Muzzleloader bore size for women

[just_sawing]

I am writing this not to cause an argument but to give an observation. I have been known to shoot many different types of guns and have always tended to the larger bores on muzzleloaders. I picked up years ago a 40 for my daughters to shoot instead of the 50 and 54 Sharps.
Yesterday having received a beautiful Lonnie McMillian long rifle (cap not Flint) I sat with my daughter on opening day. I was able to take a nice Doe (we are meat hunters and never acquired a taste for horns) (Also we are so over populated that the herd has to be reduced here).
I shot her at about 25 yards with my position being slightly above her. The 40 cal ball entered the upper right shoulder clipped the spine and then went through the left shoulder stopping at the skin.
Looking at this I realized that shooting a 50 or larger I had always punched all the way through. any energy after penetration is lost so the 40 was the perfect round for this day and this deer.
Why I am writing this is for the smaller lighter Homesteaders that may not have considered a muzzleloader for their meat larder.

[MELOC]

pennsylvania requires one to use a .44 cal. or larger. i expect some other states may as well. if hunting legally is a consideration, maybe it is worth a look at the regulations of your particular state.

i appreciate the exit wound. the through and through shot means you may have more blood to follow in the event you make a less than perfect shot.

i am sure the smaller calibers fly better, though.

[Jolly]

I like a hole going in and a hole going out.

But what works for me, may not work for someone else. That's why they make so many guns and so many calibers...

[Bearfootfarm]

I had always punched all the way through. any energy after penetration is lost so the 40 was the perfect round for this day and this deer.
Why I am writing this is for the smaller lighter Homesteaders that may not have considered a muzzleloader for their meat larder.

Often, without an exit wound, the whole deer is lost. If youre not getting pass throughs at 25 yds, your load is seriously underpowered

50 cal is the standard. It's much easier to find bullets and accessories, and since you can load any power level you like, it really makes no sense to say a smaller caliber is better "for women"

[7thswan]

You are right Bearfoot, it's like saying a certain vehicle has too much Horsepower for "a woman".

[Ed Norman]

Make the exit, let the sunshine and cold air in and the blood out. But, your 40 worked. Great shooting. I like a 54 flintlock with round balls.

[poorboy]

I like a soft lead bullet in my .45, does about the same thing those expensive sabots do in the fiftys and larger..if I'm going to just shoot rb I'll take my 50..

[just_sawing]

My personal is a 54 cal Sharps with 465 grains. It is more like a bulldozer. But with that said and with four daughters who all shoot the larger muzzleloader intimidates them. The smaller cal is easier on them.
With using all the opportunities for meat using a smaller caliber for a smaller person can get their freezer full.

[big rockpile]

I've found with most Sidelocks they are heavy enough the absorb the recoil no matter calber.

big rockpile