What powder and ball is best for elk?

[Buck1972]

Heading to Colorado this fall for elk . I have only used sabot and powder pellets
Thanks

 

[ElDiablito]

Ball? I wouldn’t consider shooting a round ball at an elk.

Bullet? For CO elk, I like big lead conicals (450-600 gr) or the 300 ish gr Thor.

Powder depends on which rifle you’re using. Bh209 or 777.

 

[Billdoe]

I run triple 7 and thors. Brother runs triple 7 and federal copper bore locks.

 

[Buck1972]

Ok thanks - with some more research I have been seeing good things on the Thor and bh209

 

[fishslap]

I shoot patched Hornady round balls and 777 out of my percussion side lock gun. Same for my flintlock but goex instead of 777. They’re slower twist barrels made for round balls. I’m setting up a faster twist side lock percussion gun for 777 and no excuses conicals, but when I hunt elk with a muzzleloader it’s usually with patched round balls.

 

[FrontierGander]

My go to elk load, 70gr 3f or 80gr 2f with a .530" round ball.

My longest shot on a cow elk was 140 yards with 80gr pyrodex rs and .530 round ball. That was a heck of a hunt!

Knowing what rifle you're shooting would be a great starting point to lead you in the right direction.

 

[TaperPin]

If you need an all lead projectile, the Maxi ball has been around forever and gave me great accuracy.

 

[HighUintas]

My go to elk load, 70gr 3f or 80gr 2f with a .530" round ball.

My longest shot on a cow elk was 140 yards with 80gr pyrodex rs and .530 round ball. That was a heck of a hunt!

Knowing what rifle you're shooting would be a great starting point to lead you in the right direction.

What was the result of that 140yd shot? I haven't shot an elk with my 58 balls yet

 

[FrontierGander]

What was the result of that 140yd shot? I haven't shot an elk with my 58 balls yet

60 yard recovery. Ball dropped approx 9 inches, both lungs were completely shattered. Literally, there were dozens of "cracks/lines " running through both lungs. She bled nicely, leaving a blood trail through the oak brush that was easy to follow.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

+1 for heavy lead conicals. I've had whitetail offside shoulders stop a thor 250

 

[guitarpreston]

I'm currently shooting bore driver eld-x. They shoot great but no experience with them on animals yet. Currently using 100gr 777 but will switch to bh209 once the bass pro opens in town and I don't have to pay shipping or haz.

 

[WCB]

777 FFFG 90gr (volume) Federal Copper Bore Lock. Haven't shot an elk with them but know and seen plenty of people that have. I've killed a bunch of deer with them out to 200yds.