What caliber tradition loader for Elk ?

[fireguy65]

I'm having to go back to a traditional loader this year( new state regs), so what caliber do you feel is best for elk ? I know they would all take down an elk, with the correct placed shot, but if you had a choice what is best ? .45, .50,..54cal ?

 

[lonedave]

Of the three choices....54 all the way. Personally, I use a 62.

 

[FrontierGander]

54+, especially if you are hunting colorado.

I had no problems using my 50 and patched balls, but colorado changed it to 54cal in 2018. They used to even let us use 45cal long before I was born.

 

[Roughneck]

personally i use a .62 but .54 or ,58 would be good also. i just prefer the .62 for overall performance in my experience but i own all 3 calibers.

 

[long hunter]

I am a .62 cal fan. although I HAVE NEVER HUNTED ELK ( BUCKET LIST ITEM) I am a fan of the big bores .62 D.R.T. on white tails.

 

[Mosby]

54+, especially if you are hunting colorado.

I had no problems using my 50 and patched balls, but colorado changed it to 54cal in 2018. They used to even let us use 45cal long before I was born.

I think Colorado allows 50 cal for elk when using conical bullets. 54 is the minimum for round ball.

 

[FrontierGander]

the OP asked what caliber to go with for a traditional muzzleloader and after reading through, it seems he wants to use a patched round ball.

 

[jlpoe]

Having done a little reading, it seems that a 54 would do the job, especially using the Powerbelt Copper Aerotip bullet non-sabot for Colorado. I've zeroed my Hawken with them and they shoot really well at paper out to 125 yards or so.

Anyone have any success using them for Elk?

 

[pirogue]

I don’t hunt that treehugger state, but traditional in a lot of states can include conical loads, but no scope, and no inline.