Elk bugle tubes... is bigger better?

[Aboyer35]

I am new to elk calling and was wondering what everyone’s thoughts were on bugle tubes. What does the size of the tube do? What are your thought on the Phelps un-rival-ed bugle tube? It’s smaller compared to renegade, unleashed or RM’s bully bull tube and does that matter? what works for you?

 

[backcountrymuzzy]

I have the elknut tube and did a comparison last season with a buddy that had the phelps tube. You might be able to get a little more volume out of the phelps, but nothing noteworthy. If you're good with the diaphragms the tube won't make a huge difference

 

[805Bowhunter]

Ive always wondered this. I have the Phelps tube and sometimes I think about going to something smaller just because it can be so dang big sometimes. Ive never done any comparison but like mentioned, I dont think it makes much difference for those that are good with diaphrams.

 

[BrentLaBere]

Better? No. More volume (louder) for your call, I would agree with that. I think at distance it is more considerable. But that may depend on which ones you are comparing. Some have different back pressures but that comes down to design.

 

[Tayler Wayne]

I have used the ElkNut bugle for the past two seasons (it’s no longer in production though ). Had a friend pick up a Phelps Tube and I concur with above. I think the Phelps Tube amplified the sound a little more. But the sound quality still depends on the quality of the sound from the mouth reed. One thing I would pay attention to is the size of the mouth end of the bugle. Some people lip bawl better with the smaller opening; some with the bigger opening. That’s something worth vetting before hand to see what works best for you.


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[rustneversleeps]

I've actually been looking at the smaller primos unrivaled tube. I like my RMGC Bully Bull a lot, but it is good sized.

 

[Jbehredt]

The small Phelps is SMALL. I think I can hear a difference. Perception is reality so I had a little buyers remorse about the third time I blew into the tiny Phelps. Never have carried it.

 

[BullElk]

One thing I would pay attention to is the size of the mouth end of the bugle. Some people lip bawl better with the smaller opening; some with the bigger opening. That’s something worth vetting before hand to see what works best for you.


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I’ll second that!

 

[5MilesBack]

I always let the elk decide which is best as I test new tubes every year, and I always end up with my original Elknut Chuckler.......the first one. But I modified it a little bit, and the bigger bulls seem to like that.

 

[ShakeDown]

I have the little Phelps tube, Rocky Mtn Bully Bull and just picked up the Renegade by Phelps. To me, it is actually pretty shocking how little the Unrivaled gives up. Resonance, depth and volume are all greater on the big tubes, but not as much as I would have guessed.

And it is super clutch to stuff the little tube into your cargo pocket and go.

 

[trophyhill]

Having a tube is a must have for me. I have all 3 versions of the Chuckler. One year I forgot my tube when I only had 1 tube. I cut and taped a few Gatorade bottles together and was back in business.

 

[trophyhill]

I always let the elk decide which is best as I test new tubes every year, and I always end up with my original Elknut Chuckler.......the first one. But I modified it a little bit, and the bigger bulls seem to like that.

I did a slight modification to mine as well. I like that this tube is flexible.

 

[kiddogy]

I never bother with a tube . just one more thing to carry and not necessary to have.

 

[GregB]

When I was growing up all the bugle tubes were 2 inch wide pieces of flexible plastic with a reed. They worked to call in bulls. I think more important than tube size is knowing what the elk are saying and understanding how to respond. The elk nut app is a great tool for learning those things.

 

[5MilesBack]

I've said it before, but I'd leave my bow at home before I left my bugle tube. Without it, I'm just another hunter on the mountain.

 

[wapitibob]

I threw 6 tubes in the trash yesterday when cleaning the man room; 2 Rocky mt, elknut, mossback, and a cpl I don't know the name of. They weren't "bad" just not the sound I needed and were taking up space. Go to Walgreens and buy a wiffle ball bat for $3.99. Cut the sleeve off an old camo shirt and use spray adhesive to glue it to the tube. Cut the ends and you're golden.

 

[rustneversleeps]

I threw 6 tubes in the trash yesterday when cleaning the man room; 2 Rocky mt, elknut, mossback, and a cpl I don't know the name of. They weren't "bad" just not the sound I needed and were taking up space. Go to Walgreens and buy a wiffle ball bat for $3.99. Cut the sleeve off an old camo shirt and use spray adhesive to glue it to the tube. Cut the ends and you're golden.

Threw em in the trash and bought a wiffle ball bat? I understand if you didn't have any calls and started with the wiffle ball bat...

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I always let the elk decide which is best as I test new tubes every year, and I always end up with my original Elknut Chuckler.......the first one. But I modified it a little bit, and the bigger bulls seem to like that.

What did you do to modify it?

 

[ElkNut1]

My Son & I have called in over 1000 bulls with a variety of Bugles, all will work as long as the caller does his part!

With that said the larger Phelps Bugle is getting the nod this year by us. I've been toying with it for a week or so & it has excellent resonance & tone quality! That Bugle coupled with the Gray Amp is our choice this year. We used the calls last year & they were awesome!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[chasewild]

If you don't have a bugle tube, you aren't hunting elk, and you definitely aren't killing bulls.