First time hunter here...

Lever Action Man · April 26, 2007, 08:53 PM

I've never hunted Elk before and I have a question on the bullet requirements for all you great hunters. The rules for centerfire rifle on bullets used says we must use expanding bullets. I'm assuming LFP for my .45-70 is out of the question or is it? I would appreciate your comments.

mrawesome22 · April 26, 2007, 09:05 PM

I would guess that will work very well on elk. I'm no expert, but if it will kill a buffalo, surely an elk would be no problem.

Fat White Boy · April 26, 2007, 09:32 PM

Not a problem....

Lever Action Man · April 26, 2007, 09:45 PM

appreciate the comments guys. But I was curious about the rule of using an expanding bullet for hunting. Does this mean you can use anything but ball round?

taylorce1 · April 26, 2007, 10:25 PM

Most States require an expanding bullet to hunt game with. This generally means no Full Metal Jacket military ammunition or Copper Solids like what is used in an African dangerous game hunts. I think even a hard cast lead bullet would qualify as an expanding bullet.

Lever Action Man · April 26, 2007, 10:27 PM

Thanks taylorce1

mrawesome22 · April 26, 2007, 10:41 PM

I imagine a soft lead bullet would mushroom nicely on such a large animal.

kametc · April 26, 2007, 11:26 PM

In Montana there are no caliber or ammunition restrictions other than you cannot use exploding projectiles. So let you concience be your guide and have at it. People commonly shoot at elk with 30-30's, not saying that is the best choice but it for the most part works. The 45-70 is way more powerful than that. I know people who shoot elk with .54 cal muzzelloader and a minnie ball. Know your own limits and hit what your shooting at.

Jseime · April 27, 2007, 08:28 PM

If you get close enough the .45-70 will really knock an Elk down with authority. Any bullet you can find for a .45-70 will be legal to hunt with becuase im pretty sure the surplus supply has dried up. The only limitation you have is range. Knkow the limitations of the rifle and youll have a great hunt.

Dave Haven · April 27, 2007, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Any bullet you can find for a .45-70 will be legal to hunt with becuase im pretty sure the surplus supply has dried up.

Wiping beer off my monitor...

CarbineCaleb · April 27, 2007, 10:15 PM

Jacketed soft points give deep penetration, but expand at velocities over ~ 1300fps, I believe. They are a compromise between jacketed hollow points and hard cast solids in terms of the expansion/penetration tradeoff.

April 26, 2007, 08:53 PM	#1
Lever Action Man Junior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 5	First time hunter here... I've never hunted Elk before and I have a question on the bullet requirements for all you great hunters. The rules for centerfire rifle on bullets used says we must use expanding bullets. I'm assuming LFP for my .45-70 is out of the question or is it? I would appreciate your comments.

April 26, 2007, 11:26 PM	#8
kametc Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2007 Location: S W , Montana Posts: 206	In Montana there are no caliber or ammunition restrictions other than you cannot use exploding projectiles. So let you concience be your guide and have at it. People commonly shoot at elk with 30-30's, not saying that is the best choice but it for the most part works. The 45-70 is way more powerful than that. I know people who shoot elk with .54 cal muzzelloader and a minnie ball. Know your own limits and hit what your shooting at. __________________ "Allons" Blackhorse Troopers !

April 27, 2007, 08:28 PM	#9
Jseime Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,775	If you get close enough the .45-70 will really knock an Elk down with authority. Any bullet you can find for a .45-70 will be legal to hunt with becuase im pretty sure the surplus supply has dried up. The only limitation you have is range. Knkow the limitations of the rifle and youll have a great hunt. __________________ I love the smell of fresh shotgun in the morning.

April 27, 2007, 10:15 PM	#11
CarbineCaleb Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2004 Posts: 2,745	Jacketed soft points give deep penetration, but expand at velocities over ~ 1300fps, I believe. They are a compromise between jacketed hollow points and hard cast solids in terms of the expansion/penetration tradeoff. __________________ “Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think.” Niels Bohr

April 26, 2007, 09:05 PM	#2
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I would guess that will work very well on elk. I'm no expert, but if it will kill a buffalo, surely an elk would be no problem.

April 26, 2007, 09:32 PM	#3
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	Not a problem....

April 26, 2007, 09:45 PM	#4
Lever Action Man Junior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 5	appreciate the comments guys. But I was curious about the rule of using an expanding bullet for hunting. Does this mean you can use anything but ball round?

April 26, 2007, 10:25 PM	#5
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	Most States require an expanding bullet to hunt game with. This generally means no Full Metal Jacket military ammunition or Copper Solids like what is used in an African dangerous game hunts. I think even a hard cast lead bullet would qualify as an expanding bullet.

April 26, 2007, 10:27 PM	#6
Lever Action Man Junior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 5	Thanks taylorce1

April 26, 2007, 10:41 PM	#7
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I imagine a soft lead bullet would mushroom nicely on such a large animal.