Hello Gents, I was wondering if a 275 gr. conical ahead of 90 grs of 777 would be enough for elk. Should I find a heavier bullet/load? If so, how much would be enough/minimum. Thanks for any input.

Will it work, yes, but a heavier bullet would be a little better in my opinion.

Your bullet is fine, but it seems that your powder charge is a little light.

I don't have any experience with Muzzleloader hunting Elk. That said, I have a MLer Bull hunt booked for 09 and asked my guide what he recommended as he has guided MLer elk hunters for years. He said use at least a 350 in his opinion, so 350 it is.....

Good Luck

Reloader

reloader, thats completely wrong. It appears that the guide has no muzzleloader experience.

You may be thinking I was referring to sabots, I should have made that clear. I was referring to conicals. Maybe it's wrong, maybe it's not. He owns his own outfitting business and has personally and successfully guided MLer hunters for decades and they've taken many nice bulls, so I place alittle merit in what he advises. I wouldn't want to show up with sub 350 conicals when he told me to use "at least a 350," so 350 it is. I posted on 24hr campfire and emailed Knight and both sources said the 350s would work splendidly.

Hopefully they will not bounce off shall I get a shot at a nice bull.

He also will not allow expandables in archery season, but that's a whole new subject...

Ya'll have a good one,

Reloader

Reloader, I wasn't trying to be critical, sorry about that. What state are you hunting for elk in?

Bshooter,

If your hunting in Oregon be sure to read the big game regulations regarding muzzleloaders especially what is and is not allowed in powder, bullets, sights and ignition. That said, the 45-90 was a well regarded big game round, it used 90 grains of 2ff behind a 330 grain bullet. I've shot four elk with a muzzleloader using 380 grain conicals and 120 grains of 2ff, it works quite well. The wife shoots the same bullet with 100 grains of 2ff, the cow she shot last year went all of 25 yards. I'm sure that with a good hit you'll be eating elk steak. Good luck on your hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by wapiti7:
reloader, thats completely wrong. It appears that the guide has no muzzleloader experience.

That's a broad statement, seeing how you don't even know the guide. Nothing wrong with using a 350 gr. bullet (conical) for Elk.

When the outfitter says "atleast a 350gr bullet" then he appeared either ignorant of modern muzzleloading bullets or thats all he knew. I never said there was anything wrong with that choice, but unless its mandated by the state to shoot a conical, there are a lot better choices out there.

Thanks all for the info. Elk Hunter, I am indeed hunting in Oregon. I've read the regs and following them. Thanks for the heads up. I've got a Ruger 77ML. I bought it with the intent of trying out the muzzle loading deal. If I get serious, I can always upgrade to something more traditional. No sabots, hence the conicals. I'll probably go up to 320 or 350 grain bullets. Anyone have a starting point for a load. This is a .50 cal. It really likes the 275 gr conicals over 90 grs of loose 777 and a #11 cap. If you haven't already guessed, I don't know a thing about this stuff but I have the tag and now the homework. Thanks all.....

bshooter, the best thing you can do is shoot.........a lot. Get comfortable with the rifle and your max distance. (whatever that may be) also practice reloading your follow up shot. You can get a routine down and this will help with fumbling with your muzzleloading "pieces and parts" in the field.

Bshooter,

I've not used a Ruger or 777 but the Ruger should be as strong as the Remington 700, 50 caliber that we use. Our load is 100 to 120 grains of ffg Goex black, one Ox Yolk wonder wad and a 380 grain conical cast of soft lead in a Lyman mould, the bullet is sized to be easy to load and lubed with SPG lube, this is lit off with a musket cap for better ignition.
I strongly recommend the use of musket caps and the wonder wad. The wonder wad helps with accuracy and loading without cleaning between shots.

This load will shoot three shot's in to a very tight group at 100 yards without cleaning between shots.

If you would like to try the bullet we use shoot me a PM and I'll send you some.

elk hunter, THANKS for the offer but I've got three boxes of TC Maxi Hunter I'm going to try. I'll let you know how it goes. My hunt is in October. Thanks to all for your input.....