.45, .50. or .52

[GregK]

Which caliber do you use? .45, .50, or .52? (Please keep this to inlines only)

Why did you choose that caliber?

Is there a reason that you like that caliber over the other two?

Have you seen a terminal performance improvement by comparison in the caliber that you chose?

[a1smokepole]

I have all three for the 45cal its loss recoil and just fun to shoot you can shoot it with sabots or sabot less for hunting I like to use sabot less better because you can use heavy bullets like TEZ 250gr .451 resized to .450 and wad and you can find a lot in this size .451 or .452. and know the 50cal just all round good gun you have all the sabots you can shoot or need and bullets for sabot less very little to shoot in .500 . know the 52cal good shooting gun heavy on recoil over 120gr and 325gr bullet and you can only get your sabot from knight bad but this gun will put down anything you want to shoot. for the best gun it would have to be the 45cal for me and its flatter shooting gun over the 50cal and the 52cal .

[sourdough44]

I have several in 50 & 45 cal. I've mostly moved over to the 45. I plan to chronograph tomorrow. I want to see the 45 speeds myself, then I'll report back.

[T-Duster]

I have always took into account the availability of supply's when making a firearm purchase. Seems to be more 50 cal supplys out there and with sabots and several weight bullet choices I would stay with a 50 cal

[sourdough44]

My 45 cal Knight Elite gave a 2218 avg FPS with a 195 grn Barnes, 110 grains of B209 & a CCIM primer. My 50 cal gave a steady 1950 FPS with a 250 grn bullet & 120 grns of B209.

I know, speed isn't everything, but it can help.


One may have to plan ahead a bit more with the 45 cal M-L, not that hard though. My partners do shoot the 50 cals, so no trading with them at the moment.

[GregK]

My 45 cal Knight Elite gave a 2218 avg FPS with a 195 grn Barnes, 110 grains of B209 & a CCIM primer. My 50 cal gave a steady 1950 FPS with a 250 grn bullet & 120 grns of B209.

I know, speed isn't everything, but it can help.


One may have to plan ahead a bit more with the 45 cal M-L, not that hard though. My partners do shoot the 50 cals, so no trading with them at the moment.

You're right, speed isn't everything but that gun with the 195's should be an ultra flat shooter & fantastic for long range shots as well.

I love the idea behind the .,52 & actually with the bullets available it may actually be the most versatile of all the calibers. The powerstem ignition is probably the best if you are a T-7 shooter. The drawbacks are I'm not sure that Knight is going to continue production of them (just my feeling) & in most areas sabots & bullets have to be ordered.

I love my 50's. They shoot well & 50 cal stuff is available almost anywhere.

I also love the .45 cal. Lower recoil & flatter trajectories. Drawbacks are less ammo & sabot choices available & sometimes a slightly heavier gun.

[sourdough44]

I usually have enough supplies for years going forward. I take a little extra when I am away on a hunt, so I'm not searching the 'mom & pop' stores for supplies. I do think most should just start with a 50 to keep things easy. Nothing wrong with staying with the 50 either.

[GregK]

I usually have enough supplies for years going forward. I take a little extra when I am away on a hunt, so I'm not searching the 'mom & pop' stores for supplies. I do think most should just start with a 50 to keep things easy. Nothing wrong with staying with the 50 either.

I don't think there is really a wrong answer. Other than maybe the 52 for the largest game, but outside of that it becomes personal choice. I do the same as you & keep a good stock on hand so that I'm always good to go.

[hunterwhop]

I have a few 50cal, and one 54 the 50's are great on deer and a plethora of ammo choices the 54 is getting hard to find ammo for but it is used on elk moose and bear and have shot buckshot out of it for turkey. in fact it has a wild turkey medallion on it .

[Devastator1]

I have a 45cal Mountaineer. I used 200 grain bloodline bullets. This past season I had no issue taking shots and cleanly harvesting whitetail bucks at 175 and 180 yards. I also am very impressed with how accurate and lethal the bloodline bullets are.
Has anyone seen and shot the 45 cal 215grain Bloodlines?