muzzleloader - 2015 Colorado elk

[Umpqua Hunter]

Someone correct me here if needed, but I believe a 125-grain load of BH209 might knock his shoulder off. Isn't BH209 a hotter powder than 777 or Pyrodex? If I remember correctly 125 grains (by weight) was the hottest recommended load in my .52 last year. I was shooting a 375 grain bullet and ended up shooting 100 grains by weight. MUCH EASIER on the shoulder! Again someone correct me or pipe in as needed.

125 grains by WEIGHT is 178 grains by volume. I don't know if I have ever heard of that hot of a load with BH209.

I have heard great things about Thor bullets and even worked with my friend at ODFW to define their legal usage in Oregon. That said I hit an antelope 5 times with a Barnes muzzleloader bullet before it went down (a Thor bullet is a bore sized Barnes). That scared me a bit for using it for elk because it really doesn't take much to kill an antelope. The shot was 200 yards. I've become a firm believer in a long heavy bullet to retain energy. The closer the profile comes to a round ball (horrible for retaining energy) the less I like it. I also think when shooting a full bore bullet, expansion is over rated. You are already shooting a bullet with a 1/2" diameter frontal area. I opt instead for penetration, particularly with elk.

 

[Pajay 1962]

I'm also going to CO this year with the ML. I started out using the Hornady 350 grain bullets with Triple 7 - couldn't get any group smaller than 8" - at 30 YARDS! Tried all kinds of powder charges, still couldn't get it. Went to a Powerbelt Platinum, got a 2" group at 50 yards with open sights. Because of the sketchy reviews I read, I ordered some Thor 300 grain in, shot them the other day and got a 1" group at 50 yards with 100 grains of Triple 7 and open sights - SOLD! The owner is great to deal with, sent the bullets to me with an invoice, and mailed the check out that day as I didn't want to disappoint him. Also immediately placed an order for 50 more and got them today - 3 days after ordering. Can't wait - only one more month until I get to try them on an elk (hopefully)!

Jay

 

[gypsumreaper]

Just a side note unit 35,36 and 361 are generally east of gypsum and north of I-70, unit 35 goes 5 miles west of gypsum and then 15 east, then 36 is another ways to the top of vail pass, and 361 is north of unit 36, so don't get to far west of gypsum ur gonna run into unit 25 know ur boundaries there pretty easy on those units


If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat