Muzzleloader Bull Elk, 2023.

[longcruise]

Good story of a great hunt. What's the leather wrap on the forearm?

 

[IdahoHawken]

The wrap was originally made because on the first season I used the rifle. My wedge fell out and I had to build an a makeshift one in camp that wasn't very tight. I had some leather so I also made that to prevent it from falling out. Since then I have a better wedge but still left the wrap on.

I also made a leather muzzle cover that is usually on it until I anticipate firing, or am closing in on a stalk. It is off the barrel in the picture because I had just fired.

Every season I have another part fall off. First year was the wedge, second year was a lock screw, third year was the hammer screw, And this year I bent my ramrod when trying to reload (my fault and good thing I didn't need another shot). I still got a bull elk each year even with the parts malfunctions.....I am beginning to think that the elks' spirit demands a piece of my rifle in exchange.

 

[jay3]

Great pic, congrats on elk!

 

[Thingamajiggy]

nice pic and congrats on the elk!

 

[Hermit Tim]

Great Job and Picture.

I need to get over my disdain for tacky brass patch boxes and buy a Traditions half stock rifle kit.

Buy the kit and add a custom patchbox???

 

[Hermit Tim]

The wrap was originally made because on the first season I used the rifle. My wedge fell out and I had to build an a makeshift one in camp that wasn't very tight. I had some leather so I also made that to prevent it from falling out. Since then I have a better wedge but still left the wrap on.

I also made a leather muzzle cover that is usually on it until I anticipate firing, or am closing in on a stalk. It is off the barrel in the picture because I had just fired.

Every season I have another part fall off. First year was the wedge, second year was a lock screw, third year was the hammer screw, And this year I bent my ramrod when trying to reload (my fault and good thing I didn't need another shot). I still got a bull elk each year even with the parts malfunctions.....I am beginning to think that the elks' spirit demands a piece of my rifle in exchange.

Well it adds character. Makes it your rifle. Great hunt and congrats.

 

[Cubreac]

Holy smokes! Great story, rifle and bull. Congrats.

 

[Penske]

Congratulations!! Very nice bull!!

 

[Percy]

Well done, real nice bull.

 

[rmefbowhunter]

The wrap was originally made because on the first season I used the rifle. My wedge fell out and I had to build an a makeshift one in camp that wasn't very tight. I had some leather so I also made that to prevent it from falling out. Since then I have a better wedge but still left the wrap on.

I also made a leather muzzle cover that is usually on it until I anticipate firing, or am closing in on a stalk. It is off the barrel in the picture because I had just fired.

Every season I have another part fall off. First year was the wedge, second year was a lock screw, third year was the hammer screw, And this year I bent my ramrod when trying to reload (my fault and good thing I didn't need another shot). I still got a bull elk each year even with the parts malfunctions.....I am beginning to think that the elks' spirit demands a piece of my rifle in exchange.

Your comment, “i am beginning to think that the elks’ spirit demands a piece of my rifle in exchange.” is definitely the way of the Wapiti! They are magical animals for sure and like coyote, can be devilish ‘tricksters’ as well! Congratulations on four great hunts.

 

[Horse Creek]

It has been a good season this year. White Knob Mountains, Idaho. Rachel (my muzzleloader) took her 4th bull Elk. The rifle is a Traditions kit gun, and the projectile used was Hornady Great Plains Bullet. One shot.
View attachment 260779

great Bull!!

 

[SDSmlf]

The wrap was originally made because on the first season I used the rifle. My wedge fell out and I had to build an a makeshift one in camp that wasn't very tight. I had some leather so I also made that to prevent it from falling out. Since then I have a better wedge but still left the wrap on.

Nice elk. You may want to consider cutting a slot in your wedge and using a small pin to help keep them from getting lost.

The ‘capture’ pin is placed under or behind the slotted inlay, and goes through the slot in the wedge key. You can just make out the pin in the wedge slot in this photograph.

 

[user 36911]

Congrats on a nice bull.

 

[jarentz]

Very nice!

 

[user 31232]

That's a lot of bull congrats