i am wanting to hunt elk in col and i was wondering if i need to have a .50 caliber or could i go with a .45? i am waiting to hear so i can buy the right one, i think though no mater what i will go with the .50 just because of the nock down power that is has over the .45. and what does everybody that hunts elk use? thanks for all the help. who_else

I am from AZ but will be moving to colo in Oct. I had Colo game and fish send me the regs. You cannot hunt elk in colo with a .45 cal muzzleloader it must be .50 cal or bigger for elk and moose. but you can ues a .45 for deer and antelope. You cannot use a sabot it must be a conical or round ball. you can use an inline but not use pellets. you cannot use a scope it must be open sights only. Hope this helps you out.

that is everything that i needed to know, thanks, who_else

Azmzloader I was not aware that Colorado was had those requirements. Some friends and I have talked about going Elk hunting there or Wyoming. If I were restricted to powder, and conicals, I am real glad I have a .54 caliber. Not that a .50 caliber will not do the job. I just like the extra power the .54 caliber has. As for Who_else... good luck with your hunt.

cayugad I use a .50 cal CVA timberwolf sidelock with 1:32 twist. I have taken 8 elk here in Az 5 cows 3 bulls using this gun. I am shooting 100 grains of pyrodex and a 245 grain ballet from bufflo bullet company. None of the elk have gone more than 30 yards after being hit. and the longest shot being right at 100 yards ( I had a scope on the gun at that time) but like you said a .54 has a little more punch. I also sent an email to colo game and fish to see if the powerbelts are allowed. Powerbelt advertise that they are but I just want to make sure since I will be moving up there in oct. after our elk hunt here in Az sept 26. good luck

Yes, Powerbelts are legal in Colorado. I e-mailed the Div of Wildlife and got a response back that they are legal. Again, no scope and must be loose powder.

One week from tonight I leave for Colorado with smokepole in hand chasing elk and mulies!!! The ONLY downfall to this, is that I will miss opening day of bow season for whitetails....nawwwww, no big deal the more I think about it!!!!! :-) :-)

Thanks on the powerbelt queistion. I just got my email back with the same answer. good luck on your hunt.