Muzzleloader elk question

[Idahome12]

460 grain No Excuses kills them every time!

 

[eyeguy]

We have had those sst not open well on deer. Like 100 percent snow covering the ground and shot through the chest with no blood trail. Saw the deer go down in one case and next morning in another case backtracked without blood.

 

[Jimss]

I had great luck shooting to 200 yards with sabots in Utah where they were legal. It took several weeks of shooting to be comfortable shooting at 200 yards with a 1x scope. The drop at 200 yards actually wasn't bad with sabots. I ended up shooting a whopper bull at 218 yards (took 2 lung shots).

This year I took the 1x scope off and converted to a peep site and Hornady Bore Drivers that were legal for moose here in Colorado. I didn't have much time to practice but was super confident to 100 yards with the Colorado set up. My moose took 2 shots at 10 and then 15 yards through the lungs. When I skinned the cape I only found entrance holes....which suprised me at such short yardage. The lung cavity was nothing but blood.

One thing I have noticed with a muzzy is they don't have the dropping power of a rifle nor the bleeeding power of a broadhead. There are likely elk that drop in their tracks but I wouldn't count on it with a muzzy. Make sure you have a great shot at the lethals with a muzzy!

 

[Smtn10pt]

Treat your shot placement with a muzzleloader like a bow, not a center-fire rifle. I had poor luck with the Thor bullets on a NM hunt, cant say for sure what happened because the elk were never recovered. I called in a small bull for a buddy in Colorado a few years ago. He shot it at 10 yards with a 460 gr no excuses. Didn't get a pass through but bullet was mushroomed out against the hide on the far side. If I elk hunt with a muzz again it will probably be that same bullet in my gun.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

My moose took 2 shots at 10 and then 15 yards through the lungs. When I skinned the cape I only found entrance holes....which suprised me at such short yardage.

I wanna know how the hell you're getting 3 shots off at an animal within 15 yards. Are you The Flash?!? Lol

Treat your shot placement with a muzzleloader like a bow, not a center-fire rifle. I had poor luck with the Thor bullets on a NM hunt, cant say for sure what happened because the elk were never recovered. I called in a small bull for a buddy in Colorado a few years ago. He shot it at 10 yards with a 460 gr no excuses. Didn't get a pass through but bullet was mushroomed out against the hide on the far side. If I elk hunt with a muzz again it will probably be that same bullet in my gun.

So no "high shoulder" shot for Elk? I have a ML hunt coming up for a similarly sized animal (Nilgai) and was planning to hit the high shoulder because once they get into the brush it's a painful recovery no matter how short.

 

[Dwnw/theAltitudesickness]

Hornady sst. 2 bulls, many deer, all animals under 200 yards almost all behind the shoulder in the lungs. Yet to see how the hornady bore drivers work. Hope to try them out on an animal next year.

 

[Smtn10pt]

I wanna know how the hell you're getting 3 shots off at an animal within 15 yards. Are you The Flash?!? Lol

So no "high shoulder" shot for Elk? I have a ML hunt coming up for a similarly sized animal (Nilgai) and was planning to hit the high shoulder because once they get into the brush it's a painful recovery no matter how short.

I wouldn’t based on my experiences. Other people may advise it, you’ll have to test your setup and make a decision based on what you are seeing. Good luck on your hunt!

 

[Jimss]

My first shot at this years moose was at 10 paces and he staggered by me standing next to a tree. He then stood at 15 yards while I reloaded and I shot him again. Neither bullet went all the way through even at point-blank range. I shot him through the lungs just behind the shoulder.

I use speed loaders. I may not have gotten all the powder in the barrel my 2nd shot because I was shaking so bad.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I use speed loaders. I may not have gotten all the powder in the barrel my 2nd shot because I was shaking so bad.

99% chance I would've somehow managed to shoot myself lol. Nice work man!

 

[Jimss]

Thanks HS! I likely didn’t get all of the powder down the muzzy barrel I was shaking so bad! I sure wish I would have had a GoPro on my head. It’s amazing how big those critters are when they are standing next to you!