What bullet?

[COhuntr]

Ok it has been like 10 years since I have hunted with a muzzle loader took 2 nice timber line bucks using power belts, so I was digging around on the web and a lot of people slam power belts?(I never tried them on a elk yet) They all say barnes, but they are sabots, so my question what are elk hunter using in Colorado?
Thanks Jim

 

[Wake26]

when I was muzzy hunting I always used the green Powerbelts 295 grain. They were accurate and did a good job on the two elk that I took with them.

 

[bowhunter]

My CVA Accura shot the Hornady FPB much better than the Powerbelt bullets. I also shot them at a 1/4 inch steel plate and they had way more penetration than Powerbelts and retained most all of the original bullet weight. I would recomend trying a few different bullets in your gun. See what shoots best.

 

[cnelk]

COhuntr

What brand of ML are you using?

 

[OldMan]

Powerbelts are just ok, but you need to use the right ones. I\'d recommend the 348gr copper, or the 338gr Platinum for elk.

I\'m using a sidelock for elk, and I use the 370gr maxiball.

 

[COhuntr]

It is a cabelas made by Traditions, It shoots good but guys on the web talk about bullet failures, both mulies I shot just above the heart passed through so I was thinking should still be good on elk I know shot placement is eveything but I have not followed muzzle loader stuff for ten years or so

 

[COhuntr]

Its a inline

 

[OldMan]

My advice is the same as Powerbelt would give you. Do the elk the favor of not shooting a lighter bullet in a Powerbelt.

 

[cnelk]

I have been messing around with MLs for years.
And I have found that along with bullet performance, powder performance is also key.

In my MLs, I use 95gr of Pyrodex \'P\' and a 370gr Maxi Ball with great success.

 

[Curvebow]

I have used TC Maxi Ball bullets in my TC 54 caliber. I have not hunted elk with a MZ in a while now. However, after being tired of fighting to seat many saboted bullets (not legal in CO that I know of) I have found that my newer TC Triumph 50 caliber shoots Power Belt Platinum\'s with 3 Pyrodex Pellets (150 grain charge) (also not legal?, unsure) as accurately as anything I\'ve tried. This emans 1 1/4\" or so at 100 yds for a 3 shot group. I have shot 3 whitetail bucks with this combination with excellent results. But, I know, elk aren\'t deer!

Assuming legalities, I would not hesitate to use a 250 grain or heavier Powerbelt bullet on an elk. This is coming from a guy who tried them years back in a TC 54 and a Knight MK-85 in 50 cal. Neither of those guns shot PB\'s under 3 - 4\" at 100 yards (using a scope - legal here in NYS). All of those bullets were given away.

I think that Barnes saboted MZ bullets are about the best bullets out there. My experience with them though is that the sabots are the hardest to seat that I have EVER used. I almost need a hammer on the ramrod to seat them in a clean, TC Bore Butter lubricated barrel. For a second shot, forget about it. Need to clean the abrrel first; which for me is totally unacceptable.

I\'m unsure of the current CO regulations on MZ\'s, as I have not hunted with a MZ there in about 10 years.

Good luck!!

 

[Ol' Arky]

I\'ve always shot TC Maxi-Balls in my TC .54cal sidelock... Killed several deer and the one elk I shot with no problem... Never tried um in a inline... Never tried Power Belts either...