NM Elk Muzzleloader setup

[roymunson]

Buddy invited me out to hunt NM for elk this fall, if I can locate a landowner tag.

Getting conflicting reports on what's legal and what isn't.

In Ohio, you can use a scope, sabots, and smokeless powder if you want.

I understand open sights and smokeless powder, but am seeing different things regarding sabots.

For my Ohio deer I use TC shockwaves and 200 grain bullets. They work well. Can someone push me down the right road for setting up an elk rig? I have a TC Triump, a CVA Optima, and recently picket up a wood stock TC Encore with muzzleloader barrel on it.

I'm a newbie to this side of it, but really enjoy reloading and figuring it out. If anyone can shed light on what's legal and point me in the direction of load development I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[ElDiablito]

Regular NM muzzy regs allow open sights only, black or subs (no smokeless) and sabots or full-bore conicals.

So, I’d use a good saboted 300 gr bullet or something like a 300 gr Thor or a 350 gr BOR Lock. Those 200s are way too light for elk.

 

[roymunson]

Was planning on going heavier, just didn't know how ridiculously heavy you needed to go.

Sounds like some time at the range is in order. Didn't know if someone had a good starting load to go with and work off of.

 

[ElDiablito]

Pick one of your TCs. Id use a scope for load development and start at about 115 grV of Bh209 with one of the above 300 -350 gr bullets. If the groups aren’t in the neighborhood of 1.5”, I’d drop the charge by 5 gr and try again.

 

[Bob L.]

Used Barnes 290 TEZ sabot with 209 primer and powder last year. He went about 20 yards.

 

[LCguy]

Killed my NM elk last year with a Barnes 290gr. T-EZ in a Harvester crush rib sabot over 90gr/v Triple 7 loose powder. I would've gone more powder but was just too dang accurate at 90. According to Barnes, that load would've achieved proper bullet expansion to about 175 yatds. I would not go a single grain lighter than that for elk.

 

[jburman]

NM doesnt allow ANY type of optic, including un-magnified red dots. No smokeless powder either. Sabots are perfectly fine, and heavier is better. I personally use a Rem 700ml with 300 grain Hornady SST bullets and have dropped multiple elk in their tracks with full pass throughs using two pellets of 50/50 pyrodex.

Definitely put in some range time with 300+ grain bullets, and make sure you have enough powder behind them to get good expansion.

 

[efing001]

Does anyone here have a muzzle break on the muzzy? I’m thinking about getting the TC triumph threaded

 

[CMF]

Does anyone here have a muzzle break on the muzzy? I’m thinking about getting the TC triumph threaded

I have one on a CVA Accura MRX. Pretty sure it's an Anarchy. Definitely worth it to reduce recoil.

 

[ElDiablito]

Does anyone here have a muzzle break on the muzzy? I’m thinking about getting the TC triumph threaded

Yeah I run brakes on several SML muzzys. I’ve got a couple side-port brakes and a radial. With big bullets at high speed the side ports are nice. You have to use a load through funnel though so slower and more of a PITA to load. And of course the style you use depends on the bullets you’re shooting. Generally you cannot use a side port with sabots.

 

[guitarpreston]

Does anyone here have a muzzle break on the muzzy? I’m thinking about getting the TC triumph threaded

Im using a hankins brake on my smokeless omega, planning to take it off just before season and reverify everything. A crushed funnel is a day ender.

 

[roymunson]

Generally you cannot use a side port with sabots.

Could you explain this? Is it because the sabot will catch on the way out?

I bought this one for one of my guns and didn't anticipate the sabot not working

Muzzle-Loaders™ Muzzle Brake - .50 Caliber - 3/4x24 Threads - MZ1502

The Muzzle-Loaders™ Muzzle Brake Fits the CVA Paramount & Accura rifles. Directional Port Muzzle Brake effectively reduces the felt recoil experienced while firing the Paramount Muzzleloader. Best Prices. Fast Shipping. Expert Advice!

muzzle-loaders.com

 

[ElDiablito]

Could you explain this? Is it because the sabot will catch on the way out?

I bought this one for one of my guns and didn't anticipate the sabot not working

Muzzle-Loaders™ Muzzle Brake - .50 Caliber - 3/4x24 Threads - MZ1502

The Muzzle-Loaders™ Muzzle Brake Fits the CVA Paramount & Accura rifles. Directional Port Muzzle Brake effectively reduces the felt recoil experienced while firing the Paramount Muzzleloader. Best Prices. Fast Shipping. Expert Advice!

muzzle-loaders.com

Yes, it may catch on the ports (unless the brake bore is substantially over-bored) resulting in increased dispersion, a brake strike and/or pieces of sabot exiting the ports.

That brake is advertised as a full-bore bullet brake, if I’m reading it right.

 

[CMF]

You have to use a load through funnel though so slower and more of a PITA to load.

I use a long funnel for powder (bh209), but not one I can load the bullet through. Are you saying the load through(bullet) are more PITA? I was actually thinking of trying the next time we have a muzzy hunt.
I haven't had an issue just dropping the bullet in through the brake.

 

[roymunson]

I use a long funnel for powder (bh209), but not one I can load the bullet through. Are you saying the load through(bullet) are more PITA? I was actually thinking of trying the next time we have a muzzy hunt.
I haven't had an issue just dropping the bullet in through the brake.

I may have misunderstood, but I thought he meant it'd affect the sabot on the way out of the barrel

 

[guitarpreston]

I use a long funnel for powder (bh209), but not one I can load the bullet through. Are you saying the load through(bullet) are more PITA? I was actually thinking of trying the next time we have a muzzy hunt.
I haven't had an issue just dropping the bullet in through the brake.

Pretty sure he means it's just one more item to manage in the field. Theoretically, depending on the bullet design, you could have some alignment inconsistencies dropping it in there.

For me, though its just one less thing to worry about after driving 15 hours to the mountains, so I pour my powder straight in or use a cedar mtn, and no brake. I'd rather have a bit more recoil than an issue because I lost or broke my funnel.

 

[ElDiablito]

Using any funnel, as Preston says, makes the process more complicated. I use a load through funnel for powder and bullet. You may be able to drop a bullet or maybe even a sabot through a brake in a pinch but I wouldn’t unless I had to. Misalignment and/or damaging the base of the bullet would be risks. Both bad. The ability to do this would depend on the crown, brake design and bullet design, I would think.

 

[CMF]

You may be able to drop a bullet or maybe even a sabot through a brake in a pinch but I wouldn’t unless I had to. Misalignment and/or damaging the base of the bullet would be risks. Both bad. The ability to do this would depend on the crown, brake design and bullet design, I would think.

I haven't had any issues. Mainly shooting Powerbelt ELRs and Thor 300grn. They drop right in through the brake, no issue. I've shot a few sabots when I first got it dialed in don't remember any issue with those either.

, so I pour my powder straight in or use a cedar mtn, and no brake. I'd rather have a bit more recoil than an issue because I lost or broke my funnel.

I also considered getting a Cedar Mountain quick loader. It looks like it should load powder through the brake, no problem.
The recoil was a bigger concern for me cause the kids shoot it. My daughters killed a bull with it, and my son has missed one with our cva, but killed the one in my pic with the tc we had before.
Pic below for those wondering what the cedar mtn looks like.

 

[guitarpreston]

The recoil reduction is real and can help mitigate bad habits. That’s why I use a break in training but not hunting. I’ll burn a lot of powder over the off season for 1 shot in the fall. That one usually doesn’t kick

 

[ElDiablito]

The Cedar Mtn Quick Loader is great. I recommend them to everyone whether you’re using a brake or not.

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