Elk hunting

[vanstg]

Friends,

I've never hunted for elk. But this year I hopefully will.
I'd like to hear from you elk hunters. What would you suggest as far as projectiles and powder charges? Rifle will be a .50 cal, either a 1:48 caplock, or a 1:28 in-line.


Thanks,
Vanstg

 

[Rebel]

Well personally, i would suggest a different caliber, say a .54 cal. or larger. A .50 cal. is marginal for elk, they are a big animal. I would suggest you sell the inline and buy a real rifle in .54 or better yet .58 cal. to use. JMO

 

[Deadeye]

Rebel is right. Elk are big and tough. Caliber and projectile, the bigger the better. You can get by with a .50 if you shoot 500 gr. bullets. If you shoot prb
you need a bigger caliber.

 

[roundball]

Like they said...I think .50cal round ball would be way too light...if you use something like a Maxi-Hunter conical, then it'll be fine.

If you like to shoot round balls however, and like the idea of having another rifle, a .54cal round ball would be better for Elk, and a .58cal would be much better to deliver a load of energy at longer distances.

I zeroed my .58cal at 50yds with 100grns of Goex FFg and a Hornady .570 ball, weighing 279grns, and it only drops 3" at 100yds...if your shots will be longer, go for 2" high at 50yds, etc

Big game, big bore... :winking:

 

[cayugad]

I think the 1:28 twist .50 caliber in-line could work up something that would be more then enough for an elk at moderate ranges. When I say moderate ranges, I hate to read how some of these people are shooting 200 yards at animals with a muzzleloader. I am not saying they can not do the job, I am just saying that you have to know that rifle and be accurate to what distance you limit yourself. If you can place your shots into a 5 inch circle all the time, what ever range you can do that at would be the longest I would shoot.

If the in line will shoot conicals, then go with a solid tip conical such as a T/C Maxi Ball. You want to get penetration as well as accuracy out of them. My inlines shoot them excellent. I also have some other conicals that the inlines do a very good job with.

Many people hunt them with Powerbelts. They like to shoot the 348 grain Aero Tip because of the penetration they are getting and the expansion from them are excellent. Also these will shoot very good in most inlines with 100 grains of FFg. That would hold you in good standing out to 100 yards I would think.

If your going with a sabot, use one with a poly tip in 300 grain range. I would see to it that at least 100 grains of FFg or in that area is the charge. The poly tip will give you penetration and still open up enough to do the necessary damamge.

Elk are thick skinned and tough. They can take a massive hit. Be sure you can place your shot. That is most important. Do not overstep your effective accuracy range, and use a projectile that penetrates and expands, and you should be fine.

Elk will even take a hit from modern centerfire rifles and run off, so be ready to track.

 

[txhunter58]

Lots of good advice from Cayugad. I too, think the 50 caliber is more than adequate for elk. I own a 54 caliber sidelock, but also own a 50 caliber T/C Omega inline. I will be hunting elk in Colorado next fall with the Omega and will be probably be using 90 grains of triple 7 powder and either the 348 or 405 gr powerbelt in the aerotip. More than enough energy to take down an elk out to 100 yards, which is my absolute max with open sights (which Colorado requires).

In case you don't know, 777 loose powder is aprox 15% more powerful than pyordex/ black powder. I verified this with a chrony. My 90 grains produces velocities of greater than those published for 100 gr pyordex. And 777 is much easier to clean up! I couldn't get acuracy until I dropped below 100 grains, so you have to experiment. I have heard of good results with powerbelts from 85 to 110 grains of 777 and every gun is different, so you have to find out how yours shoots.

If legal, you could try a sabot, but I just like slinging a big bad hunk of lead, so I think I would do it even if sabots were legal. Powerbelts are easiest to load, but are also the most expensive. Others I have heard that do well on elk include the Maxiball, the Buffalo bullet and the Colorado conicals by Precision bullets.

Good luck, should be a blast, especially if you have never done it before.

 

I will be hunting elk in Colorado next fall with the Omega and will be probably be using 90 grains of triple 7 powder and either the 348 or 405 gr powerbelt in the aerotip. More than enough energy to take down an elk out to 100 yards, which is my absolute max with open sights (which Colorado requires).

Don't get caught, I believe the law in Colorado is: (must be) non smokeless loose powder, at least 50 caliber, bullet or ball no more than double caliber long, the projectile must be the same caliber as the bore, open sights and no closet breach muzzleloaders (this includes the Omega)

 

[txhunter58]

Roaddog: you are misinformed. The Omega is legal in Colorado, I made sure before I purchased it and I know many Colorado hunters that use an Omega and powerbelts. What is illegal are sabots and any gun that can be loaded through the breech.

I will be using loose 777, powerbelts (slightly underbore, but not a sabot), and of course loading it through the muzzle. All perfectly legal for hunting elk in Colorado.

 

Roaddog: you are misinformed. The Omega is legal in Colorado

and no closet breach muzzleloaders (this includes the Omega)

I thought that was the way it went in Colorado. I said " I believe". ::

 

Colorado Wildlife Commission
Outlaws Inlines for Primitive Weapons Season

In action Thursday, January 15, 1998 the Colorado Wildlife Commission approved regulation changes restricting the types of firearms allowed during the autumn black powder hunt, and changed the season's official title to "Primitive Muzzle Loading Season Only." Effective Mar. 1, 1998, hunters will no longer be able to use rifles with in-line ignitions systems to hunt big-game during the special muzzle-loading season. Only muzzle-loading rifles "having an exposed external hammer such as a flintlock, percussion cap sidelock or underhammer" will be allowed.
The ignition system of in-line muzzle loaders has a firing pin directly in line with the explosive charge of black powder in the rifle's barrel. More classical sidelock muzzle loaders have an exposed ignition system -- usually located on the side of the rifle -- with a longer, less direct route to the explosive charge. Both types were previously legal. The regulation change was drafted by the Colorado State Muzzle Loading Association in response to concerns about the improved performance of newer in-line models, which the association said detracted from the "primitive" nature of the special muzzle-loading season.
The Commission approved the association's proposal with minor modifications that change the regulation's wording but not its substance. Although in-line muzzle loaders will be prohibited during black powder season, they remain legal for regular big game seasons.

I was right :winking:

 

[Darkhorse]

Roaddog,
I had also read the new regs same as you. I just hope more states, both in the east and west follow suit. The result should be more ML tags available for real primitive weapons. You can watch the Outdoor Channel and see guys killing deer and elk at 150 to 200 yards plus with inlines. To my mind this sorta defeats the purpose of a primitive weapons season in the first place.
Both deer and elk are most vulnerable during the rutting seasons so if hunters are using inline rifles then to keep the harvest down, less tags are sold.
If I get drawn for my New Mexico ML Elk tag I will be using a .54 Cal handmade Flintlock, shooting patched round balls. I just can't see doing it any other way. Unless I used a caplock Hawken.

 

[Deadeye]

Someone who has the current rules, please post it. I believe that 1998 rule only lasted for a yr. or two.

 

[Claude Mathis]

I could find nothing specific to In-line weapons. Current rules for Colorado...

Muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets, provided the minimum caliber shall be forty (.40) for all big game except elk and moose. The minimum caliber for elk and moose shall be fifty (.50). All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets from forty (.40) caliber through fifty (.50) caliber must use a bullet of at least 170 grains in weight. All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets greater than fifty (.50) caliber must use bullets of at least 210 grains in weight.

a. During the muzzle-loading firearms seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, and moose only lawful muzzle-loaders and smoothbore muskets may be used by muzzle-loading license holders.

b. During the muzzle-loading firearm seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, and moose the following additional restrictions apply:

1. Propellent/Powders: The use of pelletized powder systems and smokeless powder are prohibited.

2. Projectiles: Sabots are prohibited. For the purposes of this regulation cloth patches are not sabots.

3. Loading: Firearms must load from the muzzle. Firearms which can be loaded from the breech are prohibited.

4. Sights: Any muzzle-loading rifle or smoothbore musket with any sighting device other than open or

 

[musketman]

All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets greater than fifty (.50) caliber must use bullets of at least 210 grains in weight.

So I could not use my brown bess in Colorado on moose because there is no bullet made in .75 caliber diameter?

The .735 round ball weighs more than a .58 caliber "old style" minie-ball, go figure...

 

[Darkhorse]

Musketman,
I think the round ball is considered a "bullet" for these purposes. It must, however, meet the minimum weight. Which in a .75 caliber should be no problem.

 

But no PRB in .50 cal. :bull:

 

[Plains99]

I've hunted elk with .50 and .58 caliber muzzleloaders. .58 load was a 525 grain Buffalo conical with 70 grains of FFg in a Civil War replica carbine. Cow elk folded right up at 45 yards. I did not connect with the .50 but I'd go with a heavy conical and keep my range close. Conicals from Precision Rifle, Hornady, Buffalo and White range above 400 grains and I'd recommend any of them. Elk are tough but so are muzzleloaders at close range with heavy loads. I'd certainly try to get within 100 yards.

 

First I'm right, then I'm wrong, then I'm right again and now I'm wrong again,

I am so confused

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

 

[roundball]

That's correct...the big money boys from the inline industry got that overturned after a year

 

[txhunter58]

That's right, the ban on in-lines lasted only one year. I have always used my 54 cal side hammer T/C renegade until now, but will be using the Omega this year. Let me repeat with no if, ands or buts: The Omega is legal in Colorado. In-lines are legal in Colorado. And Powerbelts are legal in Colorado.

I sure do like shooting the Omega more than the side hammer. It may be as much that I have switched to 777, but I was never able to shoot more than about 6-7 times with my Renegade/pyrodex combo without getting a hangfire/missfire. However, I have shot my Omega for 16-18 times in a row with only a spit swap and clean patch between shots with not even one hangfire. I think the combo of being in-line, the 209 primer, and cleaner buring 777 are collectively responsible. Bottom line is that when I get it in the field, I will be more confident that I won't have a misfire at the crucial moment.