I need a good 50 cal ML elk bullet-no sabot

Mobuck · February 20, 2010, 09:53 AM

I'm spending the summer in Colorado on a job there. I hope to draw an elk tag for the area I'll be working in since I'll have plenty of time to scout. Colorado regulations are basically forcing me to start over with my muzzleloader since they don't allow sabots, pellets, or scopes. I'm looking at PowerBelt's 295 grain plain lead hollow point as my first choice. I've seen some indications of lack of expansion with these and would like some personal experience input.

grubbylabs · February 20, 2010, 11:29 AM

My brother in law has taken two spikes with a .54 cal round ball. Can't see that your .50 would be that much a disadvantage to that. They were both right around 150 yards.

mykeal · February 20, 2010, 04:06 PM

.50 cal is inadequate for elk unless the range is 50 yards or less and the shooter is a very good shot, regardless of the projectile. In my opinion. If you're stuck with .50 cal, use a prb, 90 gr or more of real black and practice a lot. And keep the range to an absolute max of 75 yards.

Doyle · February 20, 2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

.50 cal is inadequate for elk unless the range is 50 yards or less and the shooter is a very good shot, regardless of the projectile.

Please tell me what piece of evidence supports this brilliant conclusion. There are thousands of elk killed cleanly every year with .50 cal and at much more than 50 yds.

chasman · February 20, 2010, 08:44 PM

im going to have to disagree mykeal, being from colorado and taken quite a few elk with my 50 cal and lots of friends out here that have as well. With shots out to 150 yards. And I probably could stretch an elk kill out to 200 but thats just my preference. Use the powerbelts 348 grain and youll have no problem whatsoever. Ive guided elk hunts out here for the past ten years, if you pm me and tell me what gmu you will be in Id be glad to give you some input.

chasman · February 20, 2010, 09:00 PM

forgot to add you dont want to use the hollow point on elk. Use the areotip design what youre after is maximum penetration not expansion on an elk. As far as powder My advice would be triple 7 and 100 to 120 grains depending on how your rifle shoots. Ive seen several nice bulls over the years collapse on the spot with 100 grains and that areotip powerbelt.

mykeal · February 20, 2010, 11:31 PM

Pigeon River State Forest, MI.

arcticap · February 21, 2010, 03:14 PM

Hornady makes the 300 grain & 350 grain FPB which is a precision made jacketed minie style hollow base conical bullet. The plastic tip can even be removed if necessary to meet state bullet length requirements.

http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-300-gr-FPB/

http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-350-gr-FPB/

There's also the pure copper Thor conicals based on the proven Barnes X Bullet design that come in 3 diameters for .50 caliber (.501, .502 & .503) each offered with 250 grain and 300 grain weights. Contact them for free samples.

http://www.thorbullets.com/

http://www.thorbullets.com/Products.html

Here's 2 specialty conical manufacturers that offer sizing options:

Bull Shop conicals:

http://bullshop.gunloads.com/

http://bullshop.gunloads.com/tbs_mlbullets.htm

No Excuses conicals:

http://www.muzzleloading-bullets.com/

http://www.muzzleloading-bullets.com...es/Page319.htm

February 20, 2010, 09:53 AM	#1
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I need a good 50 cal ML elk bullet-no sabot I'm spending the summer in Colorado on a job there. I hope to draw an elk tag for the area I'll be working in since I'll have plenty of time to scout. Colorado regulations are basically forcing me to start over with my muzzleloader since they don't allow sabots, pellets, or scopes. I'm looking at PowerBelt's 295 grain plain lead hollow point as my first choice. I've seen some indications of lack of expansion with these and would like some personal experience input.

February 20, 2010, 11:29 AM	#2
grubbylabs Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Hansen Idaho Posts: 1,465	My brother in law has taken two spikes with a .54 cal round ball. Can't see that your .50 would be that much a disadvantage to that. They were both right around 150 yards. __________________ * (Swinging club) Whack! whack! whack! * Nope, the old nag's still dead . (Capt Charlie)

February 21, 2010, 03:14 PM	#8
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Hornady makes the 300 grain & 350 grain FPB which is a precision made jacketed minie style hollow base conical bullet. The plastic tip can even be removed if necessary to meet state bullet length requirements. http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-300-gr-FPB/ http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-350-gr-FPB/ There's also the pure copper Thor conicals based on the proven Barnes X Bullet design that come in 3 diameters for .50 caliber (.501, .502 & .503) each offered with 250 grain and 300 grain weights. Contact them for free samples. http://www.thorbullets.com/ http://www.thorbullets.com/Products.html Here's 2 specialty conical manufacturers that offer sizing options: Bull Shop conicals: http://bullshop.gunloads.com/ http://bullshop.gunloads.com/tbs_mlbullets.htm No Excuses conicals: http://www.muzzleloading-bullets.com/ http://www.muzzleloading-bullets.com...es/Page319.htm Last edited by arcticap; February 21, 2010 at 03:42 PM.

February 20, 2010, 04:06 PM	#3
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	.50 cal is inadequate for elk unless the range is 50 yards or less and the shooter is a very good shot, regardless of the projectile. In my opinion. If you're stuck with .50 cal, use a prb, 90 gr or more of real black and practice a lot. And keep the range to an absolute max of 75 yards.

February 20, 2010, 08:44 PM	#5
chasman Member Join Date: January 23, 2010 Location: park county colorado Posts: 30	im going to have to disagree mykeal, being from colorado and taken quite a few elk with my 50 cal and lots of friends out here that have as well. With shots out to 150 yards. And I probably could stretch an elk kill out to 200 but thats just my preference. Use the powerbelts 348 grain and youll have no problem whatsoever. Ive guided elk hunts out here for the past ten years, if you pm me and tell me what gmu you will be in Id be glad to give you some input.

February 20, 2010, 09:00 PM	#6
chasman Member Join Date: January 23, 2010 Location: park county colorado Posts: 30	forgot to add you dont want to use the hollow point on elk. Use the areotip design what youre after is maximum penetration not expansion on an elk. As far as powder My advice would be triple 7 and 100 to 120 grains depending on how your rifle shoots. Ive seen several nice bulls over the years collapse on the spot with 100 grains and that areotip powerbelt.

February 20, 2010, 11:31 PM	#7
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Pigeon River State Forest, MI.