flintlock elk

flintlock.50 · October 9, 2012, 06:11 PM

I should have posted this here instead of the black powder and bullet casting forums.

In took this elk in Wyoming last Monday. He came in to a cow elk call and I shot him at 40 yards. I was shooting a traditional flintlock pushing a round ball cast from wheel weight lead. He doesn't have a monster rack, but I'm ecstatic!

jmr40 · October 9, 2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

He doesn't have a monster rack, but I'm ecstatic!

I would be too. I respect you for your choice in a firearm. I don't muzzleload hunt, but if I ever start I don't want anything to do with modern inline rifles. I currently use my recurve during our primitave weapons season.

JWT · October 9, 2012, 07:04 PM

Very impressive sir. Nice looking flinter too. Congrats on your accomplishment.

Gbro · October 9, 2012, 07:36 PM

NICE!
I flashed my pan on 2 5X5's and one 6X6 over the years.
I was fortunate to take a nice big OLD cow this fall but my rifle mis-fired on the first attempt. Went off fine on the second try.
Congrat's!

Buzzcook · October 9, 2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

He came in to a cow elk call and I shot him at 40 yards.

What? That's impossible! Everyone knows you can't get closer to a Wyoming Elk than 450yds

Good hunting.

sc outdoorsman · October 9, 2012, 09:05 PM

Nice bull and impressive kill. I gave up the muzzleloader for a crossbow this year. I had a few bad experiences with moisture in the past. One in particular with a big buck chasing a doe at 15 yards. I really appreciate the difficulty involved.

doofus47 · October 9, 2012, 10:17 PM

called it in to 40 yards? Nice work. Nice bull for sure.

Edward429451 · October 10, 2012, 01:37 AM

Congrats on the fine Bull! Very cool that you got him at less than than 500 yards and with less than a 338 Weatherby Mag.

Jack O'Conner · October 10, 2012, 08:31 AM

That's a dandy bull and beautiful rifle. Did your bullet deform much after impact or did it pretty much retain it's round shape?

I shoot a 45 caliber flintlock but have not taken any game with it, yet.

Jack

Wyoredman · October 10, 2012, 09:44 AM

Very good! I love you elk bowlers! I have bowled for antelope, but never elk. Nice trophy and good eating, those rag-horns are some of the best table fare!

thallub · October 10, 2012, 10:00 AM

Congrats on the nice bull elk. Taken the old fashioned way too, i like that.

flintlock.50 · October 10, 2012, 11:20 AM

The ball actually split into two parts, which I found side by side under the far side skin. I'm not sure why the ball broke. I presume it hit a rib or something, though I did not get a good look at the ribs. The two parts total 96% of the original weight.

2damnold4this · October 10, 2012, 08:01 PM

Great job!

Gbro · October 11, 2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

pushing a round ball cast from wheel weight lead.

I have never used anything but pure lead in a muzzle loader. Is there any rifling marks in that bullet? what thickness patch are you using?
What is your bullet diameter?

Quote:

those rag-horns are some of the best table fare

What is "Rag-horn" about that bull??

Edward429451 · October 11, 2012, 01:42 PM

While not a BP shooter (yet), I'd be willing to bet that your ball split because it was cast from WW's. Go for pure lead.

Wyoredman · October 11, 2012, 04:40 PM

Gbro-

In Wyoming, a small 4 or 5 point bull (2+ age class) is generically refered to as a "rag horn". Nothing derogitory is ment when someone refers to shooting a "rag-horn", as most meat hunters prefer to harvest either a rag-horn or spike, as they are much easier on the pallet than the older "herd bulls".

By definition, the OP's Wyoming elk is a very fine example of a "rag-horn". One that he should be very, very proud to have harvested. And even prouder to have harvested with a flintlock!

I hope I have explained it, and absolutly no disrespect was ment.

markj · October 11, 2012, 04:44 PM

Man you rock. Nice elk there.

flintlock.50 · October 12, 2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

I have never used anything but pure lead in a muzzle loader. Is there any rifling marks in that bullet? what thickness patch are you using?
What is your bullet diameter?

Elsewhere I have posted about using hardened lead in a front stuffer. Most of my knowledge about that comes from the founder of Cast Performance Bullet Company, himself a builder of muzzle loading rifles and former serious competitor.

From the deformation of the two pieces of the ball, it is obvious the ball hit something that caused it to shear into two pieces. The two pieces were side by side under the far side skin, therefore the ball probably hit the far side rib. Had the ball broken by hitting the front side rib, the two pieces would not likely have traveled together to the far side, but would have diverged.

I can't identify any marks from rifling, though I've never found any rifling marks on pure lead balls recovered from game. They flatten too much to show any rifling. See the "ball" below, recovered from a small black bear. No way you will find any rifling marks.

The severe flattening of pure lead balls made me question their suitability for elk, where penetration of 30" or more might be required. That lead me to the "Cast Boolits" forum and ultimately to wheel weight lead.

For the elk I shot a 0.490" ball with a 0.015" patch. One piece of the ball recovered from the elk shows the impression of the patch material.

As for accuracy of wheel weight lead balls, see the 50 yard target below. I fired 10 shots of my hunting loads, though only 9 are clearly distinguishable.

Gbro · October 13, 2012, 08:28 PM

Certainly has no accuracy issues!
Years ago I damaged a round ball mold, (Lee), when I mistakenly added some alloy lead.
I might just have to play around with some hard cast round balls now that I have Lyman molds.

As for the rag horn definition, well I think this thread pictures a nice young 5X5 bull.

I will reserve the term Rag Horn for the young bulls that have unmatched spindley ugly antlers.

And to each his own.

327 FM · October 26, 2012, 06:55 PM

Remember the movie Jeremiah Johnson?

"You nailed him clean, pilgram!"

Congrats. Any animal with a flintlock is a trophy.

bswiv · October 26, 2012, 08:10 PM

I am impressed...........

flintlock.50 · October 27, 2012, 05:15 PM

Actually, the bull is a legitimate 6x6, though the #6 on both sides are small and one side is broken. I'm thrilled anyway.

BTW, thanks for all the congratulatory and complimentary replies.

stevelyn · October 28, 2012, 02:37 AM

Quote:

He doesn't have a monster rack, but I'm ecstatic!

It's still meat in the freezer. Never was able to cook an antler or horn tender enough to eat.

30Cal · October 28, 2012, 06:39 AM

Awesome!! Still working on bow season here, but I'll be taking my flintlock out for the rest of rifle + muzzleloader. Got a coyote with it last year when it was 10F outside, but no deer. This was the only pic I got (the rifle did much better in the cold than the camera battery).

I haven't had any moisture problems. My frizzen makes a good tight fit over the pan though; I keep it under a greased calves knee in the rain and replace the priming every 30min if it wet out (2hrs or so if it's nice). It goes bang 9 times out of 10.

tahoe2 · October 29, 2012, 12:46 AM

looks like one hell of a trophy to me! Congrats !!

October 9, 2012, 06:11 PM	#1
flintlock.50 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 233	flintlock elk I should have posted this here instead of the black powder and bullet casting forums. In took this elk in Wyoming last Monday. He came in to a cow elk call and I shot him at 40 yards. I was shooting a traditional flintlock pushing a round ball cast from wheel weight lead. He doesn't have a monster rack, but I'm ecstatic! __________________ NRA Benefactor member; NRA rifle and home firearm safety instructor; NMLRA member; NMLRA instructor for rifle, pistol and shotgun A government that takes from Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul's vote!

October 9, 2012, 07:36 PM	#4
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,084	NICE! I flashed my pan on 2 5X5's and one 6X6 over the years. I was fortunate to take a nice big OLD cow this fall but my rifle mis-fired on the first attempt. Went off fine on the second try. Congrat's! __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

October 9, 2012, 10:17 PM	#7
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	called it in to 40 yards? Nice work. Nice bull for sure. __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

October 10, 2012, 08:31 AM	#9
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	That's a dandy bull and beautiful rifle. Did your bullet deform much after impact or did it pretty much retain it's round shape? I shoot a 45 caliber flintlock but have not taken any game with it, yet. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

October 10, 2012, 09:44 AM	#10
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,350	Very good! I love you elk bowlers! I have bowled for antelope, but never elk. Nice trophy and good eating, those rag-horns are some of the best table fare! __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

October 9, 2012, 07:04 PM	#3
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Very impressive sir. Nice looking flinter too. Congrats on your accomplishment.

October 9, 2012, 09:05 PM	#6
sc outdoorsman Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Location: Western SC Posts: 208	Nice bull and impressive kill. I gave up the muzzleloader for a crossbow this year. I had a few bad experiences with moisture in the past. One in particular with a big buck chasing a doe at 15 yards. I really appreciate the difficulty involved.

October 10, 2012, 01:37 AM	#8
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Congrats on the fine Bull! Very cool that you got him at less than than 500 yards and with less than a 338 Weatherby Mag.

October 10, 2012, 10:00 AM	#11
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,112	Congrats on the nice bull elk. Taken the old fashioned way too, i like that.

October 10, 2012, 11:20 AM	#12
flintlock.50 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 233	The ball actually split into two parts, which I found side by side under the far side skin. I'm not sure why the ball broke. I presume it hit a rib or something, though I did not get a good look at the ribs. The two parts total 96% of the original weight. __________________ NRA Benefactor member; NRA rifle and home firearm safety instructor; NMLRA member; NMLRA instructor for rifle, pistol and shotgun A government that takes from Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul's vote!

October 10, 2012, 08:01 PM	#13
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	Great job!

October 11, 2012, 01:42 PM	#15
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	While not a BP shooter (yet), I'd be willing to bet that your ball split because it was cast from WW's. Go for pure lead.

October 11, 2012, 04:40 PM	#16
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,350	Gbro- In Wyoming, a small 4 or 5 point bull (2+ age class) is generically refered to as a "rag horn". Nothing derogitory is ment when someone refers to shooting a "rag-horn", as most meat hunters prefer to harvest either a rag-horn or spike, as they are much easier on the pallet than the older "herd bulls". By definition, the OP's Wyoming elk is a very fine example of a "rag-horn". One that he should be very, very proud to have harvested. And even prouder to have harvested with a flintlock! I hope I have explained it, and absolutly no disrespect was ment. __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

October 11, 2012, 04:44 PM	#17
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	Man you rock. Nice elk there.

October 13, 2012, 08:28 PM	#19
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,084	Certainly has no accuracy issues! Years ago I damaged a round ball mold, (Lee), when I mistakenly added some alloy lead. I might just have to play around with some hard cast round balls now that I have Lyman molds. As for the rag horn definition, well I think this thread pictures a nice young 5X5 bull. I will reserve the term Rag Horn for the young bulls that have unmatched spindley ugly antlers. And to each his own. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

October 26, 2012, 06:55 PM	#20
327 FM Member Join Date: July 3, 2012 Posts: 89	Remember the movie Jeremiah Johnson? "You nailed him clean, pilgram!" Congrats. Any animal with a flintlock is a trophy.

October 26, 2012, 08:10 PM	#21
bswiv Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: NE FL....... Posts: 1,081	I am impressed...........

October 27, 2012, 05:15 PM	#22
flintlock.50 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 233	Actually, the bull is a legitimate 6x6, though the #6 on both sides are small and one side is broken. I'm thrilled anyway. BTW, thanks for all the congratulatory and complimentary replies. __________________ NRA Benefactor member; NRA rifle and home firearm safety instructor; NMLRA member; NMLRA instructor for rifle, pistol and shotgun A government that takes from Peter to pay Paul can always count on Paul's vote!

October 28, 2012, 06:39 AM	#24
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	Awesome!! Still working on bow season here, but I'll be taking my flintlock out for the rest of rifle + muzzleloader. Got a coyote with it last year when it was 10F outside, but no deer. This was the only pic I got (the rifle did much better in the cold than the camera battery). I haven't had any moisture problems. My frizzen makes a good tight fit over the pan though; I keep it under a greased calves knee in the rain and replace the priming every 30min if it wet out (2hrs or so if it's nice). It goes bang 9 times out of 10.

October 29, 2012, 12:46 AM	#25
tahoe2 Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2011 Location: Seattle area Posts: 661	looks like one hell of a trophy to me! Congrats !!