.50 caliber BP for Elk??
I'm interested in taking up Blackpowder rifle hunting for elk in Colorado. I'm a little hesitant to take up ANOTHER hobby. It seems like 90% of the black powder guns out there are .50 but is that adequate for Bull Elk or should I go for a .54(or larger)? What sort of set up do people recommend ie:bullets, sabots, guns, primers, etc. I don't think I'm tied to tradition. Is an inline rig strongly preferable? Any advice on what is legal/illegal in CO?
My main concern is being able to hunt an earlier season.
....I never met a gun I didn't like!
My main concern is being able to hunt an earlier season.
....I never met a gun I didn't like!
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Buy yourself a .50 bmg rifle and you need not worry about much...it can kill at 1000m...its word for real and you will...[V]
WordBorn!!0 -
In for dime...In for a Dollar.....50 will work out to 100 yards...and maybe get 50 more on a good day...But once you find a Good load for the 54 or 55 You'll find that 200 yards is the accepted Range... I've personally shot
Elk at 125 yards with a .50 Caliber Harper Half Stock Rifle, But have always had to do a bit of tracking to find the Kill...But never had to go looking for an Elk that was hit with a Big 54 at the same range..Something about a 250gr. Round ball at 1200fps when placed right stops them in thier tracks....In Muzzleloader Hunting big game...Bigger is Best...
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
What Kirk said. If you are hunting a cow the .50 will do the job, but use a full powder load and a heavy bullet like a Power Point. If you are planning to shoot round balls and not sabots or conicals, definately go with the .54. Good Hunting!
He Dog0 -
As the good "Capt." states ... 50 will get the job done, especially if you keep it under 100 yards. But 54 is better, even at the closer ranges ... just more "oommmpf".
As for bullet choices those will be dependent on what the BP regulations are in the area(s) you hunt. Several states have limitations to round ball and/or conical and iron sights. Other jurisdictions you can have the premium sabots and scopes. Heck some even have restrictions on the type of rifle (read no in-lines).
Me, if it were primarily Western Mulies and Elk I'd go w/ 54, then your set for those critters and someday if you want to add a Moose you've got plenty of caliber for that too.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
rrf - I used to hunt elk in Colorado with a 50 cal muzzleloader, percussion cap. At the time Im pretty sure inlines were illegal to use during the BP season there. At the time, I know the CDOW was in the process of changing the regs. and maybe an inline is now legal.. Like others have said I trusted it and sighted it in to take an elk at 100 yards, but wouldn't take anything further. 0 -
Colorado has some of the strictest and weirdest rules on muzzleloading for elk.
No scopes, no sabots. The bullet cannot be more than twice as long as the caliber. In other words, a .50 slug cannot be more than one inch long. I think 209 primers are prohibited, not sure on that one. Inlines are permitted, however.
So, to keep it simple, get a .54 and shoot patched round ball. I just read a story in the Winter 2003 issue of Blackpowder Hunting magazine where two guys killed buffalos with .54 patched round ball, using flintlock.0 -
Both 50 and 54 are adequate for elk, my brother has taken several with an in-line 50 and a Lyman great plains 50, I like the 54 just personal preference. Colorado does allow in-lines and 209 primers, no scopes, sabots, or pelletized powders. Also no electronic or battery assisted sights, fibre optic sights are okay unless battery powered. See the Colorado DOW website at Wildlife.state.co.us and follow the links to rules and regulations. 0
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