Help - Need a Muzzy Load for Elk and Moose

[jschaffer]

The drawings have been fortunate to me this year. I will be hunting moose in Maine and the end of September and then Elk in New Mexico the beginning of October. My NM tag is for muzzy only, but I would also like to hunt my moose with that as well. But because of the close proximity of the two hunts, I would like to use one load. I believe in both states sabots are legal as well as pelleted powder (still doing my research on Maine).

So I am looking for advice on what bullet and powder combination might be solid for both hunts?

The biggest issue I am running into is that Maine will likely have closer shots in thicker woods, whereas NM I will want to be able to get some range with accuracy (looking at 200 yards). So I would like a combo that has good knock down power as well as some good flight performance at a distance.

Oh, I shoot a .50 cal CVA Accura v2. I have had good luck with the Blackhorn powder and may continue with that.

Thanks in advance for any advice or help!

 

[JimP]

What are the regulations for muzzle loaders in both states? That will dictated a lot of what you can use.

Here in Colorado where the restrictions are pretty tough I just use a 300 grain Thor bullet over 90-100 grains of powder. It is a deadly combination.

 

[jschaffer]

NM allow sabots and pelleted powder (as well as scopes). the Moose hunt is any weapon, so I believe anything goes there as long as i meet the caliber requirements (which .50 cal does).

 

[JimP]

I would just stick with what you have been using if you have hunted elk with your rifle. Moose are not that hard to kill, they just don't know that they are dead after being hit and will stand there a while.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I was impressed with the performance of 300 gr Swift sabots in my 50 cal on elk. The bullet is 44 cal. Unfortunately, Idaho changed its regs right after I discovered Swift bullets and I can’t use them in my muzzleloader now. I have no doubt that they would work well on moose. I am thinking about using either the 300 gr 44 Swift A-frame or the 325 gr 45 A-frame when I chase moose in Wyoming this fall. Good on both hunts.