Elk Black powder Questions.

[justhuntitall]

Hey all.

I have been hunting elk every year since 1996 with a bow and have killed a few. For some reason I would like to try to go during black powder season I hunt Co. and the no optic rule really has me set back.

What do you guys use for sights and what kind of max range can you achieve?

Thanks

Shane

[dprsdhunter]

I just use the factory sights that came on my gun.
I have not shot any thing farther than 75 yards with it though. If it helps-I have open sights on my slug gun and have killed deer at over 100 yards.
Arnt Colorado muzzleloader elk tags tough to draw?? Thought I had read where you need to apply a few years for preferance points before you can be lucky enough to draw a tag. I could be wrong ,

[txhunter58]

Watch out, blackpowder hunting is as addicting as bowhunting. I now have 4 blackpowder rifles!

In Colorado, you have to use loose powder, conicals (no sabots) and open sights. I have a front fiberoptic bead and a rear Williams peep sight with what they call a hunting "twilight" peep. Larger than a target peep and easier to see through in low light. I also use what is called the "6 o'clock hold" which means you set the bulleye on TOP of the front bead instead of covering the bull. Made me go from 5 inches to 3 inches at 100 yards. My son, with better eyes, can go 2 inches on a good calm day.

My comfort zone maxes out at about 120 yards, but would take up to a 150 yard shot in the right conditions with rock solid rests and no wind. That was a long time in coming. The first couple of years, I did not feel comfortable past 80, then I stretched it out to 100 and slowly beyond. I don't think I would ever feel comfotable past 150 with open sights.

Just think of the times when a bull was just out of bow range and what that extra 60 or so yards could mean............

[justhuntitall]

Originally Posted by txhunter58

Just think of the times when a bull was just out of bow range and what that extra 60 or so yards could mean............

Every year I have gone I could have killed a bull with black powder and this year had 2 bulls over 300" I could of had a 80 yard shot at.

We stay out about 2 weeks and it starts to get good when we leave the Friday before black powder seasons starts.

Going to try to draw tag this coming year if I dont get one I will just bow hunt again and might try to bow hunt during black powder season and see how much more the bulls are fired up.

[charlie brown]

I have now taken two elk with a muzzle loader. I have a Traditions Pursuit and have the original front sight and a Knight rear sight on it. The first elk I took in 05 with a CVA Bobcat, and can't remember the sight set up, but it was about 75 yards. This one was 95. I am comfortable to about 125.

[Talondale]

I've used a CVA sidelock percussion BP rifle with open sights and ball and have good groups at 100 yards with a rest. Finding the combination that works for your gun is important. Try splitting the seasons; one week bow and the first week blackpowder.

[rather_be_huntin]

Factory open sights for me and I am comfortable at about 125. The big thing, IMO, is that you get sights with the fiberoptics that glow. This is a big deal to me and makes the gun much easier to aim in certain conditions.

[Water Swatter]

And don't forget the left over licenses that come out in August, if you have a bull tag through the draw it is always a good thing to have a cow tag along just incase

[justhuntitall]

Originally Posted by Talondale

I've used a CVA sidelock percussion BP rifle with open sights and ball and have good groups at 100 yards with a rest. Finding the combination that works for your gun is important. Try splitting the seasons; one week bow and the first week blackpowder.

My hats off to ya I dont think I have the patience for that set up and splitting seasons sounds like a great Idea !

Thanks to all of ya some real good in site thats why I stick around here because of guys like you and your willing to share your experience .

Thanks
Shanne

[txhunter58]

Do you have any preference points?