That looks ptretty good to me. I did a similar water jug test last year with the 200 Shockwave and got similar results. I went on to take 2 deer with the Shockwaves with very good expansion and penetration. For deer-sized game I prefer a "softer" bullet that expands well. If I was hunting larger game, I might prefer a bit more penetraion.

Hopefully, i will be able to write of my success using these bullet, this upcoming hunting season

Muley no .250-.260 bullet in a muzzleloader is a good choice for big tough elk size animals.you need to step up into the 300 gr class, especially when using a M/L. even when using a center fire i always used heavier lead in my rifle when elk hunting VS deer hunting. it's a matter of much more body mass. Ray

A 250 gr Thor will take elk all day.

Even though i'll be using a 300gr Thor for elk. It's because it fits my barrel better.


You know in CF a 250 gr bullet is more than enough. I don't have to tell you that. 30-06 180 gr has taken more elk than we can count. I won't mention how many elk have been taken with a 30-30. Oops! I mentioned it. :)

Blow a hole in the lungs, and you have a dead elk. Guys who try to take shots that are too long are the ones who think they need bigger guns/bullets. Don't mean you, but in general.

If both the 250g & the 300g Thor worked equally well in your rifle, which would you choose to use for hunting elk?

I was just talking to Terry last night about that. I wanted to use the lighter recoiling, flatter shooting 250 gr, but i'd have to force down a .502 to do it. Terry didn't recommend that, but did agree that the 250 gr is plenty for elk.

So, i'd use the 250gr if I could.

I do keep my range to 125 yds. So, I have plenty of fpe with either bullet.

I know you're from the big bullet school Ron. I might be too if I was younger, but my bum shoulder limits me to reasonable recoil.

The .250 would be a poor choice! heavier is much better for elk! Ray

A PRB might be a poor choice, but it's still killed a lot of elk.

A 250 gr Thor with 110 gr of BH 209 is hardly a poor choice at 100 yds. Look at the ballistics.

Yep and so is jumping off a bridge! you want to jump?:wave: nuff said.

Holy jumping jimimey! We agree on something:cool2:

Not neccessarily a 'poor choice' but the fact that more importantly there are better choices available.

I have often thought and still do think if I were hunting with a Nosler .451-260 grain Partition, that was the bullet that I used for deer hunting and I ran into an elk what would I do?

I made this decision, if the animal was under a 100 and offered the 'good shot' i would go ahead and make the shot. I have a lot of confidence in the ability of the Nosler, Barnes, and Lehigh to penetrate and with the energy that bullet would have i felt comfortable with that decision.

Of course a head shot moots the whole point... shoot the Native Americans in Alaska use 22's but I admit they are better than I...