.50 Caliber for Elk Hunting

[RugerHawg413]

I have killed elk with a 50 caliber muzzleloader as have my grandson and my wife with no issues. You should have no problem, just use a good bullet. Make sure you check the state regulations, as other have mentioned for caliber restrictions and what type of bullet you can use. Some states are very picky, Montana being one of them. No sabot's allowed in Montana. here is a little excerpt from our regs.

Muzzleloader (this definition is strictly
for the use of muzzloaders in weapons
restriction areas. See the Muzzleloader
Heritage Season Lawful Weapons
section on page 24 for information
regarding hunting during the Dec 11 -
19 heritage muzzloader season)
• Must not be capable of being loaded
from the breech of the barrel;
• May not be loaded with any prepared
paper or metallic cartridges;
• must be charged with black powder,
pyrodex, or an equivalent;
• Must be ignited by a percussion,
flintlock, matchlock, or wheelock
mechanism;
• Must be a minimum of .45 caliber;
• May have no more than two barrels;
• Must only use plain lead projectiles;
• Sabots or other similar power and
range-enhancing manufactured
loads that enclose the projectile from
the rifling or bore of the firearm are
prohibited. "Skirts" or gas checks on
the base of a projectile are acceptable.

Wow! Ok, great! Thank you for all the info and knowledge!!

 

[RugerHawg413]

Depending on the regs where you plan to hunt, the modern in-line muzzle loaders can be both accurate and powerful. Remington makes a M700 Ultimate Muzzle Loader that uses Blackhorn 209, a "smokeless black powder". I shoot a a 325 gr Pittman bulllet at 2325 ft/sec using a Fed 215 primer and Blackhorn 209 (Labrador measured). That's an ME of 3800 ft/lbs. This bullet has a G1 BC of 0.350. These can be amazingly accurate and can easily kill elk at a reasonable distance.

Recoil is ferocious! I put a T-Rex side-ported brake on mine. I have to go to the range by myself or do a makeshift range, because every time I fire the beast, a cloud of smoke belches forth (yeah, Blackhorn is not really smokeless) and the concussion wave blow the hats off of anyone nearby. It's considered a public nuisance. But what fun!

I put a Leupold VX5HD on it initially. The scope failed after about 80 rounds. First Leupold I've ever had fail on me. I've replaced it with a Nightforce. To Leupold's credit, they repaired the scope promptly, and it now lives on a 22-250.

Granted, this is a departure from the idea of using a primitive weapon. But with limited opportunities to draw a good elk tag these days, where these are legal they are a game changer.

A warning. Blackhorn 209 powder is vanishingly rare. With only 10 ozs per bottle, it disappears in a hurry. Make certain you have a supply nailed down before you spend the money on an expensive muzzleloader and scope.

Ok, great! Thank you for all the info!!

 

[RugerHawg413]

I've killed moose,bears, and deer with a 50 cal with a TC Encor, 209 Blackhorn powder, 250gr sabots. Center punched a bull moose and stood for about 30 seconds and fell over at 100 yards. Plenty for elk.

Thank you for the info!!

 

[ridgewalker]

I have a CVA Accura in 50 cal. Excellent rifle. Works fine for elk and simply hammers deer!
As mentioned previously find the right bullet and load for yours. Pyrodex and Blackhorn 209 have both worked well. With Blackhorn 209 you may need a different breech plug with a larger hole. Some do and some don't.

Best of luck with the new toy!

 

[RugerHawg413]

I have a CVA Accura in 50 cal. Excellent rifle. Works fine for elk and simply hammers deer!
As mentioned previously find the right bullet and load for yours. Pyrodex and Blackhorn 209 have both worked well. With Blackhorn 209 you may need a different breech plug with a larger hole. Some do and some don't.

Best of luck with the new toy!

Ok, great! Thank you!!

 

[22250imp]

Good Morning,
I am looking at buying a CVA Accura LR-X, .50 Caliber. I haven't hunted a lot with muzzleloaders but, was wanting to start to. I have a cheaper but not bad Thompson Center right now. My questions was going to be, is a .50 Caliber a good muzzleloader round for elk hunting? Thank you for all info and wisdom!!

Absolutely, the fifty is a good choice for elk as well as the CVA Accura line of rifles. Just be mindful when purchasing one, in Colorado and some other states, iron sights are required. No optics. There are several different Accura models available but in my experience they are very good shooters. A good combination is the Thor bullets and Blackhorn 209 powder. They are are a deadly combination.

 

[RugerHawg413]

Absolutely, the fifty is a good choice for elk as well as the CVA Accura line of rifles. Just be mindful when purchasing one, in Colorado and some other states, iron sights are required. No optics. There are several different Accura models available but in my experience they are very good shooters. A good combination is the Thor bullets and Blackhorn 209 powder. They are are a deadly combination.

Ok, awesome!! Thank you so much!!

 

[vedauvoo]

My first black powder elk was taken in Colorado 20 years ago. I used a Hawkins .54 caliber with a miniball and of course, iron sights. The ignition was with a small percussion cap placed over the nipple on the side of the chamber.

That hunt stands out as one of my most enjoyable and rewarding hunts. So I am ambivalent about modern in-line vs traditional black powder rifles for hunting. Utah is quite liberal in allowing in-line rifles with scope sights. I suspect there may be a move in the near future to impose restrictions like Colorado and Montana and re-create the intent of making it a primitive hunt opportunity.

I'm betting you find an affordable combination that works for you and is legal where you plan on hunting. It is great fun! Lots of helpful expertise here at LRH as well.

 

[RugerHawg413]

My first black powder elk was taken in Colorado 20 years ago. I used a Hawkins .54 caliber with a miniball and of course, iron sights. The ignition was with a small percussion cap placed over the nipple on the side of the chamber.

That hunt stands out as one of my most enjoyable and rewarding hunts. So I am ambivalent about modern in-line vs traditional black powder rifles for hunting. Utah is quite liberal in allowing in-line rifles with scope sights. I suspect there may be a move in the near future to impose restrictions like Colorado and Montana and re-create the intent of making it a primitive hunt opportunity.

I'm betting you find an affordable combination that works for you and is legal where you plan on hunting. It is great fun! Lots of helpful expertise here at LRH as well.

Ok, awesome!!! Thank you for all the info and knowledge!!

 

[RED MIST]

A bull killed in Fishlake Utah with CVA 50 caliber, 250 yards with no problem. One thing to consider with the CVA LR is they do not have sights, may be a problem where scopes are restricted.

 

[Kelljp]

What kind of Thompson do you now have ?

 

[RugerHawg413]

View attachment 371069
A bull killed in Fishlake Utah with CVA 50 caliber, 250 yards with no problem. One thing to consider with the CVA LR is they do not have sights, may be a problem where scopes are restricted.

Great Bull!! Very true, thank you!!

 

[RugerHawg413]

What kind of Thompson do you now have ?

I have a older Impact or what they now call the Impact!SB. Thanks!

 

[vedauvoo]

View attachment 371069
A bull killed in Fishlake Utah with CVA 50 caliber, 250 yards with no problem. One thing to consider with the CVA LR is they do not have sights, may be a problem where scopes are restricted.

Nice bull! and incredible country!