Very new to the muzzleloader world. I’m planing an Elk hunt in Colo the fall of 2025. Debating which would be the better load in my 50 cal TC encore…… a 300 grain copper bullet, or a 420 grain lead conical. Any thoughts on this?
Thx
G
Thx
G
Never hunted elk, I would guess, a 420 lead conical as fast and accurate as I could push it. Something where pentration is measured in feet than in inches. Just my penny's worth.Very new to the muzzleloader world. I’m planing an Elk hunt in Colo the fall of 2025. Debating which would be the better load in my 50 cal TC encore…… a 300 grain copper bullet, or a 420 grain lead conical. Any thoughts on this?
Thx
G
While light and fast does work well, you cant use a sabot in Colorado. So heavy and slow is the plan.Everyone acts like elk are made of steel or something? I've used a 300 grain xtp or harvester white lightning to kill several bulls ranging in distance from 150 to almost 300 yards. Pushed to around 1900-1950 fps and your good to go.
I don’t believe anyone is acting like elk or made a steel. Not sure where you coming up with that. The OP was asking about advice about hunting elk with a muzzleloader using copper versus heavy lead conicals . Everybody is giving their experience and thoughts. I have killed elk with a 130 grain copper bullet from a 270 that was flying about 3200 ft./s and I have also killed elk with my muzzleloader with a 460 grain conical going about 1400 ft./s from the muzzle . Both worked just fine. there are several ways to skin a cat. Light and fast or slow and heavy. Everybody has a different way they want to do things.Everyone acts like elk are made of steel or something? I've used a 300 grain xtp or harvester white lightning to kill several bulls ranging in distance from 150 to almost 300 yards. Pushed to around 1900-1950 fps and your good to go.
I'm not using a sabot in my .45 either, and 1900 fps isn't exactly what I'd call fast. I'm just saying you don't have to shoot a 4-500 grain bullet to kill with a muzzleloader.While light and fast does work well, you cant use a sabot in Colorado. So heavy and slow is the plan.
Just noticed a lot of heavy bullet recommendations coming in and something I see alot of folks saying you need heavy bullets for elk. It's simply not so, nothing wrong with heavy either, use what you like and what shoots best for you and your rifle. Just my experienceI don’t believe anyone is acting like elk or made a steel. Not sure where you coming up with that. The OP was asking about advice about hunting elk with a muzzleloader using copper versus heavy lead conicals . Everybody is giving their experience and thoughts. I have killed elk with a 130 grain copper bullet from a 270 that was flying about 3200 ft./s and I have also killed elk with my muzzleloader with a 460 grain conical going about 1400 ft./s from the muzzle . Both worked just fine. there are several ways to skin a cat. Light and fast or slow and heavy. Everybody has a different way they want to do things.
50 caliber minimum in Colorado. I suppose you could shoot a 300 grain full core copper from Thor 1900 fps in a 50 as well and do just fine.I'm not using a sabot in my .45 either,
I've seen many Elk taken with the 300 Gr Thor & even a few Moose with the 250 Gr Thor. A friend's recovered 250 Gr Thor from his Moose weighed 247 Grains & Expanded just like Thor's Advertisement!The 300 gr Thor is a great choice and much less felt recoil than a 400-600 gr lead conical. On a CO muzzy hunt, depending on the unit, most shot opportunities should be within 150 yards, so any of the above will work. How far can you confidently shoot with open sights?
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