stonesfan08
New member
what would be a good starter ball and cap pistol for whitetail deer hunting?
first ball in cap
- Thread starter stonesfan08
- Start date
Smokin_Gun
New member
Colt Walker .44 holds 60gr, Colt Dragoon .44 holds 50gr, ROA Ruger .44 holds 40 gr, 1958 NMA Rem .44 holds 40gr...myself I'd use a Rifle of .50 or greater and carry a Remington NMA. All with a roundball...
stonesfan08
New member
i plan to use it during fire arms deer season not muzzleloader and with no rifle because i am looking to make things harder for my self
Smokin_Gun
New member
Then I'd say use a .457"/250gr conical in a Walker and as much powder as will fit...and practice.
I just hate seein' a wounded deer runnin' off ... I got no problem killin' one but I would keep the shot within' 50-75 yards for the animal's sake...
I just hate seein' a wounded deer runnin' off ... I got no problem killin' one but I would keep the shot within' 50-75 yards for the animal's sake...
I can't imagine using a percussion revolver at any range greater than 40 yards for whitetail deer. Even the Walker in the hands of a good shot and experienced hunter will have a difficult time producing the necessary combination of accuracy and bullet energy on target to make that kill with one shot. Sorry, I just don't believe it can be done reliably.
Use a .457 round ball with a percussion revolver. The conicals simply are not accurate as the revolvers do not have enough time to stabilize the bullet for any accuracy at all. A round ball inside 50 yards is every bit as effective as, if not more effective than, a conical bullet in terms of penetration and expansion.
Avoid full chamber loads and develop the most accurate load for your revolver. This requires a considerable amount of time at the range trying different loads, lubes and loading techniques. When using a hand gun on whitetail deer the key is to put the round in a one-kill location and do it reliably. It's much more important to get the right shot placement than to have 'magnum' power on the target.
Which revolver? I'm not a fan of any particular design, so to me a reliable gun that fits your hand and that you can shoot accurately and comfortably is the answer. I think the minimum caliber is .44. The candidates, in my favorite order are:
Use a .457 round ball with a percussion revolver. The conicals simply are not accurate as the revolvers do not have enough time to stabilize the bullet for any accuracy at all. A round ball inside 50 yards is every bit as effective as, if not more effective than, a conical bullet in terms of penetration and expansion.
Avoid full chamber loads and develop the most accurate load for your revolver. This requires a considerable amount of time at the range trying different loads, lubes and loading techniques. When using a hand gun on whitetail deer the key is to put the round in a one-kill location and do it reliably. It's much more important to get the right shot placement than to have 'magnum' power on the target.
Which revolver? I'm not a fan of any particular design, so to me a reliable gun that fits your hand and that you can shoot accurately and comfortably is the answer. I think the minimum caliber is .44. The candidates, in my favorite order are:
- Ruger Old Army
- Rogers & Spencer
- 1848 Colt Dragoon, 2nd or 3rd Model
- 1858 Remington New Army
- 1847 Colt Walker
- 1860 Colt Army
simonkenton
New member
Have you ever killed a deer?
If you are a rookie, do yourself a favor and use a rifle, you don't need to make things harder on yourself.
If you are an experienced deer hunter, my apologies. Then, the question is, are cap and ball pistols legal for deer where you hunt?
They are illegal in many states, and there is a good reason why. They lack power.
However, they certainly will do the job at close range. I would use the round ball, not the conical slug. The round ball is a very effective killer.
If you are a rookie, do yourself a favor and use a rifle, you don't need to make things harder on yourself.
If you are an experienced deer hunter, my apologies. Then, the question is, are cap and ball pistols legal for deer where you hunt?
They are illegal in many states, and there is a good reason why. They lack power.
However, they certainly will do the job at close range. I would use the round ball, not the conical slug. The round ball is a very effective killer.
madcratebuilder
New member
My choice would be my ROA at less than 50yds, preferably less than 30yds. Bullet placement well be key.
robhof
Thompson makes or made a single shot percussion pistol in .50 that can hold a good charge of b/p. I use the ROA as a backup and finishing gun during b/p season in Ky. where it's legal. I would only use it as a primary if the deer were point blank, just because of the lack of penetration of the ball. As stated above the ball works best in all the revolvers, due to the twist rate of the barrel and while the 45 ball out of a 34" rifle barrel is effective out to 75yds with 90gr of powder as I've proven with my flinter, I still prefer the 50 for best results.
Thompson makes or made a single shot percussion pistol in .50 that can hold a good charge of b/p. I use the ROA as a backup and finishing gun during b/p season in Ky. where it's legal. I would only use it as a primary if the deer were point blank, just because of the lack of penetration of the ball. As stated above the ball works best in all the revolvers, due to the twist rate of the barrel and while the 45 ball out of a 34" rifle barrel is effective out to 75yds with 90gr of powder as I've proven with my flinter, I still prefer the 50 for best results.
it is legal in missouri to use a cap and ball revolver 40 caliber or larger however a percussion revolver wouldnt be my first choice either as the round ball does lack penetration but you will likely find this out for yourself just target shooting when you see those balls bounce back at you all nice and flatened out and the back stop was just wood to begin with.
if your using it during gun season why not use a center fire pistol or revolver it would be alot more adequate for killing deer but still have a reduced range.
if your using it during gun season why not use a center fire pistol or revolver it would be alot more adequate for killing deer but still have a reduced range.
stonesfan08
New member
you see i have been using a number for centerfire rifles. i have never taken a shot i was not 100% sure i could make a clean kill with. i am very up tight about only taking a shot that i know will drop the deer right away(i have passed many good sized deer because of this. two years ago i passed a really larger 8 pointer because the sun was behind the deer and i didnt llike the glare in my scope, at the range it would have been a easy shot i wouldnt have thought twice about). i have a new stand in a high deer traffic area of my hunting grounds the last few years the deer i have killed were within 25 paces for me. i think that it is around 20 yrds. so i know i can get a good clean shot off but whats a good gun to start with?
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Smokin_Gun
New member
Sorry but that statement made me laugh ...I agree whole heartedly with Hawg ... a 142gr RB with 28 gr of Holy Black will not only penatrate wood it'll go through a propane tank like it's butter. also it'll make steel chickens fly at 25yds and 8-10/lb rams(Metalic Silhouttes) clang off the rails at 100yds.
Round balls may be more accurate and will put a man doun at a distance but connicals pennitrate deep amd have more kentic energy with 250gr of lead.
I'll swear by either a 1858 Remington or an 1848 Dragoon with a .457/250gr conical 40-50gr of BP at 25 yards on big whitetail deer.
Accuracy is xlint with the conicals at that range and beyond to 50yards.
Colt Sig. Dragoon 42gr of BP fffg 250gr conicals
The Colt Dragoon is for sale $500...
The Remington was a hair lower with 28gr and the 250gr conicals at 25 yards ... your choice.
E.N. Santa Barbara
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Smokin_Gun
New member
A starter gun for you go get an 1858 NMA Uberti. Pietta, Euroarms which ever fits you best... you'll do well Pardner..and good to meet another intelligent hunter... :O)
was shooting at a oak tree stump at 20 yards it is thick enough it would of not blown through it but I atleast expected it to penetrate enough to atleast stick in the stump load was 30 -35 grains pyrodex p some of them did penetrate enough to stick but there was several that bounced back and landed right in front of me and the 44 ball was about the size of a quarter.
