I'm booked for a CO MLer Bull Elk in 2009. I figure it will never be too early to get ready.

I just picked up a pound of FFF T7 and intend on picking up a package of 348 PBs soon. I may get the originals and the new Platinums as well.

The following three rifles are what I have to choose from:

Knight with 22" barrel and Disc Elite conversion(1:28 twist).

CVA Optima 24" barrel (1:28 twist).

CVA Appollo 26" barrel, #11 ignition (1:32 twist)

Any suggestions on which of these rifles may do well with the 348 PBs and FFF T7? Any load suggestions?

I was thinking of trying 100grns to start with. If that doesn't work well, I'll reduce the charge a bit and see what happens to accuracy.

I don't feel I'm going to need 1" groups for the range I'll be shooting. I don't intend to shoot past 125-150yds max and would prefer about 50-75yds If I can get around 3" groups at 100, I'll be pleased.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Reloader

I would say try all three M/L's and see which one gives you the best performance. I would start at 85 to 90 gr. and work up from there.

My choice would be the longest barrel !

I would have picked the longest barrel on first thought; but, after thinking a little I think I would say shoot them all and see which one comes up to shoulder the best and which one seems to do the best group. I always like to hunt with a rifle that I have a lot of confidence in. Especially considering shots shorter than 100 yards the barrel length means little. I think I would consider Harvester Sabertooth bullets also. I have been seeing very good reports on them and less tendency to fragment. Maybe even a couple of true conicals.

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming. This is my first try with fff T7 as I've only used it in the pellet form since it came out.

I probably will try each rifle and check the accuracy. I will say that the reliability of 209 sort of reduces my confidence in the #11 rifle although it has never let me down. On a high $ hunt I want the highest confidence level in my firearm.

A couple of other questions concerning this powder:

I bought the FFF based on what I've read from several Mler experts that have much more experience with Mling than I. At first glance I'm thinking I may have made a mistake by going with fff instead of ff (what I used when I used real black and Pyro with my first Mlers). Does the fine fff cause a problem by seeping through the flash hole and causing exessive blow back?

Also will the fff T7 give me the crud ring I get with the pellets?

Thanks,

Reloader

I have found no advantages to FFF in 24" & under barrels. I can't recall any disadvantages but I don't own any 26" barrels currently and as a result haven't use anything but ffg for a while.

IME yes if you have a crud ring problem with T7 pellets you'll get it with loose as well. If causing you major worry might be worth trying an alternative like APP(FFFg) or BM3, failing that going back to Pyro is always an option.

I have limited experience with the PB's sorry. Most of those who I know that do use PB's are running 100gr loads. I'd say 85 - 105 loose T7 or 90-120 pyrodex.

As far as rifle choose the one that gives you the most confidence and then learn to shoot its perferred load at ranges you have put in place for the trip. If all equal go with the best shooter/load combination.

Best of Luck

I used powerbelts on Elk and it kills em dead
Its the only conical I could get to shoot out of an Omega, You still have a couple years yet so try different loads and see what shoots.
Redclub