Caliber for elk?

[steelheadless]

Researching doing some blackpowder elk hunting this year. Does a .50cal do it or?

[bobcat]

Yes, and that's what 99% of elk hunters use.

[Dan-o]

Just fine.     You can get so many bullet combos in 50 cal it will blow your mind.   Some are awesome for elk.

I know everyone has their personal fav, but for elk I love a Harvester hard cast lead 400 grain sabotted bullet.    Kills elk like magic.    I think some elk might lay down and die at the mere thought of taking one to the boiler room.

[duckmen1]

You said you like the harvested hard cast bullet. How have results been on deer and elk as far as terminal damage, expansion, penetration. Looking to try a new bullet out of my knight and might give these a try.

[trophyhunt]

You said you like the harvested hard cast bullet. How have results been on deer and elk as far as terminal damage, expansion, penetration. Looking to try a new bullet out of my knight and might give these a try.

I'm curious myself, I'm tired of bullets not exiting even after not hitting bone.

[Dan-o]

I have shot 8-9 elk with the Harvester Hard Cast Lead 400 grain bullet, so I have a pretty good sample.

1 big bull - good 6X6 at 120 yards.

All the rest cows from 10 feet to 100 yards.

The wound channels have been absolutely DEVASTATING.

I think I had to shoot 1 cow a second time, due to shot placement.   All of my other shots have been right behind the shoulder and low, taking out both lungs or heart/lung.   Needless to say, just about any bullet will kill an elk if you put it in the right place.   But the wound channels have seriously been DEVASTATING.

I haven't had to do any real trailing.....   Nothing over 50 yards.

[Dan-o]

Also:

Penetration has been awesome.    I think I've only had one of these stay in an elk, and that was a big cow looking right at me.   I shot her in the chest and the bullet went deep into her loin.   She went nowhere (except over on her back).

Expansion.....   Not so much.  But they leave an incredible carnage trail.   Hydrostatic shock at its best.

I've only shot elk with them.    I deer hunt modern rifle.

[hillbilli]

My .45-70 guide gun will push a .45 caliber 300grn HP to 1800fps, or a 350 to 1650.. without hotloading.. and I have yet to have anyone credible tell me that with good bullets the GG wont kill anything in North America within its range limitations.. I only say that because the .50 Muzz will push the same size and weight bullets to the same velocity.. and with bullets like the partitions, a-frames, and speer unicore(gold dot).. penetration with 300 grainers is not a problem.. another comparison is look up velocity for 300gr .44mag when pushed out of a carbine.. excellent penetration, and I'd not feel handicapped hunting anything in North America..

[duckmen1]

If they work good on elk I'm sure they will put a deer down. Thanks I will give these a try.