Dreaming of Kentucky elk

[kentucky bucky]

I was just sitting here convalescing from my recent surgery
and I was day dreaming about winning one of Kentucky's elk hunting permits at the drawing. I was thinking about how cool it would be to become the first hunter in nearly two hundred to kill an elk in this state with a flintlock. The question is, what would be a good "ball park" guess as to the best load in .54 roundball for the task. I have a 42 inch barrel Lancaster longrifle, but I usually use loads on the conservative side for deer and would have to "work-up" an elk load. Thanks

 

[Randal Zartman]

Kick back, relax and get well quickly. I have also been dreaming about getting one of PA's elk permits. I realize my chances are very slim but it is fun to dream. I think we have about 30,000 applicants for about 40 permits this year. I am really hoping that one of my daughters gets picked.
Working up an elk load sounds like a tuff job, but somebody has to do it.
Zman

 

[RussB]

The question is, what would be a good "ball park" guess as to the best load in .54 roundball for the task. I have a 42 inch barrel Lancaster longrifle, but I usually use loads on the conservative side for deer and would have to "work-up" an elk load. Thanks

Having taken a couple of Elk with a .54, my best guess on the load would be "all you can stand and still hit with".
Elk are not like deer. They are not even like "big" deer. An elk takes some killing, they don't just lay down and die. I am not being factious by saying "all you can stand". Shot placement is still the name of the game. Deer, Bear, Elk, whatever. Hitting it where you aim has to come first.
I have found with my .54 there is point of deminishing returns at anything over 120gr FFg, and 100gr FFFg. Due to this I have settled on 115gr FFg with a Roundball / Patch for Elk.
Several of my buddies use conicals, and they do okay. They feel they're right, and I feel I'm right. And, that's how things should be.
My .54 is in a Hawken with a short barrel (28" I think) your rifle may like something entirely different.
You hit the nail on the head when you said "work up" a load. And I feel somewhat confident in advising "all you can stand".
How long have you fellers in KY had the chance at Elk? Do you know the breed? I would suspect Rocky Mountain, but you just never know.
It's good to hear you at least have a chance of taking one of these magnificant animals. If you've never done it before, it will certainly be a lifetime experience. And it don't get no better with age either.
Good luck to you!
Russ

 

Russ is on the right track.
I have taken several bulls and a couple cows with my 54 flintier.
For deer and cows I us a RB 100% of the time, for bulls however I use a conical based on a civil war round and drawn from my barrel, its 436 grains with a hollow base and looks something like a sharps bullet, this sits on top of 95 grains of FFF.
Now while I truly love the RB I grew up hunting elk and know that while a RB will put one down in good order a bull can go quite always even hit with modern firearms, I just feel better with that big piece of lead in the barrel.
I also confine my shots to under 100 yard period, getting close as possible is the name of the game.
Your 54 will do the job and do it well, take the time to find a load that you can consistently hit your mark. I know guys that only use 80 grains and have harvested regularly as well.
Take your time get well and then spend some time with your rifle

 

[Stumpkiller]

Your 54 will do the job and do it well, take the time to find a load that you can consistently hit your mark. I know guys that only use 80 grains and have harvested regularly as well.

That's good to hear. 80 gr is no barn-burner, but it's what I use in both my .50 and .54 for whitetail. It does the job and is accurate. (Actually, I use 3 drachms or 82 gr., same as my 12 ga shot charge. Makes it easy to leave the same volume measures attached to my powder horns. Simplify, simplify).

 

[kentucky bucky]

Thanks for the info fellers!!!

RussB,
We have only had an elk reintroduction program in 13 sparsely inhabited eastern counties for a few years now. It is comprised of some areas of reclaimed strip mines and rugged mountains. They brought in elk from several western areas to make the herd more genetically diverse. I'm not sure of the year it started , but it's been a great success and the herds are growing strong an healthy.(lots of forage) The state is expanding the permit drawings this year, making more chances for the average guy. They have x amount of bull tags and x amount of cow tags. To keep the herd confined to the original area, deer hunters in all but bordering counties can kill any elk they come across during regular deer seasons. There are some big bulls being taken every year, and maybe one year my number will come up!