Caliber question

[Adam Helmer]

GOB,

The question has already been answered for PA hunters; the minimum legal caliber is .44 for deer. A .36 caliber ball weighs about 70 grains and the T/C Max charge is listed in their booklet at 60 grains of BP.

The .36 may work in a pinch for deer, but a bigger caliber is fairer to the deer, IMHO.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Minimum caliber requirement here in MI is .40 (where they came up with that, I don't know.....I don't think I've ever seen a .40 cal muzzleloader). I remember reading Sam Fadala's book on muzzleloading, and he said that the .32 & .36 calibers were good for things like turkey, coyotes, and javelina, but not deer, for the reasons Adam sited (ball weight, amount of powder).

I'm just curious as to where you might have read such a statement, and if they were refering to traditional muzzleloaders or possibly inlines? I have seen deer shot with pistol bullets from inlines, and all I can say is that I think this practice should be banned....huge gaping holes that were not fatal, and a long, drawn out tracking/trailing job. Muzzleloaders are supposed to be close range weapons....stretching the distance with pistol bullets isn't helping the 'sport' any.

[skeet]

Originally Posted by Mr. 16 gauge

I have seen deer shot with pistol bullets from inlines, and all I can say is that I think this practice should be banned....huge gaping holes that were not fatal, and a long, drawn out tracking/trailing job. Muzzleloaders are supposed to be close range weapons....stretching the distance with pistol bullets isn't helping the 'sport' any.

Well I've shot a few(35-40) deer with pistol bullets with my muzzleloaders..mostly inlines. Never had a "gaping" hole or any such thing. Every one was a one shot kill. I had more problems in the past with maxiballs than any bullets. I did however use the heavier weights of pistol bullets. Found that most of the lightweights just didn't shoot well..didn't stabilize. If you find gasping holes in an animal it is probably indicative of a lightweight projectile shot at higher velocities at very close range. About the most velocity you can get in a muzzle loader would be 2400 ft per second. As far as muzzle loading being a close range "sport"?? What is close range?? The right projectile in the right caliber is easily good up to 200 yards. Now then..most hunters aren't good up to 200 yards....sad to say and as far as calibers..the originals used 36 for deer and bear...but there was a very good reason. First it was what they had..and the game wasn't being pursued like it is today..thirdly...those people knew how to track. My father in law was born in 1904 in West "By God" Virginia..shot his first deer in 1911 and he used of all things a 36 cal flinter. He used it until he left home at the age of almost 15 and got his first real job. He told me he helped keep the family in meat..from deer to rabbits and squirrels cause he was the youngest and father being dead his brothers were working. He also told me his first new rifle was a Savage 99 in 22 Hi Power and he killed many deer with it. In fact he used it to kill at least a couple of bears. He hunted at times for the logging camps he worked for.

[quigleysharps4570]

Originally Posted by Mr. 16 gauge

Minimum caliber requirement here in MI is .40 (where they came up with that, I don't know.....I don't think I've ever seen a .40 cal muzzleloader).

Kansas minimum is .39 caliber, .390-.395 roundball...which would be a .40 caliber. My little .40 longrifle with 70 grs. of 3f Goex and a .395 patched roundball kill deer. Not my choice though.