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Muzzleloading Elk

rrfhunterrrfhunter Member Posts: 187 ✭✭✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
Is .50 appropriate for Elk or is something larger called for?

....I never met a gun I didn't like!
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Comments

  • D@DD@D Member Posts: 4,407
    edited November -1
    A 50cal would do fine most I know use 54cal.
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  • Ronald J. SnowRonald J. Snow Member Posts: 1,346 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I cannot see why not as long as you use the proper bullet, keep the distance reasonable and place the bullet where it will do the most good. Several hunters I know have shot moose with their 50 caliber muzzleloaders.
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  • tetoncountytetoncounty Member Posts: 40 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own a traditional .50 cal muzzleloader. I have killed three elk with it. Range was 70 yds. or less. used minies in 275-350 range. this weapon is quite accurate at this range and easy to shoot offhand with set trigger. shots were lung or neck, and resulted in instant kills. power seems to compare favorably with 30.06, which I've used on perhaps 2 dozen elk and moose.most hunting I do is black timber, short range.many states have special muzzleloader seasons, so it's a great way to get more time in the woods. Wyoming doesn't have special muzzleloader seasons for the most part, and my main interest is archery. when I don't fill my tag during bow season I still pick up the muzzleloder because of the challenge-short range and one shot.the power and accuracy is there with the .50
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.comcaptkirk3@dslextreme.com Member Posts: 3,804
    edited November -1
    Go for the Big .54......

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • rrfhunterrrfhunter Member Posts: 187 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks guys. The reason I ask is that I'm going to take up muzzleloading but California doesn't have a separate deer season, so it will be strictly for early elk season in Colorado. It seems like the vast majority of guns/sabots,etc are .50 but are sabots and such available for .54?

    ....I never met a gun I didn't like!
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  • SnellstromSnellstrom Member Posts: 1,085 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Try looking on the Cabela's website for all sizes of Sabots and bullets, they have about everything you could need. In Colorado sabots are not legal so we just use round balls or mini's, maxi's or buffalo bullets. You can look in the archives and there are lengthy discussions about 50 vs 54 for elk. They are both very effective so both see a lot of use on elk here.
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