Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: jasone on June 12, 2015, 01:50:46 PM

Title: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: jasone on June 12, 2015, 01:50:46 PM: 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.
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: Woodchuck on June 12, 2015, 01:52:44 PM: I highly doubt the elk will know the difference. Just like anything else, put the projectile in the vitals and they will go down. :twocents:
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: jackelope on June 12, 2015, 02:06:52 PM: Pretty sure the law states you have to use at least a .50 cal
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: Sabotloader on June 12, 2015, 02:12:30 PM: Quote from: jasone on June 12, 2015, 01:50:46 PM
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!
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 12, 2015, 02:14:44 PM: .45 for big game, except .40 for deer.
.45 should do fine if heavy enough/fast enough/accurate enough.
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: Woodchuck on June 12, 2015, 02:15:24 PM: Quote from: jackelope on June 12, 2015, 02:06:52 PM
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. :sry:
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: h20hunter on June 12, 2015, 02:17:45 PM: 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.
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: bobcat on June 12, 2015, 02:19:59 PM: .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?
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: Sabotloader on June 12, 2015, 02:21:11 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on June 12, 2015, 02:17:45 PM
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.
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: bobcat on June 12, 2015, 02:26:13 PM: 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.
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: Bob33 on June 12, 2015, 02:50:42 PM: The WAC refers to the rifle, not the projectile. A .45 caliber rifle is legal for elk. There is no restriction on projectiles.
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: Sabotloader on June 12, 2015, 05:33:12 PM: Quote from: Bob33 on June 12, 2015, 02:50:42 PM
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,
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: jasone on June 13, 2015, 07:17:54 AM: The gun is a older H&R not sure the twist on it
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: bobcat on June 13, 2015, 08:04:09 AM: Are you sure it's Washington-legal? (open ignition and uses percussion caps)
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: Sagebrushwilly on June 13, 2015, 03:56:23 PM: 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.
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: Ghost Hunter on June 14, 2015, 01:13:45 AM: I've got a .58 H&R that has been modified to be legal in WA.
Title: Re: 45 cal for elk?
Post by: jasone on June 14, 2015, 07:25:26 AM: 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.