Elk bullet

[luke5678]

What is be best bullet for long range muzzleloading? Say out to 300 yards. I am going on elk hunt this fall if I draw the tag? Looking for high BC, and retained energy/velocity? Precision muzz. Bullets have high bc but looks to be lead bullet. TMZ, harvester scorpion?

Thanks

 

[ENCORE]

What is be best bullet for long range muzzleloading? Say out to 300 yards. I am going on elk hunt this fall if I draw the tag? Looking for high BC, and retained energy/velocity? Precision muzz. Bullets have high bc but looks to be lead bullet. TMZ, harvester scorpion?

Thanks

If you can hunt with a saboted bullet, I'd probably go for the 290gr TMZ but, I'd be hesitant on a 300yd shot myself. I'm good to 250yds for deer with the 250gr TMZ, but that's my limit. I've shot a number of deer to 200yds and just over with the 250gr TMZ and always had a complete pass through. But.... I've always made sure that it was the perfect situation too. Broadside and unaware.

The 290gr would be my choice for elk, with the higher BC and energy. Lots of long range practice. Good luck!

 

[LarryBud]

The 290 Barnes is a fine choice, however, 300 yards with a muzzy is a long, long shot.

The drop will be significant and you're losing energy fast at that range. You not only need to hit your target but you'll need to pack a punch.

I would set my expectations much lower. You can run the ballistics calculations for you bullet and load of choice and practice, practice, practice.

Or, sneak up to the next ridge and shoot'em at 100 yards without worry.

 

[ENCORE]

Depending on the rifle and load, if you can bump up the velocity to around 2,100fps, I believe the 290gr TMZ will give you about 1,145 fpe at 300yds and a velocity of around 1,300 fps. I ran it through a ballistics program, with a 150yd zero, the drop at 200 is about 5" but, at 300yds it indicates 26".

I've never had the privilege of hunting elk and have no idea what the recommended FPE should be, to gain significant penetration or a pass through. Some of the elk hunters should know or chime in. I believe Barnes indicates that the TMZ bullet will expand reliably down to 1,100 fps.

Research and practice.....

 

[dirtball]

A lot depends on which state you are talking about, Colorado-NO sabots, Idaho-lead bullets only, etc.

Dave

Muzzleloader Regulations

 

[luke5678]

Thanks for info. It's new Mexico. I will focus on 250 and under. Appreciate the input.

 

[LarryBud]

Thanks for info. It's new Mexico. I will focus on 250 and under. Appreciate the input.

I hope you get the tag. Once you do, hit the range and be ready for a hunt of lifetime.

Good Luck.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Question for the OP---Have you ever hunted or shot an elk with anything before? If you haven't, a big bull takes one heck of a poke and conventional wisdom says to hit him with close to 1500ft/lbs of energy at POI for good penetration with the correct bullet to obtain a humane kill.

 

[Woodycreek]

Take a look at Parker bullets. I use the 250 Jacketed Ballistic Extremes in my Encore. They shoot .75" at 100 yards and shoot well in some of my buddies omega rifles. Longest shoot to date was 172 yards on a whitetail buck. I plan on trying some Parker's 275s.

Product Listing - Match_Hunter

 

[Buckums]

i'm going to renew this thread since its been a few years... and i'm heading to New Mexico on a muzzleloader elk hunt this fall. i have never hunted elk before (impossible tag to draw in Arkansas) but have been advised to be able to shoot 300 yards. Seems like a stretch with a smoke pole but going to give it my best shot with lots of practice, etc. I've been hunting deer with a muzzleloader for almost 30 years but never elk. I just ordered a remington UM which should be here in a few days.. along with a louepold ultimate slam 3x9. after reading a lot of reviews...especially Randy Wakeman's writeups are great... i am convinced that BH209 will be used... but i'm not sure what would be the best bullet for long range elk with a muzzleloader. most of the discussions have been around long range target or whitetail loads. would love to get you guys opinion.

 

[ENCORE]

i'm going to renew this thread since its been a few years... and i'm heading to New Mexico on a muzzleloader elk hunt this fall. i have never hunted elk before (impossible tag to draw in Arkansas) but have been advised to be able to shoot 300 yards. Seems like a stretch with a smoke pole but going to give it my best shot with lots of practice, etc. I've been hunting deer with a muzzleloader for almost 30 years but never elk. I just ordered a remington UM which should be here in a few days.. along with a louepold ultimate slam 3x9. after reading a lot of reviews...especially Randy Wakeman's writeups are great... i am convinced that BH209 will be used... but i'm not sure what would be the best bullet for long range elk with a muzzleloader. most of the discussions have been around long range target or whitetail loads. would love to get you guys opinion.

If it were me..... my choice would be a 290gr Barnes T-EZ. You need the bullet weight/energy/dependability at 300yds. I'd stick with the 290 to 300gr bullets myself.

IMO...... take many of the write-ups lightly. RW has never shot a RU beyond 100yds to my knowledge and, he's been called him out on that. However I do have a contact with a RU that is shooting MOA at 300yds using Barnes bullets. He's also shooting BH but, you have to be careful about the number of times you re-prime the brass. He's cutting down his own .308 brass, reaming the interior.

Please post your shooting results and long range targets.......

 

[Buckums]

do you know specifically what Barns bullets your contact is using in the UM? And yes.. i will be posting up pics as i go. the Parkers are apparently very good but the Match/Hunter would get very expensive very quick. i would like to find a bullet i can shoot and shoot a lot without having to take out a second mortgage on my house. thanks for the feedback.

 

[ENCORE]

do you know specifically what Barns bullets your contact is using in the UM? And yes.. i will be posting up pics as i go. the Parkers are apparently very good but the Match/Hunter would get very expensive very quick. i would like to find a bullet i can shoot and shoot a lot without having to take out a second mortgage on my house. thanks for the feedback.

A quote from one of our PM's...........

"Parker 327 Match Hunters, 2270 fps with 100 grains Blackhorn 209 by weight."

Before I shot Match Hunters, I'd talk to Bob Parker. The MH are designed for much more speed that you or I can attain. They're ok on paper or steel at the speeds the RU may have but, not on game. If you didn't want to hunt with Barnes, then try the Parker Ballistic Extreme 300gr.

I've talked at length with Bob about shooting his bullets out of my Ultimate BP Xpress, shooting 180grs. Bob was very clear..... don't shoot the MH while hunting, as I would never get the speed for the bullet to expand properly. His recommendation was the BE 300gr.

Save your money for other necessities. You'll need plenty of primer carriers, which from what I understand are not cheap.

 

[Buckums]

That is all very helpful. I am going to order the barns and hit the bench. Will report....