.50 Caliber for Elk Hunting

[RugerHawg413]

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!!

 

[cohunt]

In colorado you have to have a minimum 50 cal for muzzleloader for elk -- its what most guys use. This seems like a slightly loaded question..maybe I'm just a pessimist

 

[RugerHawg413]

In colorado you have to have a minimum 50 cal for muzzleloader -- its what most guys use. This seems like a slightly loaded question..maybe I'm just a pessimist

Thank you for the info, I don't know a lot about muzzleloaders and state laws when hunting with them. So, I was just trying to get a better understanding from people who have used .50 cal muzzleloaders in the field. Thank you.

 

[cohunt]

Read the hunting regs in the state you intend to hunt in-- they can be quite different.

And practice

 

[RugerHawg413]

Read the hunting regs in the state you intend to hunt in-- they can be quite different.

And practice

Absolutely, will do!

 

[cabelasken]

Muzzleloaders are quite powerful these days, especially those that accept 150 grains of black powder. I took a doe with one many years ago at about 35 yds with a very reduced load standing broadside. the slug struck just behind the shoulder and provided about an 8" circle of destruction from start to finish. My cousin that witnessed the shot said the impact knocked the doe completely off its feet and it landed about 8 feet back. A 50 cal up to a reasonable range is extremely lethal.

 

[RugerHawg413]

Muzzleloaders are quite powerful these days, especially those that accept 150 grains of black powder. I took a doe with one many years ago at about 35 yds with a very reduced load standing broadside. the slug struck just behind the shoulder and provided about an 8" circle of destruction from start to finish. My cousin that witnessed the shot said the impact knocked the doe completely off its feet and it landed about 8 feet back. A 50 cal up to a reasonable range is extremely lethal.

Wow, that is amazing! Thank you for the info!!

 

[del2les]

Yes, a .50 cal will work and well with the right bullets and loads. For decades, I have cast my own ML bullets, balls, etc, and 2 bullets that work well on larger game are the 370gr TC Maxi and a 385gr Buffalo design. Usually, I run 100-110gr of Pyrodex or, if I am feeling nostalgic, even black powder. Today and depending on the state regs, many prefer one of the many sabot loads, but don't underestimate the deep penetration of the old lead bullets. Many a buffalo fell to these old guns and loads.

 

[RugerHawg413]

Yes, a .50 cal will work and well with the right bullets and loads. For decades, I have cast my own ML bullets, balls, etc, and 2 bullets that work well on larger game are the 370gr TC Maxi and a 385gr Buffalo design. Usually, I run 100-110gr of Pyrodex or, if I am feeling nostalgic, even black powder. Today and depending on the state regs, many prefer one of the many sabot loads, but don't underestimate the deep penetration of the old lead bullets.

Awesome, thank you for all the info!!

 

[cabelasken]

While scopes are not allowed for the muzzleloader season in many states, I wasn't particularly efficient with the standard rabbit ears sights so I installed a williams peep and it made my groups shrink considerably. My self imposed range limit with a muzzleloader has been 100 yds as both energy and accuracy with my gun is sufficient for elk.

 

[RugerHawg413]

While scopes are not allowed for the muzzleloader season in many states, I wasn't particularly efficient with the standard rabbit ears sights so I installed a williams peep and it made my groups shrink considerably. My self imposed range limit with a muzzleloader has been 100 yds as both energy and accuracy with my gun is sufficient for elk.

Thank you for the info!!

 

[Allen Kitts]

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.

 

[vedauvoo]

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.

 

[wyguide]

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.