what muzzleload rifle for elk
02-26-2003, 11:42 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,092
RE: what muzzleload rifle for elk
It must not be capable of being loaded from the breech of the barrel.
It may not be loaded with any prepared paper or metallic cartridges.
It must be charged with black powder, pyrodex, or an equivalent.
It must be ignited by a percussion, flintlock, matchlock, or wheelock mechanism.
It must be a minimum of .45 caliber.
It may have no more than 2 barrels.
It must use lead projectiles only, no sabots.
Those are excerpts from Montana regulations defining requirements. Might help narrow your choices. The Encore would be great if you get a good one that LIKES CONICALS and if it is considered percussion (I think it is but what does that matter?) in Montana. A White Model 98 Elite Hunter in .45 or .50 would be awfully hard to beat and they love big conicals.
It may not be loaded with any prepared paper or metallic cartridges.
It must be charged with black powder, pyrodex, or an equivalent.
It must be ignited by a percussion, flintlock, matchlock, or wheelock mechanism.
It must be a minimum of .45 caliber.
It may have no more than 2 barrels.
It must use lead projectiles only, no sabots.
Those are excerpts from Montana regulations defining requirements. Might help narrow your choices. The Encore would be great if you get a good one that LIKES CONICALS and if it is considered percussion (I think it is but what does that matter?) in Montana. A White Model 98 Elite Hunter in .45 or .50 would be awfully hard to beat and they love big conicals.
03-03-2003, 05:59 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Nowhere
Posts: 262
RE: what muzzleload rifle for elk
Whatever you use I would recommend shooting it alot before you go 1800 miles to hunt. I personally would use my 58 with roundballs. A 50 or 54 with bullets should get mr. Elk tranquilized too. Good luck.
03-03-2003, 09:03 PM
#7
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
RE: what muzzleload rifle for elk
I would choose a .54 caliber or bigger. If conicals are legal, then it would be something around a 426 grain with at least 90 grains of Pyrodex or more. My Renegade is .54 caliber and shoots a 426 grain Buffalo Bullet with 110 grains real well. You know you shot it, but it is an accurate hard hitting load. As the others said, practice, practice and then when you get real good do some off hand shooting at different distances to make sure you can judge well. Good luck on your hunt, and I will be looking forward to hearing how you have done......
04-04-2003, 12:01 AM
#9
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wall SD USA & Jamestown ND
Posts: 11,474
RE: what muzzleload rifle for elk
Fifty caliber with sabots if leagal and Hornady great Plains bullets if sabots are not legal. Thats the combo that the Elk guide in New Mexico recommended to me.