I recently learned that neighboring Wisconsin allows BP handguns during their muzzleloading deer season as long as the barrel is at least 7.5” and caliber is .44 or larger. My 1858 Remington (Pietta) satisfies both those requirements, so I’m going to use it if I have an unfilled tag at the end of the regular firearms season.

I’ve been shooting 25-30 grains of Pyrodex P FFFg, WonderWads, and .454 round ball at paper since I bought this gun (my first BP) a couple of months ago. Is there any reason I should switch to some other load/combination for deer? I won’t take any shots more than 35 yards.

I recently learned that neighboring Wisconsin allows BP handguns during their muzzleloading deer season as long as the barrel is at least 7.5” and caliber is .44 or larger. My 1858 Remington (Pietta) satisfies both those requirements, so I’m going to use it if I have an unfilled tag at the end of the regular firearms season.

I’ve been shooting 25-30 grains of Pyrodex P FFFg, WonderWads, and .454 round ball at paper since I bought this gun (my first BP) a couple of months ago. Is there any reason I should switch to some other load/combination for deer? I won’t take any shots more than 35 yards.

I would go with the 30 grains of Pyrodex P. I think this is pretty much the max load for the pistol, and what I shoot all the time. Should have enough oomph to put one down if you hit it in the right spot.

I recently learned that neighboring Wisconsin allows BP handguns during their muzzleloading deer season as long as the barrel is at least 7.5” and caliber is .44 or larger. My 1858 Remington (Pietta) satisfies both those requirements, so I’m going to use it if I have an unfilled tag at the end of the regular firearms season.

I’ve been shooting 25-30 grains of Pyrodex P FFFg, WonderWads, and .454 round ball at paper since I bought this gun (my first BP) a couple of months ago. Is there any reason I should switch to some other load/combination for deer? I won’t take any shots more than 35 yards.

Keep the shots as close as you can....not just for accuracy's sake, but becasue a round ball sheds velocity fast.

Even with 30gr. of powder (you may be able to get a bit more under that ball and still seat it), ballistics aren't impressive by today's standards...but it's enough if you put the ball in the right place. The wad is a nice addition, but it does take up powder space...considering you won't be shooting and reloading that may times at a deer, may try some loads with the ball on top of the powder and grease over the ball....but I'd take accuracy over an extra 5gr. of powder any day.

USE 3FG AND FILL THE CHAMBER To 1/8 INCH from THE TOP of the cylinder ! Then seat the ball and ram hard to compress the powder ! Use a wax type lube so that it doesn't get blown out from the last shot fired ! This should give you a little over 1000fps with a RB and hot caps ! About 2 inch groups at 25yds which i thing would be the max range to shoot a deer for a good kill ! JAGG

If I go with the grease/wax instead of a wad, should I factor in the outside air temperature when deciding on what to use? December in northern Wisconsin can be COLD!

I recently learned that neighboring Wisconsin allows BP handguns during their muzzleloading deer season as long as the barrel is at least 7.5” and caliber is .44 or larger. My 1858 Remington (Pietta) satisfies both those requirements, so I’m going to use it if I have an unfilled tag at the end of the regular firearms season.

I’ve been shooting 25-30 grains of Pyrodex P FFFg, WonderWads, and .454 round ball at paper since I bought this gun (my first BP) a couple of months ago. Is there any reason I should switch to some other load/combination for deer? I won’t take any shots more than 35 yards.

Well, why did you have to go and do that to me? I was going to be happy to stay home, in Mn this year to shoot my three deer. Now that I know that I can use a revolver, I NEED to buy a heavy 44 (I only have a 36) and sneak over there again this year. What made me even happier is that it appears that I can also use my double barrel Kodiak!
See ya in Wisconsin, Powderburn. :)

Well, why did you have to go and do that to me? I was going to be happy to stay home, in Mn this year to shoot my three deer. Now that I know that I can use a revolver, I NEED to buy a heavy 44 (I only have a 36) and sneak over there again this year. What made me even happier is that it appears that I can also use my double barrel Kodiak!
See ya in Wisconsin, Powderburn. :)


I sense that you didn't need a lot of arm twistin' to put that .44 on your shopping list!

My dilemma now is that, since I've committed myself to the muzzleloading season, I'll need a BACKUP percussion weapon in addition to my Remington. An 1860 or 61 Colt? A Walker? Or an inline long gun? Decisions Decisions.

Here's the Wisconsin DNR website if you want to get a PDF file containing the hunting regs:

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/

Safe hunting, and good luck!

PowderBurn

I sense that you didn't need a lot of arm twistin' to put that .44 on your shopping list!

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/

Safe hunting, and good luck!

PowderBurn



Powderburn,
I bought a .44. The regulations seemed ambiguous, so I asked the DNR if I could use it and theys aid "no." They apparently allow a single-shot pistol (no cylinder). Now what am I going to do with this here .44? :)

Their email to me follows:


Thank you for your email.

To use "muzzleloading" revolvers during the 10-day muzzleloader only season (Nov. 29 - Dec. 8), they must have a solid threaded breach plug, only able to be loaded from the muzzle, and may not have telescopic sights (1 power or less are legal). So, your revolver would not be legal to use during the traditional 10-day muzzleloader season.

However, muzzle-loading handguns .44 caliber and larger with a minimum barrel length of 7 inches measured from muzzle to breech face, that fire a single projectile weighing 138 grains or more are legal for deer hunting during the 9-day deer gun season or either of the 4-day antlerless -only gun hunts in Zone T and Earn-a-Buck units.

For more information, see page 9 of the 2004 deer hunting regulations. http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/index.htm

If you have more questions about the regulation, please contact:

Kurt A. Thiede
Regulation Policy and Outreach Specialist
Bureau of Wildlife Management
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
phone: (608) 267-2452
fax: (608) 267-7857
e-mail: kurt.thiede@dnr.state.wi.us

I hunt in the UP during the muzzleloading season. As best as I can determine, the cap and ball revolver is not legal so I bought a Pedersoli .50 caliber flintlock pistol which I wear on a belt holster that is similar to the belt holster for a hammer that carpenters use.

This pistol uses a charge of FFF of around 40 grains under a patched round ball. This load is more powerful than my 44 cap and ball revolver, but I would still want to keep the useful range to no more than 20 yards.

Hello,
A buddy of mine killed a deer at 50 yrds with a Cabella's 1858 Rem 44 cap and ball. I hit a big Cotton-mouth in the neck at about 20 yrds with the same type gun. Shot it from a bridge while it same down the creek. So I think that the 1858 Rem 44 has the range, accuracy, and power to kill deer at a reasonable handgun distance. I would shoot at a deer with one up to 50 to 75 yds. Heck, Wild Bill Hickock supposedly shot a guy through the heart at something like 75 yds. A deer and a human have similarly sized chest cavities.
Just something to think about.
Freebooter