What setup for elk?

[longcruise]

a .50cal roundball may kill elk, but its not legal in co. Here we need to have at least 180 projectile for elk, the prb comes in at 178. In a .50 cal you need a bullet here in CO,

That's not correct. Those regs were specifically written to include the .50 with a prb for elk.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

40 caliber or larger must fire a projectile that weighs a minimum of 170 grains. If larger than .50, projectile must weigh a min. of 210 grains.

 

[Oldruffedhunter]

I'd rather build one to use for elk. As of right now I'm really thinking about a 58 cal for the extra punch with a RB. Keep the comments coming I'm sure it is helping others out too.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

if you want a .58, try looking up Deer Creek, i know they used to sell, 45 50 54 and 58 caliber Mountain rifles. I have a 45 and a 54 mountain rifle. Sweet rifles.

 

[Oldruffedhunter]

Does Deer Creek have a website? Should I opt for a longer barrel on the 58 cal or would it make that big of a difference? Thanks again

 

[Kentuckywindage]

these rifles come with 32" barrels and the balance of the rifles is excellent. They dont have a website but heres their number to call. 765-525-6181

 

[Hoyt]

The last rifle I built I built it with elk in mind. Made it lightweight as I could in case I ever went back into the Rockies. They like to have killed me last time. I built a .58cal. in Berk's Co, Henry Mauger. Ended up at 7-1/2 lbs.
The Mauger style stock has a lot of drop and when I first started shooting it would slap me against my cheek bone...bad..like in black eye. But I learned not to lay my face on top of the comb and instead against the cheek plate and it's a pleasure to shoot now.

Went with the light Colerain octagon to round 38" barrel and Chamber's big round face lock. I had and still have a Buck's Co. .54cal. I'd just built..but had to have a .58.

 

[tg]

40 caliber or larger must fire a projectile that weighs a minimum of 170 grains. If larger than .50, projectile must weigh a min. of 210 grains

it is interesting how the caliber and weight thing are addresed at times, the above would alow a .495 ball.caliber gun to weigh 170 gr but a .500 ball/cal gun must weight 210gr...either ball could be used in a so called .50 cal gun.

 

[Joel/Calgary]

a .50cal roundball may kill elk, but its not legal in co. Here we need to have at least 180 projectile for elk, the prb comes in at 178.

Work up a load with a ball of .495" (182 or 183gr, depending on your source) or larger and you'll be good to go. My .50 is more of a .51 and my best accuracy is with .500"/188gr ball.

Go for it!
Joel

 

[Oldruffedhunter]

I'm wondering if I'd still get a complete pass thru with a 58cal with round ball if I was to hit bone? I'm also wondering with the 58 what kind of mid range rise I'm going to get.

 

[tg]

If you hit bone with the .58 pass thru would probably not matter the animal should go down my experience with guns up to .58 is that if zeroed at 90-100 yds you will uaually still be in the kill zone at the apex, sighting in a bit closer would not hurt to keep it there, I have found this type of sighting to work very well, just aim at the same spot from the barrel out to 20 yds past the zero and the ball will land in the kill zone.

 

[Greenmtnboy]

a .50cal roundball may kill elk, but its not legal in co.
Steve

Hay bouldersmith,
I am a guide in Gunnison and a DOW volunteer. Actually you can legally use a 50 cal PRB here in CO. Some ball makers and some molds may weigh out under 180 grns but the general consensus is that a 50 cal RB weighs 180 grns. I have taken many elk with my 50 and a PRB out to 100 yrds. That said shot placement is most important. I now use a 54 cal Leman from TVM and have killed three elk with it that died just as fast but no faster than my 50.
I prefer a 54 cal.
:hatsoff:

 

[Greenmtnboy]

I'm wondering if I'd still get a complete pass thru with a 58cal with round ball if I was to hit bone? I'm also wondering with the 58 what kind of mid range rise I'm going to get.

Hay oldruffed,
I shoot a pure lead PRB and have taken many elk with it. Here's the kicker most of us who shoot 50 cal and up usually shoot at least 90 grs of powder (with a few exceptions there are some folk who shoot lighter loads and thats fine). At 0 to 50 yrds a all lead projectile will flatten out very quickly on a double lung shot and as I have experienced may not pass all the way through. Where as once that projectile slows down it doesnt tend to flatten out and you will get total pass through out to 100yrs double lung. I have had both situations happen to me on several occasions. I would never!!!! trust a all lead ball to break leg bones on elk size game. I am not saying it can't happen I shot a cow two years ago at 100 yrds and my RB passed through her shoulder blade that was very thin and into her lungs. Once again I can't express how important shot placement is. As a guide I will not condone anything but a double lung shot. Yes you won't knock down that elk but it will bleed out in under two min and most hunter have or should have the tracking skills to follow a double lung shot elk.
Two years ago I called in a big 6x6 bull for a client, the dumbass went for a shoulder shot not waiting for a better opportunity. He was using a 50 cal power belt copper hollow point bullet. The inpact knocked the bull down but he got up and ran I tracked him for two days with no blood sign I saw him a month later limping but very much alive. We were taping the hunt and on slow mo we could see the bullet hitting lower shoulder leg. Don't do it!! you will ruin your hunt and lose a beautiful animal.

 

[longcruise]

Actually, a weight of 180 grains is never mentioned in the regs. Here's what it says in the pertinent sub paragraphs:

C. To hunt deer pronghorn or bear they must be min. of .40 caliber.
d. To hunt elk or moose they must be min of .50 caliber.
e. From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh a min. 170 grains.
f. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh min 210 grains.

e. above may be the source of some confusion wherein some hunters think the reg refers to ball size, when in fact it refers to the caliber of the rifle!

Note that when correctly interepreted, a .45 caliber rifle loaded with a PRB is not legal for deer hunting since even a .450 round ball weighs only 137.1 grains.

Well, that was probably more detail than anybody wanted on the subject!!

 

[Kentuckywindage]

Marmot, i think thats exactly what everyone " well colorado wise" wanted to hear.

 

[Greenmtnboy]

Actually, a weight of 180 grains is never mentioned in the regs. Here's what it says in the pertinent sub paragraphs:

C. To hunt deer pronghorn or bear they must be min. of .40 caliber.
d. To hunt elk or moose they must be min of .50 caliber.
e. From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh a min. 170 grains.
f. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh min 210 grains.

e. above may be the source of some confusion wherein some hunters think the reg refers to ball size, when in fact it refers to the caliber of the rifle!

Note that when correctly interepreted, a .45 caliber rifle loaded with a PRB is not legal for deer hunting since even a .450 round ball weighs only 137.1 grains.

Well, that was probably more detail than anybody wanted on the subject!!

thanks marmotslayer it's been 18 yrs since I read the actual definition of legal cal and projectile here in CO.
Not much has changed except more hunters in the woods with single shot rifles(inlines)