I plan on using my .54 side lock for my NM elk hunt, but having never been there before I plan on taking a scoped rifle just in case it looks like shots may be past 100 yds. I just feel more confident with a scoped rifle at longer distances. The gun will be a scoped .50 knight Bighorn and max charge will be around 100 grains. I already have plenty of bullets that shoot good for deer hunting but wonder if they will hold up for elk. The bullets I have Hornady 300 gr XTP, Hornady SST 250 gr, 300 gr Saber Tooth, and some Nosler 300 gr. .429 shots bullets. Do you guys believe any of these would work or should I buy a different bullet and work up another load? Thanks guys

I have only hunted elk in NM one time. So I am no expert. However we have hunted elk in a few other states with a MZ.

NM is wide open country. I shot my bull at 145 yards, and I used open sights, with no problem. But I guess it just depends on how much time you can spend at the practice range. I have no problem with open sights at 200 yards or farther, but I do shoot alot. If you feel the need for a scope in order to be more consistent. Then by all means get a good quality scope. Nothing wrong with that.

Personally I like a larger conical for elk. But that is just a preference. A 300 grain Nosler bullet would work just fine. Just run it as hot as you can, and still be effective with accuracy, and recoil(if recoil is an issue).

I do not think the gun you choose. Or the bullet you choose. Or the caliber you choose is important. What I think is important is that you are completely proficient with whatever you decide to use.

I went on a guided private land hunt in NM. There were three camps with 7 hunters in each camp. Each camp was over 40,000 acres. We all met as base camp, and the guides had everyone(21 hunters) shoot their rifles. One guy actually showed up with a rifle and scope that he bought the day before. The scope was mounted by the counter person. I could not believe how unprepared the hunters were. The funny thing was this guy said his rifle was fine, the counter person had bore sighted it for him.

Almost 1/2 the guys could not even hit the target at 100 yards with their first shot. I was laughing so hard I thought one of the guides was going to punch me in the nose. The guides were really frustrated.

I was the only hunter with open sights. All other hunters had scopes. The guides spent three or four hours with these idiots. And three of the guides went to another shooting table with several hunters who were just shooting all over the place.

When I set my rifle on the shooting bench I got a look of disgust from the guide. He could not believe I did not have a scope. So I just giggled under my breath and loaded my rifle. Then I took my shot and got up from the table and started cleaning my rifle(without looking at my shot). The guide told me to wait before I cleaned my rifle. He wanted to check the shot. I told him no need to check the shot, it felt good. He smirked. Then he went out and brought the target back. The bullet was exactly 2 inches high, and cut the line. I then smirked at him and said I was off a bit. It should have been three inches high.

He looked at me and laughed. He said man I have got the place for you. I saw 10 legal bulls in one day. He put me in a real honey hole because he knew I could shot. And that is what all this rambling was about. Just be able to shoot(with accuracy) what ever you decide to hunt with.

It was the best hunt of my entire life. And I have a nice 5X5 bull to look at for the rest of my life.

My rifle and load was a Knight MK85 with musket cap ignition. I shot 120 grains of 3F BP and a 525 grain pure lead conical that I cast from lead I got from a church. So how could I miss?? I had "holy lead" Tom.

caplock

I do not hunt NM, but I do hunt Idaho...

.458/300 grain Nosler Partition PP...



Here is the bullet....



But... to be honest i am switching bullets this year, actually last year... I an shooting a .458/277gr. Lehigh or maybe the .458/300 grain Lehigh...

Shots Nosler bullets is something i have never heard of, but if 'shots' is an acronym for sporting handgun bullets, what i would do is pick up some of these Nosler Partitions from Wideners. The price is right, and they should shoot about the same as your 'shots' Noslers. Myself, i would trust the partitions on a big Elk, or a small Elk, but have no idea how them 'shots' bullets would perform. The partition would definitely be better for Elk than either an xtp, or an sts. However, the xtp sure works good on deer. The Sabre Tooth i know nothing about.

I would not try going through the shoulder with any of those but a well placed broadside shot especally with the XTP or the Nosler will do the job.
The best advice already given by Ron. if it is feasable get some partition Nosler, A frame or Lehigh 300 gr.

Ron

Nosler 'Shots' are partitions but packaged with a sabot.

........Barnes........

Now i am even more confused. To my knowledge there never was a .429 Nosler 300g Partition. Was there??

http://www.gobles.ca/NOSLER/NoslerBullets.html
This is the listing of Nosler bullets, the shots are listed separately but in the muzzle loading group. I did not think they were partition bullets but it could be I guess the way they are listed leaves a question.

First off... I have NO experience hunting elk with a muzzleloader. My one time was with a 7mm Remington Mag. BUT if I had to head out tomorrow it would be with a Barnes MZ Expander in 300 grain or a Nosler Partition on 300 grain.

The other way I would go is with one of my White rifles shooting a 460 or 500 grain Bull Shop conical bullet with 90 grains of powder under it.

The others you listed I am sure would get the job done. But as we all know, bullet placement is most important. But those would be my choices. I base this on a LOT of range time with different bullets, and the hunting reports of some very respected forum members here. If they say they work, I would take that to the bank.

On a side note... if the person hunting with me (I normally only take guided hunts so they can do all the work, and increase my odds) told me that the shots would be close and quick, I would take a .58 caliber GMB and load 110 grains of 2f black powder and a .570 roundball. Not the fastest projectile in the wood but I know it would get the job done. Also a .54 caliber roundball is no slouch when it comes to taking game as well.