I am a firm believer in big bore rifles for western game in the elk class...Have shot both 62 and 69 cal rifles with 160 to 180 grain of FFg on many elk...They don't go far if any when a good shot is made with those calibers/loads...Can recommend a heavy caliber, if you can shoot it well, as the recoil IS something to write home about...Punishing is the word...Point of impact is the MAJOR aim of any hunter and absolutely necessary...I am not only talking about hitting where your aiming here, but also aiming where you need to strike thru the vitals...
Majority of my shots on elk have been from a sitting position at from 10 yards to 130 and a little more, but have taken some offhand shots out to 60 or so...I am confident at the longer ranges so I take those shots when a have an animal in the correct position...
Since 1991 I have been shooting a fullstock 58 cal flintlock Hawkin I built prior to hunting mountain goats in Colorado that year...Since that time I have harvested mule deer, elk, antelope, bear, mountain goat and bighorn sheep in Colorado with that rifle...Can recommend that caliber as my choice for an all around big game hunting weapon for carry weight (1 inch AF barrel under 36, perfer 34), knockdown, flat shooting, and reasonable recoil in an iron cresent butt plate...570 round ball with 120 grains of FFg, 80 to 90 grains when shooting with the guys...
I know the rifle well and my ability with it so will take shots out to 150 if they present themselves...This year's bull elk was at 130 across a gulch from a sitting position...Shot went 6 inches high and about a foot left, not great, but still entered the vitals...Not an instant kill for sure..Went 50 yards, and I waited a full hour before following up, second shot was not required...
I have had my share of misses and screwups, but have always been a good tracker so have had very few losses...Anyone who has hunted, knows that things can go wrong and do even if the right choices are made, and game will be lost...Anyone who says diffent has either never hunted or is a liar..
Enjoy my 40 poorboy flinter for smaller stuff and walkthru's and have even taken a muley with it, but don't feel it is enough for deer size game and up...
My opinion, so take a shot... ...The Lizard..
Majority of my shots on elk have been from a sitting position at from 10 yards to 130 and a little more, but have taken some offhand shots out to 60 or so...I am confident at the longer ranges so I take those shots when a have an animal in the correct position...
Since 1991 I have been shooting a fullstock 58 cal flintlock Hawkin I built prior to hunting mountain goats in Colorado that year...Since that time I have harvested mule deer, elk, antelope, bear, mountain goat and bighorn sheep in Colorado with that rifle...Can recommend that caliber as my choice for an all around big game hunting weapon for carry weight (1 inch AF barrel under 36, perfer 34), knockdown, flat shooting, and reasonable recoil in an iron cresent butt plate...570 round ball with 120 grains of FFg, 80 to 90 grains when shooting with the guys...
I know the rifle well and my ability with it so will take shots out to 150 if they present themselves...This year's bull elk was at 130 across a gulch from a sitting position...Shot went 6 inches high and about a foot left, not great, but still entered the vitals...Not an instant kill for sure..Went 50 yards, and I waited a full hour before following up, second shot was not required...
I have had my share of misses and screwups, but have always been a good tracker so have had very few losses...Anyone who has hunted, knows that things can go wrong and do even if the right choices are made, and game will be lost...Anyone who says diffent has either never hunted or is a liar..
Enjoy my 40 poorboy flinter for smaller stuff and walkthru's and have even taken a muley with it, but don't feel it is enough for deer size game and up...
My opinion, so take a shot... ...The Lizard..