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Originally Posted by bwitty72
going Muzzle Loader Elk hunting in NM. First time Hunting Elk and fairly inexperienced in ML hunting. I would like to know yalls suggestions on best bullet to use.

Thanks in advance


Gotta look at the Barnes. But If you can't get them down your barrel you won't like trying to load them. Seems to me your season as mine is coming upon us fast. So I'd not hesitate to grab a powerbelt. I've yet to find a bullet that loads easier especially after multiple shots.

I think Thor bullets use's a Barnes and offeres them up in the proper bore diameter for your rifle.

"The Best"?

Any bullet properly placed is the best. smile Good luck and happy hunting!


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Originally Posted by starsky
You couldn't pay me to run a Powerbelt into an elk. Pass the solid lead...


I,ll freely admit Ive never used a 50 cal front loader on elk, Ive always used my 58 cal or 62 cal, but a maxi ball over 100 grains of 2F seemed to work well every time so far, and in my two hawken style rifles groups under 2.5" at 100 yards are common off a good rest
[Linked Image]

Last edited by 340mag; 08/19/14.
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For my traditional MZ, I use 100 grs of FF, behind a maxi ball or maxi hunter. A couple of elk and deer have been taken with this combo.

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Originally Posted by 340mag
Originally Posted by starsky
You couldn't pay me to run a Powerbelt into an elk. Pass the solid lead...


I,ll freely admit Ive never used a 50 cal front loader on elk, Ive always used my 58 cal or 62 cal, but a maxi ball over 100 grains of 2F seemed to work well every time so far, and in my two hawken style rifles groups under 2.5" at 100 yards are common off a good rest
[Linked Image]


That'll do it laugh I'm not a fan of expandable bullets out of muzzleloaders at all.

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Ok, I'll bite and keep this thread alive. .

You have to find the best bullet for your tasks. I am no muzzle loader expert - I have ONE and have used it to take a big bull elk. I was in Utah, where we were limited to 1X scopes. I put in for a bull tag in a unit where I figured that I would hunt at least 5 yrs sooner if I used a muzzleloader. After 14 yrs I got the tag! I had to buy a muzzleloader - found someone selling Remington ML (not the 700) for $225. Figured I couldn't go wrong - if it didn't shoot I could move it. But, since I had to have bases and rings, I slapped a 3-9 on the rifle. Then I tried different bullets and charges, using pyrodex pellets. (keep it simple for me!) I found that the Barnes bullets shot into 1.5 inches at 100 yds with 2 pellets. With 3 lumps, the groups expanded to just under 2", but I got 3-400 more fps, which makes ranging less important. I tried Hornadays 2.25" and powerbelts >2.5" and some others I can't remember. Now, when I put the 1" scope on the crosshairs subtended 3" at 100 yds, and groups opened up to 3". I couldn't tell the difference between barnes and Hornadays. . Hmm. I practiced with the Hornadays - as they were half the price of the Barnes. I shot from prone, over a pack, sitting, off sticks, and even a few off hand rounds. I shot > 250 rounds in practice. I could keep all my bullets in a paper plate at 300 yds, with a wee bit of holdover ( well maybe not so wee!) When I went to hunt, I zeroed the ml with the Barnes bullet. In the system - I did not want to be the weakest link, nor did I want the bullet to be the weak link. I think the scope and the range are the most important variables in the system.

On the hunt, I finally saw a big bull, about to crest a ridge and move out of sight. When my guide called him a big bull, I shot sitting from the sticks. As I reloaded, he asked how I felt the shot was. I said it was good. He said that as I broke the trigger, the bull took a step. I asked him the range, and he pulled out the range finder and came up with 110 yds. I said that I was 3" high at 100, so if the animal moved he was probably hit in the liver. We waited half an hour, and then found that he had only gone 40 yds. He was still breathing, so I emptied the rifle into him to finish him. Recoverd both 250 gr Barnes bullets on the off side just under the hide. Both had mushroomed perfectly and had retained essentially 100% weight. What more can you ask for?

Result: https://flic.kr/p/oBfay3

Evaluate your rifle with the constraints applied in where you will hunt. Try different bullets in your conditions. Remember, the price of practice is much cheaper than the price of success (= taxidermy! ;-) )

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Well thanks for all of the suggestions. I called Thor Bullets today and they were very helpful. I am getting a sample pack of all their sizes mailed to me and going to work with them on which one might work with what I have(provided it's accurate with their bullets)

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Barnes or No excuse.

I'm pouring my own 440gr WFN bullets with a 500 S&W mould now and really like them, as I can make them a little tougher than the NE.

I wouldnt take powerbelts to a goat shoot.

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Originally Posted by forpest
Ok, I'll bite and keep this thread alive. .

You have to find the best bullet for your tasks. I am no muzzle loader expert - I have ONE and have used it to take a big bull elk. I was in Utah, where we were limited to 1X scopes. I put in for a bull tag in a unit where I figured that I would hunt at least 5 yrs sooner if I used a muzzleloader. After 14 yrs I got the tag! I had to buy a muzzleloader - found someone selling Remington ML (not the 700) for $225. Figured I couldn't go wrong - if it didn't shoot I could move it. But, since I had to have bases and rings, I slapped a 3-9 on the rifle. Then I tried different bullets and charges, using pyrodex pellets. (keep it simple for me!) I found that the Barnes bullets shot into 1.5 inches at 100 yds with 2 pellets. With 3 lumps, the groups expanded to just under 2", but I got 3-400 more fps, which makes ranging less important. I tried Hornadays 2.25" and powerbelts >2.5" and some others I can't remember. Now, when I put the 1" scope on the crosshairs subtended 3" at 100 yds, and groups opened up to 3". I couldn't tell the difference between barnes and Hornadays. . Hmm. I practiced with the Hornadays - as they were half the price of the Barnes. I shot from prone, over a pack, sitting, off sticks, and even a few off hand rounds. I shot > 250 rounds in practice. I could keep all my bullets in a paper plate at 300 yds, with a wee bit of holdover ( well maybe not so wee!) When I went to hunt, I zeroed the ml with the Barnes bullet. In the system - I did not want to be the weakest link, nor did I want the bullet to be the weak link. I think the scope and the range are the most important variables in the system.

On the hunt, I finally saw a big bull, about to crest a ridge and move out of sight. When my guide called him a big bull, I shot sitting from the sticks. As I reloaded, he asked how I felt the shot was. I said it was good. He said that as I broke the trigger, the bull took a step. I asked him the range, and he pulled out the range finder and came up with 110 yds. I said that I was 3" high at 100, so if the animal moved he was probably hit in the liver. We waited half an hour, and then found that he had only gone 40 yds. He was still breathing, so I emptied the rifle into him to finish him. Recoverd both 250 gr Barnes bullets on the off side just under the hide. Both had mushroomed perfectly and had retained essentially 100% weight. What more can you ask for?

Result: https://flic.kr/p/oBfay3

Evaluate your rifle with the constraints applied in where you will hunt. Try different bullets in your conditions. Remember, the price of practice is much cheaper than the price of success (= taxidermy! ;-) )


That's a nice looking elk you've got there. One day, I hope I'll have a similar trophy photo.

Do you remember specifically what kind of Barnes bullet you were using? Also, do you remember what velocity you were getting out of your particular load? I'm using 250gr Spitfire T-EZs right now, and I'm also getting about 1.5" groups at 100 yards with them.

I'm pretty happy with the results I'm getting accuracy wise right now. Also, it sounds like the Barnes bullets will consistently penetrate deeply enough to get the job done on large game as long as I do my part.


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Wondering what you guys think of the Lee REALs for elk. My old New Englander shoots pretty good with my home cast 250s and 80gr equiv. 777. Not that it is a very good test but in my target butt of ag lime (ground limestone) they penetrate just about as far from 50 yards as the 165TTSXs from my 308 at 100. The ones I've dug out flatten out to better than quarter size, bound to do some damage.

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