Elk bullet and loads

[wilded]

I have just ordered a 10ML ll and would appreciate some bullet and load suggestions for long range elk. Thanks, ET.

[2Savage]

My choice is a .458 Barnes X 350 gr. loaded with 12gr N-110 and 68gr H-322 with an MMP sub-base. This is with a single hole vent liner and Federal 209's. In my gun, This is good for 2480fps and groups under an inch.

You'll need to work up to this load and make sure its not to hot for you gun.

[edge]

wilded said:

I have just ordered a 10ML ll and would appreciate some bullet and load suggestions for long range elk. Thanks, ET.

Perhaps you could give your definition of "Long Range"?
Muzzleloader long range or Centerfire Rifle long range??

FYI, If I recall, we had someone on this site post that he lost an Elk with a "good" shoulder shot using a 300 grain XTP at fairly close range. ( please correct me if I am wrong ).

edge.

[wilded]

Long range muzzleloading to me is the 150 to 250 yard zone. Thanks, ET

[edge]

2Savage said:

My choice is a .458 Barnes X 350 gr. loaded with 12gr N-110 and 68gr H-322 with an MMP sub-base. This is with a single hole vent liner and Federal 209's. In my gun, This is good for 2480fps and groups under an inch.
SNIP.

At 4800 FT/Lbs. I would say that this would qualify as an Elk load! This is every bit the power of a 458 Win Mag!! With the recoil to boot :-)

B.C. 0.402 (Barnes)

edge.

A more "modest" loading at say 2100 fps will start off at 3400 Ft/Lbs and still have 2100 Ft/Lbs at 250 yds. and only be 8-9 inches low!

[simonkenton]

I have never hunted elk but I would love to take my Savage out and try.
Would not the 300 SST and 43 gr of N110 be a good elk load?

[Predator II]

:)I think the Barnes 300 grain X bullet (.458) would be a great bullet to shoot Elk with. Get a load worked up at about 2400 fps. and it would be a real killer. I used the Barnes 300 Expander MZ but the range was close. The X bullet has a much better B.C.

[edge]

simonkenton said:

SNIP

Would not the 300 SST and 43 gr of N110 be a good elk load?

I haven't been pummelled recently, so I'll have my say :-)

1) Sectional Density of 0.210 is towards the LOW end.

2) A bullet that is prone to jacket seperation and fragmentation

I'll assume :-) 2200fps for this load?

IMO, Take only shotlines of an "arrow"! If you have a Bull Elk at 30 yards, would you release the arrow, if yes, then take the shot with this bullet assuming that you have enough remaining energy for a clean kill. 150yds MAX. would be my guess.

IMO, I would look for a tougher bullet JUST IN CASE you hit more than a rib!!

edge.

[Predator II]

:I have t agree with Edge, the only elk I ever shot a 5X5 bull was hit at 50 yards with a 300 grain Barnes EXpander MZ powered by 45 grains of Lil-Gun. I'm guessing the velocity at 2350 fps. This bull took the hit behind the near shoulder and the only reaction to the shot was to turn 90 degrees and walk away. He took abut 15 steps and went down. I thought for a moment I had missed with no reacton on his part. These animals are tougher than you think and the bullet and load had better be up to less than ideal bullet placement that sometimes can happen. Be prepared for the worst that can happen just in case.

[edge]

Predator II,

Can you elaborate on what the bullet actually hit, how much penetration you got, and the shape of the recovered bullet? I'll assume the bullet was recovered!

edge.

[edge]

OOOPS THIS SITE IS PASSWORD PROTECTED THE LINK WILL NOT WORK.........SORRY.

edge.

Suggested reading.

www.chuckhawks.com/elk_cartridges.htm

Use your judgement accordingly.

edge.

[no link]

Edge

the link doesnt work for me?

[2Savage]

In my experience, 300gr Barnes mz's shed petals at normal muzzleloder velocities. I'm not interested in trying them 300-400fps faster, that's why I picked the 350gr .458 Barnes X. I agree the 300/.458 would also be a good bullet, but my gun likes the 350 better and it has a sig. higher BC.

Recoil off the bench gets your attention, use a sissy bag. In the field, shooting at an elk, you'll never feel the gun go off.

As to the 300 SST, way too fragile for elk at Savage velocites, but I'll bet its a great elk bullet at 2000fps or so.

[Ross]

Last year I saw a Moose shot at 187 yrds and another shot at 103. The Bull at 187 was hit behind the front shoulder it hit a rib going in and it was just inside the hide on the other side 25 yards and dead. The other Bull at 103 had the back bone shot clean through and dropped in its tracks. Both were shot with 100 grains of pyrodex and a 295 powerbelt bullet. Velocity was 1700 at the muzzle.

[steve gordon]

If you're going to Colorado, forget nitro based powders and scopes unless you hunt during the rifle season. I used a PowerBelt and Clean Shot and did very well at 60 yards, the bull being knocked over by the shot. But I hit his spine.

RE bullelt expansion: My first elk took 9 count em 9 hits from my 30 06 at two hundred yards, six of them through the boiler room, and the last through the neck. (I confess my hands were shaking when I had to reload). None of the bullets expanded; they were all good hits to the chest and broke nothing but rib. I haven't shot a Nosler Partition since. Bullet placement is critical, but on a critter the size of an elk, I think you're best off aiming for base of the neck. IMHO

[RBinAR]

8-)EDGE is going to be surprised. I have taken two elk and both were with a 350 grain .458 Speer bullet. Yeah at the speeds 2Savage and I shoot it kicks but elk are tough. I like some speed and a tough bullet (it does not have to be invulnerable but tough enough). If this load won't kill it, it won't die!

For pure BIG game hunting I suggest the .458 caliber bullets. There are true big game bullets in this caliber and the orange sabots are very good for accuracy. I also suggest a little speed 2200fps or more if possible on your shoulder.

The weights of these bullets put them in a very good position for load developement. With the three hole liner almost any powder that shoots in the 444 Marlin, 45-70, or even .458 Winchester is good for some really fast loads. I like 75 grains of Xmr-2015.

[edge]

2Savage said:

In my experience, 300gr Barnes mz's shed petals at normal muzzleloder velocities. I'm not interested in trying them 300-400fps faster,
SNIP.

Contrary to what most people think, there is considerable evidence that a FLAT cylinder is a superior shape for terminal performance. The MZ losing its petals is a GOOD design feature, and the faster it hits the better it performs.

I do feel that bullet selection is somewhat like the bedding job on my rifle. It gives me more confidence, and at the moment of truth I think that that makes a big difference on the squeeze.

edge.

[Predator II]

Edge I hit this bull just behind the near shoulder and it angled back through one lung and the liver. It lodged under the hide on the far side and cut a rib going in and a rib toward the back of the rib cage when it stopped. The bullet was perfectly expanded and all four petals intact. The lung and liver were really torn up. I didn't hit the shoulder bone so don't know how it would have performed with that bullet placement. It penetrated about 30 inches. The bullet traveled in a straight line the bull was quartering to more than I thought when I shot.

[Ronmar]

I plan on using the Hornaday 250 gr SST in colorado this year with 46 gr of N110 for 2400 fps+. This is the same load (and gun) my uncle used to kill a 1200 lb. bull buffalo (see Toby's web page for the article). This laod should be good out to 200 yds.

[RBinAR]

simonkenton said:

I have never hunted elk but I would love to take my Savage out and try.
Would not the 300 SST and 43 gr of N110 be a good elk load?

Sorry I missed this question along the way? simon I'd say this is a very good elk load despite the fact that I have recommended some heavier bullets the 300 grain bullet is very good at moderate and near distance.

[simonkenton]

RB thanks for that reply.
I read Ronmar's story months ago on Toby's forum.
If you can kill a buffalo with the 250 SST it seems like the 300 would be primo for elk.