TATAat27 Report post Posted May 22, 2009 I was wondering what kind of loads I might try with a .45 cal. Thanks, Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esudac Report post Posted June 7, 2009 I'd try the Power Belt Aero 275 Grain bullet. Shoots great out of my CVA Optima Pro. I would also try the new Blackhorn 209 powder. This stuff is truly amazing. I've used every black powder out there and there is nothing like it. Period. I had a great muzzleloader tag last year and killed a great bull at around 90 yards and this load crunched him. The only thing that sucks is I didn't recover the bullet. I got some comments from some people that a 45 cal is too light for elk, however, just like anything shot placement is the key. My gun was used by my buddy's kid on the same hunt 2 years ago and he also killed a great bull....bottomline, close to 700 inches of antler, with 2 shots from a 45 cal. Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ichiban43 Report post Posted June 7, 2009 Shot placement is everything for sure.--I use a sidelock percussion and moved up the a .54 cal--love it for Elk.--I hunt mostly in CO and sabots, pelletized powder and scopes are a no-no. As an FYI--minumum Cal for Elk in CO is .50 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TATAat27 Report post Posted June 8, 2009 "I got some comments from some people that a 45 cal is too light for elk, however, just like anything shot placement is the key". I thought it might be a little light also, but I wont be shooting at anything outside of 100 yds. Thanks for the replies, Rich. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mzlloader Report post Posted June 10, 2009 My wife has taken 3 elk with her .45 cal muzzy, she shoots 110 grains of loose poweder and a 275 grain powerbelt, she keeps her shots under 125 yards 2 of her elk have dropped where they stood and the 3rd went 48 yards and piled up, Its funny to here people say that a 45 is to small for elk, Whats the differnce between her 110 grains of loose powder and a 275 grain bullelt out of her 45, and some one who is shooting a 50 cal. with 110 grains of loose powder and a 275 grain bullet, 110 grains of powder by weight and a 275 grain bullet by weight is just that be it out of a 45 or 50 or 54 for that matter, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunter4life Report post Posted June 11, 2009 I shoot a .45 cal Knight and use a 200 grain Hornady SST sabot in front of 100grains of 777. This combo dropped my bull last year at 153 yards and I recovered the bullet (good mushroom shape) on the offside shoulder just under the skin. He only took 2 steps and then fell down and rolled down the hillside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ichiban43 Report post Posted June 11, 2009 My wife has taken 3 elk with her .45 cal muzzy, she shoots 110 grains of loose poweder and a 275 grain powerbelt, she keeps her shots under 125 yards 2 of her elk have dropped where they stood and the 3rd went 48 yards and piled up, Its funny to here people say that a 45 is to small for elk, Whats the differnce between her 110 grains of loose powder and a 275 grain bullelt out of her 45, and some one who is shooting a 50 cal. with 110 grains of loose powder and a 275 grain bullet, 110 grains of powder by weight and a 275 grain bullet by weight is just that be it out of a 45 or 50 or 54 for that matter, Nuttin' Hunny!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
esudac Report post Posted June 12, 2009 Great to see some more personal expearience with using a .45 on elk. Forgot to add in my earlier post that I use 120 grains of Blackhorn 209....was a little concerned that it may be too much, but my gun really loves the full load. Also wanted to pass on that 120 grains is the "max" when using Blackhorn. This powder is also loose. Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
