Applyed for a muzleloader tag for elk. If I draw I have a 54 flinlock 1 in 66 twist, a TC omega 50 cal for rain days. What bullets would you guys suggest?

Well, for starters, you cannot use a Sabot--they are illegal. Powerbelts are OK, though. Go figure. And then there is the whole "Colorado Conical" thing.

We always used round balls and they worked when we found elk.

are you getting good performance with round balls? I've only shoot deer with them and my 54's don't seem to expand, but I've never found one , they always pass thru.

As long as your round ball is made of 100% lead, it will expand enough to make a “dead right there” kill. An accurate, well placed patched round ball will work just fine.

Don’t fall victim of the bullet manufactures advertising hip. They are trying to sell a product but that doesn’t mean that their product actually works (kills) any better than what people came up with 400 years ago.

Dead is just dead, there is no such thing as deader than dead.

Yes they worked for us. Both were 1 shot kills, one at 80 yards and the other one at 65 yards.

i took my first black powder elk in 2008 with a 54cal mountain rifle. 80gr pyrodex RS, .530 round ball @ 140 yards. She went 60 yards with a heavy blood trail. If the ball doesnt flatten out.... the 9/16" hole alone is going to be more than enough

guess I'll stick to roundballs in my flinter, and powerbelts in the Omega.

I would shoot a good heavy conical in either rifle. Tom.

You probably have plenty of time to work up loads. Took my group 11 years to get drawn as a group for blackpowder in Colorado. Good luck when you do get to go.

God Bless, Louis

Be sure and test the loads before you head out ! (Should be a given)

HEAD0001 mentioned to shoot conicals out of both rifles.


My T/C Omega didn't shoot conicals worth a crap, and did okay with a Powerbelt (Although I think the powerbelts are kinda soft)

With the twist on your flintlock, I would stick to a Patched round ball. The Round Ball will lay an elk out.

Keep yer flint sharp and yer powder dry!

Did you size the conicals to the bore on your Omega?? TC is pretty bad about a pretty large variance in bore size. So normally those bullets are going to need sized. But then I size all the bullets that I cast.

If you do not cast your own bullets. Then contact a good reputable guy who casts bullets, and order from him. Just make sure you measure your Omega bore first. That is the important question.

Even the slowest twist rates will shoot a conical if you size it properly. Or at least that has been my experience. I have shot conicals in several 1in66 round ball barrels.

I remember our first CO MZ elk hunt. We sent for a party permit. We were just expecting to acquire points. But we got our tags the first year And it was a great hunt. We hunted in the Paonia area. Tom.

I didn't get real in depth when I ordered conicals for the Omega. I ended up trying a bunch of bullet combinations in it (before selling it)



Not to fear though, I ordered my CVA Accura, as Cabelas is having a sale on some muzzleloaders right now...I'm really curious of these "Thor" bullets

Both of my Accuras, 2 wolfs, apex and optima take the .500" thor.

90-110gr blackhorn209 gets the job done with great accuracy.

No scopes allowed either - only open or iron sights for muzzle loaders.
The gun pictured above is not legal to use in Colorado during muzzle loading season.
Of course you could put in for a tag during rifle season and use such a muzzle loader.

T/C Maxiballs are devastating on elk. They only bullet I use for hunting in my muzzleloaders.