Hi everyone my name is Brett and Im new to the forum from Florida. I have a hunt coming up for Sambar deer which is an elk sized critter and I have to use a muzzleloader. My question is I already have a .45 cal. inline and wanted some ideas for loads and rounds that would do the job on such a big animal, or if it's even feasible. Thank for any help.

Here's an opinion from someone with experience limited to whitetails.

I would not hesitate to use a .45 caliber inline for a big deer like that, but only if I were shooting Barnes Expanders over a pretty hot charge.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/product...expander-mz-2/

My 409 gr paper patched RCBS 11mm rifle bullets over 80 gr of pyrodex P and an over powder wad would do it easy. Ron

Sambar are similar to elk, maybe not in height but they are a very muscular deer and take a lot of putting down. I'd advise going for the neck shot if you can. Here in aus they are our main deer and have been known to run a couple hundred of metres with a heart and lung shot. Often under 100 m though.

Best of luck

jp

They are about the same body size as a mule deer. I don't see them as being any tougher than a Mule deer. My load lays the law down on Mule deer. Ron

I had to look them up. I didn't know what they were for sure. They can get up to 1200lbs. That would be like a Roosevelt Elk, and bigger than our Rocky Mountain Elk.

I'd use a big bullet.

How about a 460 grain .450 No Excuse? Push it with with 90+ grains of powder and it should get the job done.

It's an option.

I guess it depends where you are but in australia they are much bigger than a muley. The average for a male is around 350kgs so a bit over 750lbs but as muleyhunter said big boys get over the 500kg mark so up around 1200lbs.

On dark a mature sambar can look like an angus cow in body size. They are technically classed as the 3rd biggest deer in the world behind elk and moose, followed by red deer at number four.

You should also check your state requirements - most states will not allow a 45 cal on large big game.

A 460 gr bullshop or no excuse will do it no problem.