The .50 caliber is an easy choice. You are, if shooting a saboted projectile in a .50, already shooting a .45, .43, or .40 caliber projectile.

Perhaps the most overlooked way to extend the range of a muzzleloader is by using a high ballistic coefficient bullet. Less velocity is eroded by air resistance, and that means more energy on target. The differences at 200 yards can be stunning.

Consider a 240 grain .452 Hornady XTP, with a muzzle velocity of 1900 fps. That load has only 749 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy left at 200 yards-- below the humane minimum of 800 fpe for deer, much less elk.

Now, let' s look at a .376 BC Dead Center, 340 grain, pushed at a slower muzzle velocity of 1725 fps. At 200 yards, that bullet has 1483 ft lbs. of kinetic energy left, almost DOUBLE that of the faster XTP projectile. That load will take your elk if well placed-- by any standard. Using a 10" kill zone, this " slower" load has a MPBR of 213 yards.