use the 54 and be ready for whatever comes my way. If I always shot the first deer I saw, I would end up with mostly yearlings also. You may want to let them walk on by.

I am ok with yearlings. There is cwd in the area and they are the least likely to be infected. This is also a short season made shorter by property access rules. Tops, I get 6 days to try to fill the tag.

 

[noelf2]

I am ok with yearlings. There is cwd in the area and they are the least likely to be infected. This is also a short season made shorter by property access rules. Tops, I get 6 days to try to fill the tag.

We get 6 tags in VA. I have my own property so I don't need any tags, but I'm limited to 6 deer anyways. I pretty much know what wanders through here.

 

[J-Bar]

Of your choices, all will work. Eeny, meenie, miney, mo. Pick one and develop a load for first shot accuracy. Use it and avoid second guessing. Good things happen when you make a commitment.

 

[brewer12345]

We get 6 tags in VA. I have my own property so I don't need any tags, but I'm limited to 6 deer anyways. I pretty much know what wanders through here.

Count yourself lucky. The place I would like to hunt I can get a tag about every 2 to 3 years. The ML tag I will get again this fall is ok since I generally have success, but it is harder to hunt and the limited time I can access the place means I generally shoot as soon as I see a legal animal. I also get to float the field dressed deer across a river to get it out.

 

[brewer12345]

Of your choices, all will work. Eeny, meenie, miney, mo. Pick one and develop a load for first shot accuracy. Use it and avoid second guessing. Good things happen when you make a commitment.

I guess so. I need to toss the peep on the 54 and shoot it. I have a known accurate round ball load for this rifle and if I am feeling it, that ay get the nod this year.

 

[The old gunsmith]

Just take your pick of the rifles you have available. All of them will be up to the task if you do your part.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I'd go with the 54.

 

[Armored farmer]

I'd go with the 54.

Me too.
And invest in a trailcam to see what's out there....or spend more time scouting.

 

[brewer12345]

Me too.
And invest in a trailcam to see what's out there....or spend more time scouting.

Public land with limited access. Been hunting it for years. Know it pretty well and where to go.

 

[woodnbow]

These guys are slipping! Obviously you need a new rifle!

 

[brewer12345]

These guys are slipping! Obviously you need a new rifle!

Hah!

Oddly, I think I have about what I want at this point. Good thing, because the first college tuition check for the first id is due this fall.

 

[woodnbow]

Hah!

Oddly, I think I have about what I want at this point. Good thing, because the first college tuition check for the first id is due this fall.

Ours paid back every penny (oh happy days!)

 

[Patocazador]

I would always pick the most accurate one regardless of caliber.

 

[brewer12345]

I would always pick the most accurate one regardless of caliber.

The limitation on my rifles is my eyes, not the rifle or load.

 

[woodnbow]

The limitation on my rifles is my eyes, not the rifle or load.

If ranges are moderate I would probably use a round ball in 50 or 54. Both work very well.

 

[brewer12345]

If ranges are moderate I would probably use a round ball in 50 or 54. Both work very well.

I've shot 3 deer in this spot, 54 and 58 round ball. Very effective even with less than ideal shot placement (one was a Texas heart shot at 60 yards). I wonder about the 50. I will likely end up using either a 54 Great Plains rifle or the 58 Zouave I used last year.

 

[desmobob]

I'd go with the simplicity of the good old, traditional, 50cal. patched round ball.