muzzleloader - 2015 Colorado elk

[ted368]

I am new to this forum, muzzleloading and elk hunting. I was successful in the Colorado lottery for the 1st elk season in units 35,36 and 361. The area is generally west of Gypsum and north of I-70. I've shot enough Texas deer and thought I'd try for something more challenging. I have no idea what to anticipate for distance of shooting.

I have a Savage ML II with the new trigger. I would appreciate any info on proven Col. legal 50 cal. elk loads for the gun. I don't know anything about muzzleloading so no info is too basic for me to learn and use. I have learned I cannot use bullets with sabots. In retrospect, I might be better equipped with a 54 cal. or even larger.

I live in Houston, Tex. My house is 50 foot above sea level so I will need some conditioning to make hunting in the area enjoyable. I will hire a guide as wife and daughter insist. Thanks in advance for any response. Ted368

 

[Dark Mavis]

I have used 245gr powerbelt platinums with 125grns of Jim Shockey powder with good success on elk. I have a .50cal TC omega. Bring your cleaning supplies with you to camp also. Speed loaders are handy, elk are tough, so as soon as you shoot, reload quickly.

Whatever your doing to get in shape, do more. It's hard to make up for that lack of oxygen up there. Just take it slow the first couple days there, and you'll be fine.

You might want to introduce yourself in the new members section too.
There's threads on muzzleloading, working out, and acclimating on here. Read as much as you can of these and good luck!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I am a M/L elk hunter and also use a TC Omega .50 cal. .50 is large enough, any larger and the recoil starts to get too much. I use Thor bullets, which can be bought in several different diameters to match your barrel. Check out the M/L threads as Dark said, there is a wealth of information there. I don't shoot over 150 yards, as I am just not that confident of the accuracy and group size beyond this range. The main thing is practice....practice and then practice some more.

Good Luck.

 

[Slugz]

2nd the Thor bullets. If you can get em to group, shoot em. Blackhorn 209 powder is bar far the cleanest shooting. Check out the Williams peep sights and a white line front site. Substantially more accurate than the blade open sights IMO. U get a first season rifle tag or muzzleloader hunt tag? Welcome

 

[canvsbk]

Another vote for Thor bullets and a rear peep.

 

[Dakota Drifter]

Last year my dad used a ML for elk in Co for the first time. All summer long he focused on accuracy in a bullet. He ended up shooting one at 65 yards. We found some blood with lungs in it but never did find the elk. When he got home he researched reviews on the bullet. It had great reviews on deer but very bad for elk. One review was 4 guys had shot three elk in co and never found any of them. IMO CO is not doing any good for the elk by not allowing sabots but then I don't know much about ML bullets.

 

[ted368]

You are each thanked for your comments. I will try the Thor and Blackhorn 209.

I hope the one that ran off was not hit with a Thor bullet. One of the fellows I hunt with told me he hit a large bull 3 times in the chest with a 300 Win Mag It stopped after the 1st shot and then stood there for the other 2 and then ran about 100 yards. Doesn't seem possible but I guess they are tough. Thanks again for the comments.

 

[brushcreek]

I would say do not use power belt bullets for elk

 

[CoHiCntry]

Last year my dad used a ML for elk in Co for the first time. All summer long he focused on accuracy in a bullet. He ended up shooting one at 65 yards. We found some blood with lungs in it but never did find the elk. When he got home he researched reviews on the bullet. It had great reviews on deer but very bad for elk. One review was 4 guys had shot three elk in co and never found any of them. IMO CO is not doing any good for the elk by not allowing sabots but then I don't know much about ML bullets.

Care to share what bullet that was? I've killed elk and mule deer with powerbelts but have read to many reports of them not performing well to keep me away from them. Thor's come highly recommended. FPB's and No Excuses are a couple more that I rarely hear anything bad about. Hopefully out of these three you can find one your gun shoots well.

 

[Kentucky hunter]

You said you have a 1st elk season tag is it an muzzle loader tag or did you draw a 1st season rifle tag an just want to use a muzzle loader instead of a rifle?

 

[Hilltop]

I believe part of the issue with elk wounding loss and muzzleloaders is lack of discipline on the hunters part. IMO a muzzleloader should be treated like a bow with longer range. Optimum shots on elk should be broadside or quartering away shots where you don't have to go through the shoulder. I believe that most bullets on the market will effectively take elk within reasonable distances as long as the hunter puts that bullet in the lungs. They are a big animal but they die as fast as a whitetail if you put a hole through BOTH lungs.

 

[CoHiCntry]

I believe part of the issue with elk wounding loss and muzzleloaders is lack of discipline on the hunters part. IMO a muzzleloader should be treated like a bow with longer range. Optimum shots on elk should be broadside or quartering away shots where you don't have to go through the shoulder. I believe that most bullets on the market will effectively take elk within reasonable distances as long as the hunter puts that bullet in the lungs. They are a big animal but they die as fast as a whitetail if you put a hole through BOTH lungs.

I'm glad you brought that up and couldn't agree more. I think (just speculating) that a lot of guys who normally rifle hunt pick up muzzleloading and expect the same performance out of their muzzleloader as they do their .300 mag. I would bet there are WAY more botched Archery shots taken every year but you rarely hear anyone blaming the arrow or broadheads. They always blame the shot angle, miss judging the distance e etc. All of the same reasons why muzzleloader shots are botched. I guess it's just easier to blame the bullet rather than making sure everything is perfect with the shot before pulling the trigger. I agree, muzzleloader shots should be kept to acceptable yardage broadside or quartering away. Unless your right on top of the animal where other shots would be lethal.

 

[ted368]

I drew a Bull Tag for the 1st muzzleloader season (9/12 to 9/20) and am looking forward to the hunt with a Savage ML II.

It appears a Thor bullet and 110 to 125 Gns of Blackhorn 209 powder is the most recommended load - I hope the recoil is not too stiff for a repaired shoulder. I will mount a peep sight and use a large ring for a"ghost" sight set up. I rigged that on a pump rifle I use for Hog hunting and I can quickly acquire the target and shoot fairly accurately.

 

[ted368]

I drew a Bull Tag for the 1st muzzleloader season (9/12 - 9/20).

Apparently, the most recommended load is a Thor bullet and 110 to 125 gns Blackhorn 209 powder. I hope the recoil is not too stiff for a repaired rotator tear. I will use a Williams Peep sight with a large ring. I have that set up on a pump rifle I use for hogs and I can acquire the target quickly and shoot fairly accurately.

 

[CoHiCntry]

I drew a Bull Tag for the 1st muzzleloader season (9/12 to 9/20) and am looking forward to the hunt with a Savage ML II.

It appears a Thor bullet and 110 to 125 Gns of Blackhorn 209 powder is the most recommended load

FYI... there's only one muzzleloader season in Colorado for Elk. I'd say the Thor with BH209 is a really good place to start. Good luck!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I drew a Bull Tag for the 1st muzzleloader season (9/12 - 9/20).

Apparently, the most recommended load is a Thor bullet and 110 to 125 gns Blackhorn 209 powder. I hope the recoil is not too stiff for a repaired rotator tear. I will use a Williams Peep sight with a large ring. I have that set up on a pump rifle I use for hogs and I can acquire the target quickly and shoot fairly accurately.

There are several bullets weight available from Thor. Remember on thing....the more powder you use and the heavier the bullet weight translate into more recoil. Spend some time at the range and get your load dialed in.

 

[CoHiCntry]

There are several bullets weight available from Thor. Remember on thing....the more powder you use and the heavier the bullet weight translate into more recoil. Spend some time at the range and get your load dialed in.

You must be thinking about size? They have several different sizes but only two weights... 250 or 300 grain.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

You must be thinking about size? They have several different sizes but only two weights... 250 or 300 grain.

I said bullet weight, no mention of size. I have shot black powder (and substitutes) for years, both muzzle loaded and cartridge and bullet weight and how much powder you use to drive the bullet will relate directly to felt recoil. Heavier bullet/more powder translate to more recoil. Pretty simple.

A 25 grain increase in bullet weigh and 25 grains of additional powder will really get you attention.

 

[CoHiCntry]

I said bullet weight, no mention of size. I have shot black powder (and substitutes) for years, both muzzle loaded and cartridge and bullet weight and how much powder you use to drive the bullet will relate directly to felt recoil. Heavier bullet/more powder translate to more recoil. Pretty simple.

A 25 grain increase in bullet weigh and 25 grains of additional powder will really get you attention.

Sorry, I must have misinterpreted your comment that "there are several bullet weights available from Thor". They only make a 250 or 300 weight bullet. I understand that a heavier bullet with more powder equals more recoil. I've only been shooting and hunting black powder rifles for 10 or 15 years, not nearly as long as you.

 

[Hoytfanatic]

Can't say enough about having a strong core, abs are your center. Everything from your back to your legs are effected by the strength of your guts. Sit-ups and crunches every commercial at night will do wonders for your stamina on the mountain. Oh and drink lots of water the first few days helps the body equalize to the elevation. Good luck