54 or 58

[PAhunter]

 I am looking for a new flinter but torn between 54 or 58 cal. I will be shooting matches and hunting deer. Weight is a concern but a 42 or 44 inch barrel is a must. Any opinions?

[JPK]

I have been completely satisfied with 54 on game and targets, a long barrel benefits from being swamped or even tapered.

[rich pierce]

I have a .58 in a Christian’s Spring style, 38” barrel, that is a very handy gun. It’s got a “D” weight barrel. If you got a C weight in .54 caliber it should be about the same weight. I’d try to get an accurate weight for the barrel you’re buying and add 3 to 3.5 pounds to get final weight of your build.

[snapper]

Dont over think it.

You are splitting hairs to a certain degree.   Pick the one you like and run with it.

I would go with the .54 myself.

Fleener

[rsells]

PAhunter,
I have used both for target and hunting.  Over the years I have grown to  like the .54 better than the .58.  I have killed deer with both cal. and both were lethal.  I have killed deer with both cal. right at 100 yards and both done the job.  The recoil of my .54 is a bit less than the .58 and I enjoy competing with the .54 the most, and that may be the reason I lean in that direction for hunting and target.
                                                                         Roger Sells

[Daniel Coats]

Takes less powder to flatten the trajectory of a .54. I used 80 grains under a patched round ball to make a one shot kill on a moose at 100 yards.

[Top Jaw]

As has been partially said, less powder use by a bit, less felt recoil, higher velocity with same load, flatter trajectory from lighter round ball, similar effectiveness on game.  54 cal for all those reasons.

[MuskratMike]

I agree with Mr. Coats I have owned and hunted with both. I prefer the .54 for many of the same reasons as others have said. More than enough gun for all but a few of the game in North America.

[smylee grouch]

Wow, what is best 54 or 58. You could ask 10 people that and you might get 11 responses.  Between those two I prefer the 58 for hunting and target but not the same rifle for both. The 58 does a better job on 200 yard/meter targets ( bench rest & silhouette's ). It will have more penetration for pass through, two bleeding holes than smaller balls. This with all shot placements being equal. This being very important when in heavy cover or on heavy and or fatty game as fatty tissue sometimes clogs wound channels. JMHO and everyone else's mileage may vary. 

[Daryl]

If I was still hunting moose and building a rifle for target and hunting, I would go with the .58.  It's odd, but I have had 3 .58's but no .54's.

[Dphariss]

I am looking for a new flinter but torn between 54 or 58 cal. I will be shooting matches and hunting deer. Weight is a concern but a 42 or 44 inch barrel is a must. Any opinions?

54. If you only have two choices.  I don’t think anyone can tell a 54 from a 58 on game.
For Deer 50 works just as well IMO. If you want more actual power than 54 you need to go to 62 and then recoil WILL be an issue on many stock designs. If weight is and issue a B weight 50 would make a nice light rifle and will kill deer just fine with 70 to 90 gr of FFF.

[utseabee]

Personally I prefer .58 but .54 may be a more practical choice in Pa. Just about any gun shop has balls to shoot a .54, you have to look a little harder to or cast your own for .58.

[Dphariss]

If I was still hunting moose and building a rifle for target and hunting, I would go with the .58.  It's odd, but I have had 3 .58's but no .54's.

But you have bigger critters up there. Of course I have Gbears down here so…. And their increase over the years is one reason I carry a 54 hunting Elk now.

[alacran]

If you are hunting back East where most hunting is done from stands of some sort, then the .54 would be my choice. If you are hunting where a lot of walking (6 plus miles a day) and glassing is the norm, I would skip both the 54 and 58 and go with a .62. Specially if you must have a 42-to-44-inch barrel.
Recoil is not a factor when hunting. It may be when you are sighting in the rifle. A Past recoil pad will take care of that.

[Jerry]

I will agree with Fleener. Don’t over think it. Jerry

[rich pierce]

I think a .56 is in order. Just kidding!

[TDM]

My vote is for the .54 too. Unless your exclusively hunting the largest of large North American game, trophy moose & bear, the .54 is more than sufficient. I'm ordering my Woodsrunner kit in 54.

[Nessmuck]

My next purchase will be a .54 and 44 inch barrel.

I’ve had every cal...but a .54