PRB in .54 for elk?

[liam_g]

Hey, folks,

Well, I tried to search the forum for 'elk', but search words have to be at least 4 letters! I apologize if this has been discussed ... I wanted to search before asking, I really did!!!

So, I'm preparing for an elk hunt on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, and am working on loads for my Lyman Deerstalker .54. I'm new to muzzleloaders, and this will also be my first elk hunt. So far I've been working with the prb, but am also going to try some conicals. My question is, do you consider a .54 prb to be decent elk medicine, out to around 75 yards? I'm hoping for a shot inside 50 yards, which is fairly likely in the timber, I'm told.

Just want some ideas from some of you who have the experience that I don't!

Respectfully,
Liam

 

[faw3]

A round ball and elk in 54 ? works great in that rifle, at that range something over 600 fpe with ff if you can use fff (dont think they show that one in the Lyman book but Ive used 80 to 90 grs and get real good hits at 100. Good shot placement is always most important with elk, as with any big critter. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[shmrck1]

Liam,
If you do your part properly the .54 PRB
will do the rest to harvest your elk.IMO
snake-eyes :hatsoff:

 

[Claude Mathis]

Hey, folks,

Well, I tried to search the forum for 'elk', but search words have to be at least 4 letters! I apologize if this has been discussed ... I wanted to search before asking, I really did!!!

I apologize for the Search feature not being better documented. It will receive an update.

If you go to Advanced Search - type in elk* - search only in "Muzzleloader Hunting" - and select "Show Topics", you'll have better results.

 

[liam_g]

Claude, thanks for the search tip!!! I'll try that right away.

fw & snake-eyes, thanks for the replies!

Regards,
Liam

 

[Vaino]

My .54 cal. "Hawken" has taken 3 elk w/ 130 grs. 2F, .020 thick patch lubed w/ Oxyoke 1000 and .535 swaged RB. One of the elk went down immediately and the other two only went a maximum of 40 yds. All were hit in the rib cage. This load is dead on at 100 yds. w/ a midrange heigth of approx. 2" and on elk is good to 125 yds. Used to use a .50 cal. w/ 410 gr. Buffalo bullets and the above load is a better "stopper", yields a much better trajectory and the projectile doesn't move up the barrel. In my estimation, at MLer ranges, the .54 RB easily compares to the "big mags" used by many hunters. { At one time I used one myself }.....Fred

 

[Plains99]

I've taken one cow elk with a round ball load but it was .58. Using a Confederate carbine replica and a load of 70 grains of FFg I spined her at 40 yards. She dropped so quickly that we had to roll her off her legs folded beneath her to begin quartering... so I'd think a .54 round ball would be just as effective at short range with good shot placement. Most of my elk have been taken with .54's using Great Plains conicals but never beyond 80 yards. That load is very effective at short range.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I have been wondering the same thing. I have a 54cal Renegade that likes 100gr Goex FFG and a .530 Hornady roundbhall. I am thinking about getting a GM 58cal barrel not because the 54cal would not do the job but because I am wanting something new to play with. If I do not get that barrel I would be happy to take my 54cal with PRB.

 

[Lone Carabiner]

If in doubt then use a double PRB for twice the hits. I use 'em in my .50 for deer.

 

[nate c]

Double round ball loads are not legal for MZ season in WA state. fwiw.

The regs specify a 'single lead projectile'...