Author Topic: Favorite White tail caliber  (Read 3115 times)

Offline MuskratMike

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Favorite White tail caliber
« on: January 19, 2025, 09:52:54 PM »
Out here in the far Pacific NW my favorite caliber for hunting is a .54 caliber (deer, elk, bear, feral hogs etc..) We don't have very many white tail deer in Oregon but they are expanding their range in my state but mostly we have mule deer and black tail deer. I have always found (no matter who built it or who's barrel it has) a .40 is the most accurate caliber and is legal in Oregon. What is your favorite caliber for hunting white tail deer, load you use and why?
I know I will get a dozen different reasons but am trying to expand my knowledge. Jealous of you who can buy a tag over the counter and shoot more than one deer. Except for some areas west of the Cascades you have to put in for a lottery for the single unit you want to hunt and it is limited to one deer due to the mismanagement of our wildlife and the forests of my state.
Whit tail hunters let's hear from you.
Thanks,
"Muskrat" Mike
"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline dadybear1

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2025, 10:21:07 PM »
MIKE, I USE A 54 CAL RICE AND/COLERAINE BARREL.  THE 54 MAKE A BIG HOLE( EASIER FOR ME TO SEE) AND WILL TAKE THE BIGGET MEAN HOG DOWN HERE IN NE TEXAS..

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2025, 10:45:10 PM »
I have used 45-50-54-58 and 62 for the Whitetail in my area ( Saskatchewan sub spices ) . The 58 is by fat MY go to for them with 110 gr. of1&1\2 Swiss. A lot of open country with longer than wood lot shots so a flatter trajectory is helpful. Also more pass through on bigger bodied Deer.

Offline Dave Marsh

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2025, 11:58:24 PM »
I generally use a 58 caliber.  Once in a while a 54.
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Online rich pierce

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2025, 12:03:21 AM »
It’s changed since the 1970s. Rifles in .45 and .50 were very common deer hunting guns back then.   Bigger calibers were considered by many as for elk and bigger game. Seems like the .45 is now considered marginal and the .54 ideal now. They all work with good shot placement.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Ted Kramer

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2025, 12:07:57 AM »
.52 & .60 cal. Both work very well on whitetail.

Offline Bill in Md

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2025, 12:13:22 AM »
It’s changed since the 1970s. Rifles in .45 and .50 were very common deer hunting guns back then.   Bigger calibers were considered by many as for elk and bigger game. Seems like the .45 is now considered marginal and the .54 ideal now. They all work with good shot placement.

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Offline Habu

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2025, 05:12:52 AM »
For whitetail, I've used a cut-down Brown Bess and my original Belgian double--both shooting a .735" ball--more than anything else.  The load I settled on for both guns was 95-110 gr FFg (actual charge depended on the powder manufacturer: target muzzle velocity is ~1200 fps), an overshot wad, and a patched .735" ball.  After taking more than 70 whitetail with it, I can say it is "adequate" but have to qualify that: I've never taken a shot past 30 yards on game with that load, and could usually stalk to within 20 yards or less. 

Offline Darkhorse

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2025, 01:25:54 PM »
I've been deer hunting with muzzleloaders since 1976 and all I've ever used was a .54 caliber rifle. It just works.
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Offline Don Steele

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2025, 02:48:35 PM »
For Deer and hogs in the S.E. Georgia area, shots are typically close where I hunt.
My 50 caliber has worked just fine from 20, out to 100yds with both roundballs and Hornady’s 385 gn “ Great Plains” conical.
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Offline alacran

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2025, 04:45:57 PM »
I think it depends on the deer in your area. The deer Smiley Grouch talks about are brutes. Texas deer tend to be all hat with small bodies.
Midwest deer also have big bodies.
Coues deer in Arizona and New Mexico, are small animals. The smallest caliber I have shot them with in a muzzleloader is .45.
I know a couple of guys who have shot them with a .36, but that is sitting a water source. I'm not familiar with the whitetail in your area Mike. If your hunting is going to be limited range out to 50 yards, I think any caliber will do.
Many a whitetail and mule deer has succumbed to a .22 long rifle bullet. Shot placement is everything.
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Offline Pukka Bundook

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2025, 05:04:37 PM »
In my case Mike, I have used .54 and .58 mainly, and more the .58.
have shot the odd one or two with a home made .44 barrel in flint,  but feel better with the bigger calibres.

Offline oldways

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2025, 06:14:16 PM »
I mainly use 50 cal. and 54 here in Ohio.

Offline wattlebuster

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2025, 06:28:03 PM »
I like 62s. Big holes leak blood better than smaller holes or at least thats been my observation for the last 40 yrs
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2025, 08:37:35 PM »
I shot many o' deer with a .50 cal and it worked just fine every time. Last season was my first with a .54 and it to worked just fine. For whatever reason(s) I enjoyed the .54 kill the most of all of them. I like rifles with recoil.

Offline Daryl

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #15 on: January 20, 2025, 10:03:41 PM »
PEARL DRUMS - I'm thinking you'd find my moose thrower a joy to shoot.
Taylor snapped this picture just before she stopped climbing.



Daryl

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Offline bob in the woods

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #16 on: January 20, 2025, 10:25:10 PM »
Daryl, that reminds me of the Ontario Muzzleloading competitions in Chatham, when I was shooting the smoothbore matches  Someone stopped to chat about my 10 bore, and while distracted I accidentally doubled the powder charge.  ie 140 gr x 2= 280 gr.   That was memorable !   After that shot , I asked the fellow if he wanted to try the gun....he declined  ;D

Offline Austin

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #17 on: January 21, 2025, 03:18:03 AM »
Here on Stoner Creek we have used anything from a .36 to a .70 something shoulder cannon that Big Wayne has…. Results are the same. Its all about shot placement… We change em up for fun.
Eat Beef

Offline Hawg

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #18 on: January 21, 2025, 03:29:06 AM »
.54 I hunted with a .50 for years but never was happy with it. I'm happy with the .54.

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #19 on: January 21, 2025, 05:04:15 AM »
Daryl, I would definitely enjoy a few rounds with that baby.

Offline B.Habermehl

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #20 on: January 21, 2025, 07:57:31 AM »
.58 Pa deer find it deadly poisonous.
BJH

Offline Kurt

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #21 on: January 21, 2025, 06:09:54 PM »
50-54

Online rich pierce

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #22 on: January 21, 2025, 06:15:05 PM »
I need a caliber that multiplies the deer population.  Any suggestions? I’m lucky to see 3 deer briefly in a whole season.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Dave Marsh

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #23 on: January 21, 2025, 06:27:05 PM »
We have a cabin in the middle of the National Forest that we have had for 11 years.  So far, we have seen one whitetail from our cabin in those 11 years.  Here at home in NY we see deer in our yard almost every day.   
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Offline Daryl

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Re: Favorite White tail caliber
« Reply #24 on: January 21, 2025, 11:59:20 PM »
Daryl, that reminds me of the Ontario Muzzleloading competitions in Chatham, when I was shooting the smoothbore matches  Someone stopped to chat about my 10 bore, and while distracted I accidentally doubled the powder charge.  ie 140 gr x 2= 280 gr.   That was memorable !   After that shot , I asked the fellow if he wanted to try the gun....he declined  ;D

I did that too, when testing loads over the chronograph. I got 1,550fps with 165gr., and 1,700fps with 200gr. I then went back to 165gr. to finish a group and accidentally doubled it to 330gr.
I recorded only 1,770fps for that shot, so the extra 130gr. only gave 70fps over the 200gr. load. LOL
Lifted me up off the stump I was sitting on, to the standing position. I guess that rifle has been proofed.
Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V