Big Bore Elk?
 

Any big bore fans out there, shooting elk with round balls? I have a .72cal. underhammer that I am hoping to blast an elk with. I bought a 27" tapered Orion barrel, 1 1/8 to 1". This gun is a toater, not a shooter! Sort of a sissy gun, aluminum receiver and a recoil pad! 7lbs. 6ozs................I asked Jerry at Orion, how much powder were the Boy's using in their 72's, and His answer was, "Its whatever you can stand" most were starting at 175 and going upto 225 grains of FF. But what ever you can take!!!!!!!!!!

Shot a doe at 20yds. this year. 560 grain ball with 200 grains of FF. Big Blast, Bigg Blastt!!

Just wondering about the expansion of soft lead, will that big ball pass thru an elk? Or should I use a harder, smaller ball .710 dia.

I remember reading about a big bore African hunt with a 6 or 8 ga.and penetration was poor, due to the soft lead expanding! Any thoughts?............................Bruce

RE: Big Bore Elk?
 

Sounds like one heck of a rifle you got there. It would be a lot of fun to shoot it. As for the roundball expansion, yes it will. Especially if you hit bone because you are pushing it with a lot of powder. What you might want to do instead of going to a smaller harder ball, get some round balls, the size that shoot the best in your rifle, and cast or have them casted with a higher BHN. They are still going to expand a little but not as much. You might also get some defelection with the roundball. I shot a doe this year with my .54 caliber and after smashing her rib behind the front shoulder, it then followed that rib up and took a perfect chunk out of her spine.

All in all it sounds like an exciting hunt and a great experience and test for your rifle. Good Luck