Bullets for Elk hunting

[HoofsandWings]

What is the minimum bullet weight for a .50 cal when elk hunting?
250 grains? 275 grains? Less? More?

[rasbo]

I will be using 295 grain power belts and 110 loose,maybe 100 loose ..many say more but these work well for me..348 I believe you will hear a lot about

[carpsniperg2]

there is no said min weight just diamiter which is 45 for all other big game deer is 40 cal its kinda up to each person i like heavy bullets from deer + sized animals we shot the 290's tmz's last year for deer and would have no prob using them on elk i have hunted with the dead centers 340 for years before the switch and would trust them on anything.

[HoofsandWings]

The reason for asking is I need to start practicing for the October opener. I know it is 4 months away, but have you looked at my calendar. I only have a handful of weekends that are not spoken for. I am going to be using triple seven FFFG powder since in testing, I found with #11 percussion caps, work well in my rifle.
Maybe if I was using #209 primers, FFG would suffice. I need to practice those 100 yard shots. And practice bugling.

[HoofsandWings]

Hey Rasbo, do you have a life outside this forum? TEN THOUSAND posts and counting?

[rasbo]

 :chuckle:I was broke up in an accident pretty bad and ,,well guess what I spent my time doing LOL..Im in the woods most days working my leg,disabled sooo there ya go

[markts]

I was not impressed with the 295 gr powerbelts last year on an elk I shot in the neck, I think I will try the 348 copper jacketed bullet Mark

[rasbo]

I was not impressed with the 295 gr powerbelts last year on an elk I shot in the neck, I think I will try the 348 copper jacketed bullet Mark

im a head shooter,what happened break up bad

[bobcat]

Powerbelts are really soft. I prefer a bullet that will penetrate all the way through. How much penetration did you get with that neck shot? By the way, a neck shot on an elk with a muzzleloader is a really bad idea. A lot of meat there with just a small area you have to hit for a lethal shot. I have experience with this. Shot a cow elk at 15 yards through the middle of the neck with a 54 caliber maxi ball. She ran over 1/4 mile with almost no blood trail. Luckily she did lay down and when we got close she stood up and let me put another bullet through the lungs.

[rasbo]

when I run out of powerbelts I do plan on switching...not sure which bullet yet

[markts]

The bull had already been hit so I thought a neck shot would finish the job at 35-40 yds bullet pancaked and was found in his neck. As far as the neck shot being a bad idea-I have lived and learned

[bobcat]

Yeah those powerbelts do "pancake" even on broadside shots through blacktail deer, through nothing but ribs and lungs. I am going to try Harvester bullets this year. They have a couple of different types that I like and the prices are reasonable.

http://www.harvesterbullets.com/

[markts]

Those look good. What do you plan on trying 300gr 348gr

[bobcat]

Right now I have the 54 caliber hard cast (all lead) in 330 grain. I bought them before they changed the law allowing copper jacketed bullets. So now I want to try the Scorpion Funnel Point in 300 grain. But I think I've got enough of the hard cast bullets to last a while. So I will probably just use them for this year. I won't ever use less than 300 grains.

[markts]

I havent shot my new gun yet so I think I will try the powerbelts I have for load testing. If they load alright I am definately going up to the 348 copper powerbelts this year. Thanks for the tips. Mark