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#1
07-15-2009, 03:32 PM
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Quote:
One of the things that I find disturbing in these articles is that the writers try to equate modern rifles (or inlines) with traditional muzzleloaders.....it's like comparing apples to oranges, IMHO. I haven't taken elk with my muzzleloader, but I did take a cow bison with my .54 cal Hawken back in 2000 (IIRC)....I used a T/C maxiball because all the 'experts' said that it would have more 'oomph' and 'kill better'. To make a long story short, it took 3 shots to bring her down for keeps, although she was dead with the first shot. She gave no reaction to being hit with the first shot (I thought I had missed), but it was a perfect double lung shot, and she was bleeding out into her lungs. I shot her to more times, and the only reaction I got was to see her hump move up a bit. She finally got the staggers and took a few steps and fell. I felt bad that she didn't go down quickly, until my guide told me he has seen similar situations with more 'adequate' rounds (.45-70, .338 Winchester, ect). Those of us who are old enough to remember when compound bows first came out remember the claims of 'they kill better because the arrow moves faster"......what B.S.!!! Arrows kill by hemmorrage, not hydrostatic shock. If you feel more comfortable using a conical, that's fine....but remember this: your round ball will shoot flatter than the conical, and bullet placement is ALWAYS the key! I'm not saying that your elk will flip on it's back and lay there kicking with all four feet in the air, but you will have a dead elk......and how many tracking jobs for elk have we seen when they've been adequately hit with 'modern' cartridges such as the .270, 30-06, and .300 magnums?  I'm of the opinion that your PRB would be fine for elk...just remember that your hunting elk with a primative weapon and keep your actions equivelent to your skills, and you'll make meat.
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If your dog thinks that your the greatest, don't go seeking a second opinion! 
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#2
07-15-2009, 04:49 PM
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Thanks for the replies. I'll review Fadala's book, Adam, and will seriously consider using PRBs for elk. Just don't want to blow it if I get a chance at a big one.
 16 G: I used a 45-70 on a buff hunt a few yrs back. Took me 3 shots even tho the first was double lung. They have such big lungs that it takes them a long while to fill with blood. I had to wait for it to be clear of others in case the bullet went all the way thru. Second shot was a little back but not gut. Third was right in the heart area. I'm not proud that it took me that many shots to bring him down but that's how it happened - they are tough animals.  Mike
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#3
07-16-2009, 08:30 AM
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Mike;
It's also my impression that the original use of conicals wasn't for their extra energy down range, but rather for their ease of reloading on the battle field....the extra energy was just a by product of their extra weight/mass. You might want to do your own test, using wet news print or some other test media, to see just how much penetration you get with one projectile vs another....you have the time, and you might be surprised!
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If your dog thinks that your the greatest, don't go seeking a second opinion!
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#4
07-16-2009, 09:40 AM
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I can see you're not thinking this thing through...this is the perfect opportunity to buy yourself another caliber...  But seriously, speaking only for myself...if I had the choice from several calibers I've slowly accumulated over the years ( .40/.45/.50/.54/.58/.62 ) and was planning a trip like yours for Elk, not knowing what distances I might be faced with...without hesitation I'd first reach for the .58cal, .62cal next. Serious "whompability" at distance with a flatter trajectory than a big heavy conical....just my .02 cents
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"Flintlocks.......The Real Deal" (Claims that 1:48" twists won't shoot PRBs accurately are old wives tales!!)
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