Elk and bullet weight

[hooker]

Have a sweet SS TC Firehawk . Believe it's a 1in 38 Twist. Been running a 295gr and 300gr bullet. But thinking of going lighter. Just looking to extend range without more powder and yet effectivly take down elk.

Thoughts?

 

[philw]

Can you use scopes where you hunt?

 

[bearguide]

for elk i would stay with the heaver bullet

 

[philw]

I would too, I use 348's and they're at the lower limit IMO. Only reason I asked about the scope is that if you can't use one and need to use open sights, most people are limited to ranges where a lighter bullet doesn't buy you anything in terms of flatter trajectory. Which is the only reason I can see for going lighter.

 

[robby denning]

philw is right. If you can't take advantage of magnifying scopes, you can't really take advantage of the lighter bullets. I tried by developing a load with a scope on and could shoot to 200+ yards with great accuracy (2-3" 3-shot groups) and mathematically had the energy I still needed.

When I pulled the scope off and put on a great peep, I couldn't get passed about 125 yards with great accuracy. Yes, I could throw lead into 10" circles beyond 150 but that is just not a good deal when you start shooting at live animals in real scenarios with no bench and adrenaline. I just resolved to get closer. Lord' willin' I'll have a muzz tag this year.

 

[LNGBOWFLYER]

Utah are jacketed bullets legal in Utah? Or do they have to he 100% lead?

 

[robby denning]

LNGBOWFLYER
Sorry, I didn't see that no one answered your post. From the Utah Game Regs Book, it doesn't say they aren't allowed (see bullet point 7), so I surmise they are allowed. Anyone else know for sure?

Muzzleloaders
Utah Code § 23-20-3 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-5-10
Muzzleloaders may be used during any big
game hunt—except the archery hunt. To hunt
big game with a muzzleloader, your muzzleloader
must meet all of the following requirements:
• It can be loaded only from the muzzle.
• It must have open sights, peep sights or a
fixed non-magnifying 1x scope.
• It can have only one barrel, and the barrel
must be at least 18 inches long.
• It cannot be capable of firing more than
once without being reloaded.
• The powder and bullet—or powder, sabot
and bullet—cannot be bonded together as
one unit for loading.
• It must be loaded with black powder or a
black powder substitute. The black powder
or black power substitute cannot contain
smokeless powder, but may contain some
nitrocellulose.
• To hunt big game, you must use a lead or
expanding bullet or projectile that’s at least
40 caliber in size.
• If you’re hunting deer or pronghorn, your
bullet must be 130 grains or heavier, or your
sabot must be 170 grains or heavier.
• If you’re hunting elk, moose, bison, bighorn
sheep or Rocky Mountain goats, you must
use a 210-grain or heavier bullet, or a sabot
bullet that’s at least 240 grains.