Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: elkaddict652 on September 29, 2014, 07:04:05 PM

Title: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: elkaddict652 on September 29, 2014, 07:04:05 PM: So I bought a traditions .50 for the season. I'm shootin hollow point 338 grain powerbelt coppers with the 150 grain jim shockey sticks. Anybody shoot either of these, hit an elk with one? Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: lokidog on September 29, 2014, 07:37:05 PM: 150 grains? Wow, you are way more man than I am.....

Don't know why that would not work on elk as long as it is accurate.
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: Damnimissed on September 29, 2014, 08:06:44 PM: Powerbelts are fine for deer, not elk. Buy some quality bullets
(300gr Bloodlines, 290gr barnes tmz,t-ez, 300gr hornady SST). Id use 777 loose but if you're set on pellets 777 makes pellets too. 120 max on loose and 150 max on pellets.
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: huntnnw on September 29, 2014, 09:49:22 PM: having to use caps here I prefer loose..I tried pellets years ago and got several hang fires. Capped guns usually cant burn all150 gr.. I bet if you shot 100 gr u would get the same results
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on September 29, 2014, 09:58:55 PM: Ditch the pellets and go with loose..
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: Stein on September 29, 2014, 10:08:10 PM: I agree, you will do massive damage with a shoulder shot - the elk probably won't like it either.

The only bruise I have ever received from shooting was an afternoon shooting a package of 20 with 120+ grains behind them. All kinds of blue, yellow and purple for two weeks. I can comfortably go through 30 or even 40 30-06 in a long day at the range with zero problems or discomfort.
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: huntnnw on September 29, 2014, 10:10:01 PM: I only shoot 90gr of T7 and its killed many bulls out to a 100
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: Chukarhead on September 29, 2014, 10:38:18 PM: It's only a few days before early season opener, so if that's what you're shooting, and you can't take time to pattern something else... :dunno:

Most around here advocate for loose powder with caps. Also, most advocate for losing the Powerbelts in favor for a solid copper (Barnes), brass alloy (Lehigh/Bloodline), or bonded lead (SST, etc.) bullet for elk. My group has killed a lot of critters -- deer and elk -- with 120gr of Triple7 FFFG behind a 290 Barnes T-EZ bullet in our Knight Bighorns. It's powerful medicine for anything in North America.

We all shot Powerbelts before the Washington regulations changed, and had a lot of disintegrated bullets to show for it. If you manage to make a bone-free vital hit, they'll work just fine. Otherwise, :bdid:
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: MountainDevil54 on September 30, 2014, 12:02:11 AM: you'll do fine. You guys have to remember that 150gr American Pioneer sticks is equal to about 90 grains Pyrodex :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: Triplej on September 30, 2014, 07:00:30 AM: I bought the Jim Shocky sticks and had nothing but problems !! Switch to the triple seven
Title: Re: Will my setup work for elk?
Post by: PsoasHunter on October 02, 2014, 08:44:21 AM: I've killed two of two elk I've shot at with 348gr lead powerbelts. It's plenty to bring down an elk and if you've been practicing with them and know how they shoot in your gun, no need to switch it up at the last minute. Accuracy is more important that energy IMHO, so shoot what you know you can hit with.