I don't think you will find much difference for whitetailed deer. Either caliber will work fine with roundball or conical. Some will say that the roundball works better. I'll leave that up to your research.
A 50 cal has the advantage of supplies being very easy to obtain, just about all Walmart type stores cary 50 cal stuff. 54 cal materials are a bit harder to find.
If you plan to hunt anything larger than deer, the 54 will be the best bet. If using roundball, almost no difference in felt recoil.
JPM
