Recommended Load

[jack starkey]

Need some ballistics help on recommended powder, charge, bullet type, size, etc. for elk hunting with a 50 cal, fast twist, pedersoli, percussion type. Anyone?

 

[David W.]

Need some ballistics help on recommended powder, charge, bullet type, size, etc. for elk hunting with a 50 cal, fast twist, pedersoli, percussion type. Anyone?

Welcome to the forum!

I don't have the ballistics handy, but I would use a .490 ball/.020 pillow ticking or denim patch/Ballistol, Hoppes, or Dixie Gun Works Old Zip lube/80~100 gr FFFg Goex.

 

[Lonegun1894]

My inclination is to say stick with a round ball, but I haven't had a chance to hunt elk, so that doesn't mean much. I would use a PRB though, out of either my .50 or .54, but have to admit I would lean toward my .54 on this. Having said that, I think a .50 will do just fine as long as you place the ball where it belongs. I have snuck up on them though on several occasions, just couldn't shoot cause all I had was deer tags and couldn't find any deer to hang the tags on. Out of curiosity, when you say "fast twist", what is the actual twist rate? I think that will help get you the proper information that you are looking for, by giving the elk hunters here more specific information to work with.

My standard loads for my .50s are 70grs FFF Goex with a .018 pillow ticking patch (walmart or joanne's fabrics type) lubed with Stumpy's Moose Juice. The trajectory is plenty good out to about 100yds, but I try to get closer to any game I take. I think this would do the job, but would also expect a longer tracking job than with a load containing more powder, which varies from rifle to rifle in order to maintain accuracy. I would say start at 60 or so and work up slowly until you find the sweet spot for accuracy. I doubt you will like that answer, but I think most here will agree with me in that you need to work up the best load for you and your rifle as any of our loads may or may not give the results you are looking for. Only shooting and trying different loads will show what your rifle likes best.

 

[jack starkey]

sorry flintlock 62 what is FFFg Goex

 

[David W.]

sorry flintlock 62 what is FFFg Goex

FFFg is the size of the granulation of the powder. Usually FFg or FFFg is used in rifles. Goex is a black powder brand.

Do you already own a rifle? If not, I would go for a .54 to .62 for elk. A .50 is OK though.

 

[Stubert]

How fast is the twist? Faster than 1-48 and you might require a conical.

 

[Spikebuck]

I have a Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken in 54 caliber that is 1-65 twist (which would be considered a slow-twist round ball shooter). However, it shoots the big Hornady Great Plains 435 gr bullet with excellent accuracy. Group size at 100 yards is about the same with roundball as the GP bullet, but the heavier GP does drop about 4" more at that distance with the same 90 gr load of Hodgen Triple Seven powder.

Hornady makes the GP bullet in 50 caliber as well.

If your 50 is truly a fast twist, then a conical may work best. In fact the Pedersoli Missouri River Hawken is really designed for modern ML bullets.

Every gun has a load and projectile it will like best. You might have to just experiment to see what works best for you.

I'm personally a proponent of heavy projectiles...maybe it's a holdover from my traditional archery beliefs in heavy arrows. An elk is a big critter and a 50 caliber RB will certainly do the job, but my preference would be to have a projectile that weighs more and still shoots accurately. With my Hawken I can use a round ball for animals the size of whitetail but have the flexibility to use a heavy conical for bigger game.

 

[50cal.cliff]

I won't say for Elk as I have never shot at one down in FL. :haha:

However I will address the .50 in a 1-48 twist. I shoot a PRB in my .50 with 95grns. of 2ff Goex with great accuracy. However since you are talking about ELK. You may want to try a R E A L bullet. I have never tried them but have heard they shoot well with 1-48 twist.

Check out this at TOW if your not familiar with them. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/partList.aspx?catID=18&subId=126&styleId=980

I think the biggest obstacle you may face is one that we all face. No matter the game we are pursuing and that is shooting distance and shot placement! A well placed, good shot will take down pretty much any anamil! So it boils down to knowing our guns and our ability as a hunter to make an ethical shot!

 

[Rat Trapper]

My TC Hawkens likes 90 grains of Triple Seven 2F with a Hornady 385 grain great plains bullet with ox-yoke lubed felt wad over powder. You will have to try some loads and see what your rifle likes. A hot shot nipple and CCI #11 mag caps are what I use for hunting. For shooting at the range I often use regular caps and have no problems with Triple Seven. Becareful with elk, if you don't do it right they have a habit of going some place that will make you wish you had stayed at home. I worked for an outfitter in my younger days out in Colorado, been there seen it.

 

[ebiggs1]

I haven't hunted or shot an elk with a 50 cal RB but I have killed them with my 30/06. That experience tells me a 50 RB, although would probably kill and elk, is NOT a reliable killer. I would think your range be limited to pretty close and shot placement critical. Most hunters can not do this consistently, at least they don't in the high power center fire realm. But I don't think anything under 45 cal should be legal for deer either, so that is where I am coming from.
If you don't already have a rifle get a 54 or bigger. If you already have a 50, practice, practice, practice and limit yourself to 50 or less yards. We are hunters not killers!

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Tomm]

having hunted elk and killed two or three and seen maby ten killed I wouldn't use a fifty cal. round ball they are just to light in whight. I used a 58 tc big bore and had to shoot mine two times each both shots in the lungs and then still had to track for a good ways. I hear of all the one shot kills on elk with .50 and .54 round balls but I have never seen an elk that took less the two shots to bring it down and that was with .54 great plans bullets of over 400 grains. Not saying that it can't be done just haven't seen it happen. by the way the .58 used tc 570 maxie hunters. Tomm

 

[hanshi]

I've never even hunted elk but have been close enough to big bulls to hand feed them and touch them. These guys are massive. At the closer ranges I'd think a .50 in the heart/lung area would do fine. However, I'd be more than tempted to use WW metal rather than soft lead for better penetration. I'd have no worry with a cow elk and a .50 prb but the massive size of a bull is worth extra consideration.

 

[jack starkey]

I'm an old guy whose killed 4 of the brutes up on the Thorofare outside Yellowstone and had to hit them twice with a .308. I'm taken the Hawken 50 cal Pedersoli charged with 65 gr of triple se7en and a Barnes 290 grain boat- tail copper sabot. I don't expect to shoot much over 100 yds and only need to experiment with the charge on the range to keep it tight. 65 gr might not be enuf, the barrel is 1:26 .............. so it's trial and error. Thanks for the help guys and good to be with you. This is a great site. Good hunting Jack

 

[jack starkey]

Thank-you spikebuck, Jack

 

[asbrown]

I used to have real good performance and accuracy with 90 grains of FF American Pioneer Powder and a 285-295gr(been a while,i cant remember the exact weight) powerbelt. also used a 348gr powerbelt in front of 100gr APP. This load kicks but i'd shoot it at anything in N. America without a thought.

 

[jack starkey]

Right on addict. If we can keep the shot 100-125 yds and in you will kill with that load. If you don't you have no business being out there.

 

[jack starkey]

Right you are Hanshi! These young bucks are to into ordanance and higher calibers.Velocity kills I agree. But as an old rifle hunter I've come to learn that overkill has no sport in it.The better your accuracy the less caliber and velocity you need to kill.So hunt to get that advantage, be patient when you set up and still............ you will miss.Jack

 

[Adui]

Additionally, check with the regulations for where you are hunting. I know my .50 will knock an elk down with the right load. Never the less, the State of Oregon, (where I called home till a year ago) requires a .54 caliber muzzle loader for elk minimum. (or at least the used to)

 

[David W.]

Additionally, check with the regulations for where you are hunting. I know my .50 will knock an elk down with the right load. Never the less, the State of Oregon, (where I called home till a year ago) requires a .54 caliber muzzle loader for elk minimum. (or at least the used to)

I probably should have posted "check your state regs." myself. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Adui]

NP, just figured I'd toss it in. I'd hate to see a fellow ML get into trouble over caliber when he's (or she as it applies) doing everything right and trying to be ethical about it.