|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,239
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,239 |
In the not to distant future I'm planning on a muzzleloader elk hunt in Colorado. I shoot an Encore and an Omega now. What bullet do you suggest that will comply with Colorado regs and perform well in my rifles?
The lion and tiger might be stronger, but the wolf does not perform in the circus.
NRA Life Member
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,169 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 31,169 Likes: 6 |
Powerbelts are the goto muzzle loader bullet here in Colorado. My .50 like the .338 grain platinum PB's over 100gr of 777.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,239
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,239 |
Forgot to mention my rifles at .50 cal
The lion and tiger might be stronger, but the wolf does not perform in the circus.
NRA Life Member
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,262 Likes: 14
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,262 Likes: 14 |
My T/C rifles shoot the 348 grain PB with 80-90 grains BH209 very well.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,110 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,110 Likes: 6 |
I use 295 gr Powerbelts, Aerotipped and 100grains of FFG black powder or 777. Never saw the need for the heavy weights in the PB.The 295's have killed elk for me fine. For those that say the PB's come apart, here is one I dug out of an elk under the hide on the far side last year with that load. Shot was about 80yards, maybe less.Retained weight was 295 gr. 100%, minus the skirt and tip. If soemeone stuffs 150 gr of powder behind them they might come aprt. I don't see the need to do that either.
Last edited by saddlesore; 01/25/13.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,358 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,358 Likes: 1 |
Colorado got rid of the 2x caliber for length rule. I plan on using flat nose conicals and 80 to 100 grains of powder from here on out. Shot a bear with a 410 grain conical and 85 grains of powder last fall, worked quite well. Previously the 370 maxiball did very good on elk for me. Also have some 460 grain flat nose bullets to try as well. Good luck on your hunt.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 24,851 |
Never hunted elk with a muzzleloader, that said if I ever do and the states law allows inlines I will be loading 300 grain barnes expanders in front of 150 grains of pyrodex.
If the states don't allow it I would use my T/C Greyhawk with 100 grains of pyrodex and 300 grain Thor bullets at (.502")
Either way I'm good.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494
Campfire Kahuna
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,494 |
Slightly larger, but in 54 I run 565 grain no excuses. 100 of DuPont 2F. Shoots really well out to 200 yards with irons. And should pack a punch if I ever find and elk to shoot at.
I like the no excuses bullets. And would use em in smaller calibers too.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,755
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,755 |
.54 Caliber 310 Grain Buffalo Ball-ets
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
- Albert Einstein
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,688
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,688 |
I used T/C maxi bullets. I got the mold & poured them myself. My buddy uses a T/C Hawken with 100 grain of FF. I use a 54 T/C Renagrad with 120 grains of FF.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,219
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,219 |
90 grains of Pyrodex under a 295 Powerbelt green, did fine on my only cow with my Encore PH barrel. It also shoots 100 grains with the 348 Powerbelt well. My first shot was high, it was my first elk, shattered the spine and she couldn't move. Snuck in to 15 yds and put one more in her, instant death.
Keep Smiling
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,213
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,213 |
ditto last post 295 grain powerbelts, 90 grain pyrodex, in a .50 cal Encore
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,738
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,738 |
Colorado got rid of the 2x caliber for length rule. That's too bad, but being the case, then I would opt for a .45 caliber rifle with an 18" twist and use 475-550 lead bullets for a rifle capable out to 300 yds. There are not many such rifles made commercially that I know of, but it is i not too hard to build one actually. Pedersoli Gibbs is the best of the mass-produced rifles. and then after that it becomes custom, or at least semicustom.
Save an elk, shoot a cow.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,358 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,358 Likes: 1 |
They didn't get rid of the 50 caliber requirement though. Funny that in their world a 45 cal heavy just isn't enough right.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,738
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,738 |
Well, that's better. Of course a .45 is better for what I have in mind, but the .50 min requirement will pull in the max range a bit and slow folks down. It's not a lethality issue that should keep the .45s out, its all about distance. But whatever works.
Save an elk, shoot a cow.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 482
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 482 |
I use 370 grain Maxi-balls on top of 120 grains/eq of Pyrodex select. Runs about 1600/1700fps out of my Knight Revolution rifle.
You see in this world, there's two kinds of people my friend; those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 885
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 885 |
I would use my 58cal bigbore with a roundball big smack
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 954
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 954 |
The only two elk I have killed with a muzzle loader were shot with a Maxi-ball, and Maxi - hunter, 100 grains of FF, using a traditional MZ, with a peep sight.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,514 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,514 Likes: 1 |
i use the 348gr powerbelt with 100grs of powder in my 50 cal ml.
killed several elk with that combo, and have been well satisfied.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 203
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 203 |
250Gr Thor through both shoulders
|
|
|
|
536 members (222ND, 204guy, 1badf350, 1Longbow, 219 Wasp, 10gaugemag, 61 invisible),
1,857
guests, and
1,227
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,249
Posts18,525,094
Members74,031
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|