45 cal for elk?

[jasone]

Question will a 45 cal. work for elk hunting? My son is going to be elk hunting this year with me. I have a 45 cal I was going to have him use but I am not sure if its big enough to take down a elk.

[Woodchuck]

I highly doubt the elk will know the difference. Just like anything else, put the projectile in the vitals and they will go down. 

[jackelope]

Pretty sure the law states you have to use at least a .50 cal

[Sabotloader]

Question will a 45 cal. work for elk hunting? My son is going to be elk hunting this year with me. I have a 45 cal I was going to have him use but I am not sure if its big enough to take down a elk.

Better check the regs on that one!

[JimmyHoffa]

.45 for big game, except .40 for deer.
.45 should do fine if heavy enough/fast enough/accurate enough.

[Woodchuck]

Pretty sure the law states you have to use at least a .50 cal

Of course there is that little problem. Sorry I am not a ML guy. 

[h20hunter]

used for deer must be .40 caliber or larger.
Buckshot size #1 or larger may be used in a
smoothbore of .60 caliber or larger for deer.
c.   A muzzleloading shotgun, rifle, or
handgun used for all other big game must
be .45 caliber or larger.


Send it! Good luck on the tag.

[bobcat]

.40 minimum for deer and .45 minimum for elk.

It will work fine. Just don't use round balls. A full bore conical might be best.

What's the twist in your rifle?

[Sabotloader]

used for deer must be .40 caliber or larger.
Buckshot size #1 or larger may be used in a
smoothbore of .60 caliber or larger for deer.
c.   A muzzleloading shotgun, rifle, or
handgun used for all other big game must
be .45 caliber or larger.


Send it! Good luck on the tag.

OK then next question to be legal in a 45 he would need to shoot a full bore bullet - correct???  He could not use a 40cal + Sabot to equal a 45.

[bobcat]

Yes I believe a sabot would be legal. As long as it's a 45 caliber rifle. Doesn't matter the size of the bullet.

[Bob33]

The WAC refers to the rifle, not the projectile. A .45 caliber rifle is legal for elk. There is no restriction on projectiles.

[Sabotloader]

The WAC refers to the rifle, not the projectile. A .45 caliber rifle is legal for elk. There is no restriction on projectiles.

Thanks for the explanation,

[jasone]

The gun is a older H&R not sure the twist on it

[bobcat]

Are you sure it's Washington-legal?  (open ignition and uses percussion caps)

[Sagebrushwilly]

Jasone,

Your older H&R 45 cal has a twist of 1:56.
It also has a closed breech and is not legal in WA.

You might be in the market for another type of rifle.

[Ghost Hunter]

I've got a .58 H&R that has been modified to be legal in WA.

[jasone]

Sagebrushwilly,

The gun was modified many years ago. It has a hole drilled thru the top of the breech exposing the nipple and cap. It was my gun when I was younger now I am passing it on to my son.