Muzzle loader shot placement questions... neck? Hi shoulder?

[robinhoodish]

So I've been hunting big game most of my life. Probably 50/50 split between rifle and archery. I'm very aware of shot angles, anatomy and what to expect when I put this bullet or that broadhead in an animal. So here's my situation. I have some elk coming in right behind the house usually about 60 yards from the kitchen window a few of them have really bad hoof rot and are having serious problems getting around some have very noticeable atrophy from favoring certain legs. I'm thinking about doing one of them and myself a favor and putting one in the freezer. I have neighboring properties on 3 sides so anchoring the animal where it stands would be ideal. If I was using a rifle I wouldn't think twice and go for the neck or hi shoulder shot but with the lower velocity of a muzzle loader and my inexperience with the platform/ projectiles I'm curious if that's a viable option. If anyone has any recommendations on .50 projectiles powder charges shot placement I would be very thankful. I'm not recoil sensitive and if I need to talk to the neighbors I can I just don't think many people know they hang out back there and would like to keep it that way if possible. Thank you in advance

[Scruffy]

I totally understand about wanting to drop it in it's tracks.  I personally would not risk a high shoulder shot on an elk with a muzzle loader.  for one they are not totally accurate as a modern rifle.  If you should hit the shoulder blade, I don't know if it would penetrate much after.  I think I personally would go for a heart or double lung shot.  Of course everything depends on your scenario, how close, how good of a shot are you, how much property are we talking, and such.  Good Luck I think you're doing the right thing.

[robinhoodish]

I totally understand about wanting to drop it in it's tracks.  I personally would not risk a high shoulder shot on an elk with a muzzle loader.  for one they are not totally accurate as a modern rifle.  If you should hit the shoulder blade, I don't know if it would penetrate much after.  I think I personally would go for a heart or double lung shot.  Of course everything depends on your scenario, how close, how good of a shot are you, how much property are we talking, and such.  Good Luck I think you're doing the right thing.

  thanks for the reply. The shot wouldn't be more than 75 yards at that distance under pressure and most any circumstances with a muzzle loader I feel like a 3 to 4 inch group is something I can achieve on demand. The property is 5 acres bordered  by a couple other 5 acre pieces and straight back is a 140 acre piece of private woods that borders Weyerhaeuser I know I can get it done with a heart lung shot I just don't know what tracking would look like with all the private around.

[zwickeyman]

It also depends on what bullet and powder charge. I shoot a 420gr No Excuses with 120 gr by weight and wouldnt have a problem with a high shoulder shot at 75 yards. If shooting a softer bullet I wouldnt chance it

[300rum]

Sounds like you need to have a couple of rifles handy laying against the on the porch rail, give you multiple shots.  If it runs off on private, so be it, it happens.  I wouldn't eat an animal that isn't sound though.

[HntnFsh]

We have eaten a bunch of them with no ill effects. Yet. Use your discretion on discarding whats needed on the affected quarter.