cabela's hawkens
I have a cabelas .54 rifle, 1:48, and a sporterized carbine in .50. There is absolutely no difference in accuracy with the two, once the proper load is found. They are both very tolerant of powder charge, being accurate with nearly any amount up to the max.(100 gr. vol. t7) The carbine can shoot a heavier saboted bullet than the .54 due to the twist, but a great plains 425 gr. shoots very well out of the .54 if you need a heavy bullet. The finish quality is noticabely better on the carbine, but both are good looking guns. The rifle is better for offhand shots, and I have no chronograph, but must have a bit more oompf. Performance in the field, on MANY deer has proven no noticeable difference, at least to 150 yards or so.For deer, I use 100gr T7, and 250 gr xtp for the .54, and 250 sst for the .50. The 300 shoots the same left to right, but about 2" lower at 100 yds. in the .50, and keyhole in the .54.