Elk and multiple shots

[cnelk]

I killed this bull 25 years ago with a 50cal Hawken I built in JH shop class in the 70s.

He came out following some cows and I shot him at 120yds.
He stopped so I reloaded and shot him again
Took a few steps, gave me time to reload so I drilled him again. And he fell.
All 3 shots went right through him

I was using the Hornady 385gr Great Plains bullet


If they are standing after the first round, I’m still shooting.

 

[MuleyFever]

I've never had an expansion issue with Thor bullets. They don't exit though.

 

[Del Gue]

I have only killed one of my elk with a muzzleloader. That was in 2023 Colorado. I shot mine at 200 yds with an all lead 460 grain Bullshop bullet. I shot him 3 times total. The first shot was a killing shot but since he was still standing, I kept on reloading and shooting.
Funny things is.........I have seen in the past how terrible PowerBelts have performed on whitetails through personal experience. I would never consider using them for elk. However, on my Colorado elk hunt, I talked to six other hunters that killed bulls, and they all were shooting PowerBelts. Go Figure!

 

[RockAndSage]

I'm sorry, but if you're not killing elk after putting a half-inch hole 2 feet into them or better, the problem is not the bullet or the gun.

An argument can be made that compared to modern bullets they suck, sure, but in absolute ability to kill they will hammer the $h*t out of anything you hit them with. WTF do you think happened to the buffalo? Almost made extinct with 77gr TMK? Or 400gr soft-lead slugs, flung with black powder?

 

[MarkOrtiz]

I shot my bull twice, just because I had time to reload and get a second shot on him. I was using bh209 and a Barnes 290 tmz and would definitely use this again. First shot he was quartering towards at about 190 yards. The bullet went in the crease between neck and shoulder and exited through the rear quarter. He ran about 30-40 yards and then stopped broadside and started to drop at his rear legs. I had reloaded and then shot him again at 230 yards. This went through both front shoulders and stopped about 1” from the offside hide after shattering both shoulders and going through everything between. He didn’t take a second step after the second shot.