Texas Moon
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- Dec 13, 2004
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- 483
Has the .54 become unpopular?
Is it me or Has the .54cal fallen from favor?
- Thread starter Texas Moon
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Patocazador
Member
Not with me, it hasn't. I got one a few weeks ago and it is a tack driver. It very accurate with 400 gr. maxiballs.
I will bring it deer hunting in 2 weeks.
I will bring it deer hunting in 2 weeks.
Erwan
Member
Not unpopular for me too, I'm using all time a 54 Sharps pedersoli paper cartridges. This week I'm going to buy another .50 caliber muzzleloader...
.50 or .54 are pretty good ...
This is what I think and I'm entirely in accord with me...
.50 or .54 are pretty good ...
This is what I think and I'm entirely in accord with me...
Stony
Member
Not a thing wrong with a .54....lots of them still in use and being acquired. The 45 and 50 are still the most popular for rifles, just because so many guys target shoot with them....but the 54 is very versatile as a target or hunting firearm.
Steel Horse Rider
Member
Why would it matter? There are enough of them out there that the balls will always be available, and if for some reason they disappeared you can easily cast your own. I love mine, but I also love my .45 pistols, my .50 rifles and pistols, my .58 caliber rifle, and my .750 caliber Bess. Buy what you need or want for yourself, not what others think they or you should have.
zimmerstutzen
Member
When I first started, 45's were most common and 50's were the new preference. Then 50 was most common with 54 being preferred. Around PA, Many having custom long rifles built are going with 58 caliber and a few going to 62 cal rifles.
In my mind, 54 is the largest bore for hunting without needing to go up to a heavier barrel weight and still keeping the weight of the gun reasonable.
In my mind, 54 is the largest bore for hunting without needing to go up to a heavier barrel weight and still keeping the weight of the gun reasonable.
D. Buck Stopshere
Member
Its primarily the factory-made inline rifles that have dropped the .54 caliber.
The traditional rifle lines like Lyman's Great Plains Rifle, still sell the .54 caliber in good numbers. However, the .50 caliber is still "King". It probably accounts for 90% of the traditional large game hunting/target rifle market
I recently bought a pair of nice hand-made .54 caliber Hawken rifles, one from Art Ressel’s Hawken Shop, made back in the '80's. Its "companion" .54 caliber rifle was made by the late Ted Fellows, "The Beaver Lodge", from Washington State. Gorgeous workmanship on both. Also have letters between the makers and the original owner.
Looking forward to getting the 12 lb "Hawken Shop" .54 caliber out to the range. We'll see what it does with a .535 RB, .015" patch, and 120 grains of Schuetzen FFG black powder at 100 yards.
Can't wait.
The traditional rifle lines like Lyman's Great Plains Rifle, still sell the .54 caliber in good numbers. However, the .50 caliber is still "King". It probably accounts for 90% of the traditional large game hunting/target rifle market
I recently bought a pair of nice hand-made .54 caliber Hawken rifles, one from Art Ressel’s Hawken Shop, made back in the '80's. Its "companion" .54 caliber rifle was made by the late Ted Fellows, "The Beaver Lodge", from Washington State. Gorgeous workmanship on both. Also have letters between the makers and the original owner.
Looking forward to getting the 12 lb "Hawken Shop" .54 caliber out to the range. We'll see what it does with a .535 RB, .015" patch, and 120 grains of Schuetzen FFG black powder at 100 yards.
Can't wait.
Panzerschwein
member
I just bought a .54 caliber:
Harpers Ferry percussion conversion, .54 caliber smoothbore.
Harpers Ferry percussion conversion, .54 caliber smoothbore.
midland man
Member
I am considering the lyman deerstalker in 54c so what you guys thing about the 54c deerstalker??
frontiergander
Member
for inlines, the 50 wins hands down as far as market sales go. Even the .45 has fallen off the block.
When it comes to traditional shooters, the 54cal is always a hot seller. I built myself a .58cal as I wanted to go big for giggles.
When it comes to traditional shooters, the 54cal is always a hot seller. I built myself a .58cal as I wanted to go big for giggles.
swathdiver
Member
Only with them fake muzzleloaders.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
Well, my wife's flintlocks are 50 caliber as is her percussion rifle as well.
I shoot 54's though. Wouldn't be right to have smaller balls than the wife...
I shoot 54's though. Wouldn't be right to have smaller balls than the wife...
Texas Moon
Member
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- Dec 13, 2004
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- 483
Was wondering because the big on-line stores no longer carry much in the way of .54.
Have you tried to find .54 T/C maxi-balls lately?
Thank god I have a mould!
Have a couple myself. A T/C and Sharps.
Have you tried to find .54 T/C maxi-balls lately?
Thank god I have a mould!
Have a couple myself. A T/C and Sharps.
AJumbo
Member
My informal poll of elk and deer found that they all view the .54 with considerable disfavor.
jaguarxk120
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- Dec 30, 2011
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- 1,373
I think it's the makers PUSHING the 50's and letting the 54 fall by the way side.
Just as the shotgun makers have done to the 16 gauge by pushing the three inch 20gauge.
Also it cuts down on inventory for the stores, all they have is 50's and most if not all are inline guns.
Just as the shotgun makers have done to the 16 gauge by pushing the three inch 20gauge.
Also it cuts down on inventory for the stores, all they have is 50's and most if not all are inline guns.
zb338
Member
I shot quite a few deer with my .54 Thompson Center Hawkins.
Used Maxi balls and It worked very well for me.
Zeke
Used Maxi balls and It worked very well for me.
Zeke
Panzerschwein
member
Aside from my horse pistol, I also plan to buy a Hawken's rifle in .54 caliber soon.
.54 ain't dead to this cowboy.
.54 ain't dead to this cowboy.
Loyalist Dave
Member
I have three .54 rifles. I hunt with two of them; and I got rid of my .50 to go "up" to .54.
A .54 patched round ball drops deer, at least for me it does.
A Lyman in .54 is a very good choice in a factory rifle. So is the Cabela's Blue Ridge Hunter [Pedersoli Frontier] in .54 (on sale right now) .
LD
A .54 patched round ball drops deer, at least for me it does.
A Lyman in .54 is a very good choice in a factory rifle. So is the Cabela's Blue Ridge Hunter [Pedersoli Frontier] in .54 (on sale right now) .
LD
Idaho shooter
Member
.54 patched ball
I sold my .50, and got a 54, couldn't be happier. Just shoot patched round balls, don't have to fool around with different loads. Am. Impressed with the quality of Pedersoli firearms.
I sold my .50, and got a 54, couldn't be happier. Just shoot patched round balls, don't have to fool around with different loads. Am. Impressed with the quality of Pedersoli firearms.
Panzerschwein
member
What type Pedersoli .54 do you have? I've been eyeing the Rocky Mountain Hawken in maple for a long time now!
Idaho shooter
Member
Rocky mountain Hawkins, maple
This percussion rifle is incredibly accurate, with a really great trigger pull. The chrome alloy barrel is easy to clean with hot water and soap. The fit and finish on this rifle are outstanding. It was pricey, but as s till less than half of what the custom ones cost, at least the ones I was looking at. For everyday shooting, I use 60grains of Swiss 2f, and. A patched round ball Great!!
This percussion rifle is incredibly accurate, with a really great trigger pull. The chrome alloy barrel is easy to clean with hot water and soap. The fit and finish on this rifle are outstanding. It was pricey, but as s till less than half of what the custom ones cost, at least the ones I was looking at. For everyday shooting, I use 60grains of Swiss 2f, and. A patched round ball Great!!
Panzerschwein
member
Awesome! I handles one of these at Cabelas earlier this year, and it was just gorgeous.
I might have to get one VERY soon!!!
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