.58 load for elk

[robin du foret]

This will be my second year paddling a Colorado lake on the hunt for elk. Last year I charged my 58 cal flintlock, 46" oct - rnd with 100 grs goex ffg, .570 roundball and 015 patch.

Any thoughts on that load for elk? Most particularly in terms of penetration out to 75 yards. I ask because this December I took a Nebraska whitetail at 40yrd with 80 grains and while the shot entered at the last rib and angled forward to lodge just behind the off shoulder it did not exit. Finding a deer in a small patch of wood surrounded by cornfields is all well and good but I’m a bit concerned now about the penetration ability of a .570 roundball with 100 grains shot into an elk. If all goes well I shoot. I wait. I walk less than 100 yards and find a dead elk. But if things go south and my elk moves I would very much like a blood trail to follow in steep mountain terrain. If the shot is broadside, through the ribs, might I expect a 100 grain load to pass through a cow elk? My rifle does shoot 110 and 120 grain loads as well as 100. Is there a significant increase in velocity with the increase of 10 or 20 grains?

A lot of questions, I know, but any advice is welcome (except advice about making a clean shot, practice, practice, etc ”¦ (I get out and stump shoot 3 ”“4 days a week, punch holes in paper once a month, and limit my shots (in the best of conditions with a rest) out to 75 yards ”“ 50 or less and I’ll shoot offhand)).

Thanks,
Robin

 

[roundball]

This will be my second year paddling a Colorado lake on the hunt for elk. Last year I charged my 58 cal flintlock, 46" oct - rnd with 100 grs goex ffg, .570 roundball and 015 patch.

Any thoughts on that load for elk? Most particularly in terms of penetration out to 75 yards. I ask because this December I took a Nebraska whitetail at 40yrd with 80 grains and while the shot entered at the last rib and angled forward to lodge just behind the off shoulder it did not exit. Finding a deer in a small patch of wood surrounded by cornfields is all well and good but I’m a bit concerned now about the penetration ability of a .570 roundball with 100 grains shot into an elk. If all goes well I shoot. I wait. I walk less than 100 yards and find a dead elk. But if things go south and my elk moves I would very much like a blood trail to follow in steep mountain terrain. If the shot is broadside, through the ribs, might I expect a 100 grain load to pass through a cow elk? My rifle does shoot 110 and 120 grain loads as well as 100. Is there a significant increase in velocity with the increase of 10 or 20 grains?

A lot of questions, I know, but any advice is welcome (except advice about making a clean shot, practice, practice, etc ”¦ (I get out and stump shoot 3 ”“4 days a week, punch holes in paper once a month, and limit my shots (in the best of conditions with a rest) out to 75 yards ”“ 50 or less and I’ll shoot offhand)).

Thanks,
Robin

As one reference, TC's loading manual shows the following velocities for a .58cal patched ball out of a 28" barrel with Goex 2F:
80grns = 1302
90grns = 1373
100grns = 1428
110grns = 1518
120grns = 1595

I deer hunted Eastern whitetails in thick woods with a mid-range load in a .58cal Green Mountain Flint barrel (1" x 33" x 1:70")
100grns Goex 2F
Oxyoke lubed wonderwad
.018" lubed pillow ticking
Hornady .570

4 bucks broadside, all inside 50yds, complete passthroughs of course. I like stout loads and if I was taking my .58 after something larger like Elk, and particularly where the average shots would be longer than my close woods settings, I know I'd bump up the powder charge.

(Also note that Oxyoke wonderwads are supposed to increase velocity just by adding them to the same powder charge)

 

[BS]

Basicly the extra 20 grains of powder will give you 25 more yards of energy.

120 grains will make a 75 yard shot the same as a 50 yrd shot with 100FF. [about] :grin:

 

[John Strong]

I've always used 120 grains of goex FFG, .570 round balls and .018 ticking. My rifle shoots that load the best and I have had good success with it.

 

[roo shooter]

I would use the heavy load of 120 grains if it shoots just as well,and i was comfatable shooting that load,may as well hit him hard as you might only get the one shot.