Which caliber

[MikeR]

Either caliber uses about 100 gains of powder and about a 500 grain bullet. Both have noticeable recoil. Probably more important than caliber is rifle weight. The .45 will do well out to 1200 yards with a 500 grain bullet. The .50 would do best with 600+ grain bullets at extended ranges.

Currently I have 4 .45-2 7/8 SS's. They weight 9 1/2, 10 1/2, 12 1/2, and 13 1/2 pounds. I hunted elk with the 12 1/2 pound rifle in 2004 and the next year I had the 9 1/2 pound rifle which has been my hunting rifle every since. I've shot several cases of powder through it and banged a lot of steel in practice but the recoil is lively to say the least. For banging steel the 12 1/2 pound rifle is much less distracting but it's not nearly as good a hunting rifle. After carrying it for 3 days I was beat. I have carried the 10 1/2 pound rifle for some serious hunting and it is not bad to carry. I've shot probably less than 1000 rounds through it though. But if I get to go to the Quigley, it is one of the rifles I would consider using.