.58. Caliber

[Daryl]

Seems to me, 15 feet was where I set my screens, on a tri-pod. I do not recall having my screens blow over from the muzzle blast.
That did happen with the wind though, when using a bulky Chrony instead of just the sky-screens on the Oehler & PACT timers I used for years.
I shot loads to 330gr. in my .69 (loading error) and 200gr. in my .58, but never blew over the screens. I think perhaps it could happen, if the
ball went just over the screen openings, so the blast was low to the machine (Chrony).
MartyB - no trouble with residue on the "eyes" - ever.

[Bsharp]

About 12' and remove the sun shades, you don't need them.

[longcruise]

Thanks for your replies, I appreciate it. Let me ask a different question; what bullet speeds are you all getting with your .54’s and .58’s?

54 is plenty for elk.  Eighty grains or more.  58 not needed but a 58 will be lighter in hand and elk always seem to be uphill.  Neither will match the trajectory of the Casull no matter how hot loaded. 

[Dphariss]

Hello friends, first post here. I’m looking at building a Kit Carson Hawken replica with the original 31” barrel. I’ve been planning a .54 cal but as this will be an elk rifle I’m looking at maybe a .58 instead. I hunt a good bit with a .454 Casull pushing 300 grain bullets at about 1700 fps. Sighted in at 100 yards I’m holding about 3” over a marmots back at 150 yards. Beyond that the bullets are falling out of the sky and require about 24” hold over at 200. I’m thinking a 58 cal round ball should have similar trajectory. What’s your real world experience?

Round ball will be a lot worse past 120 yards. They shoot really flat to about 120 (50-54 at 1800-1900fps) if sighted a little high at 100. but at 150 it requires significant hold over and 200 is really a mistake unless you have shot at that sport before.  And the typical Hawken buttplate will not be a lot of fun with a 58 with a hunting  load. If I wanted something bigger than 54, and I had and hunted with a 58 years ago, I would go with an English Sporting rifle in 62-69 caliber. 
Velocity will not greatly increase killing power and can reduce close range  penetration somewhat. Its to make a flatter trajectory. AND for elk with a 54 I might well shoot a ball a little harder than pure lead. Based on experience. Since having my eye fixed I can hunt with  iron sights again but with the increasing number of Gbears where I elk hunt I am weighing the “benefits” of hunting with a ML.  Its always been something the watch for and no matter what you are carrying it gets smaller if you find a big nice, fresh Gbear track. But now they often come to gunshots for a free meal which changed things somewhat.

[Daryl]

PM Dan.