K40
Member
Would a 300 grain sabot pushed by 150 grains be enough to take down an elk? What are your preferences?
Muzzleloading for elk
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From what I have read, it depends more on the projectile's hardness (high % of tin, or solid copper sabot) than weight.
As an example of comparative power, a 325 grain muzzleload over 150 grains of powder departs at 1,723 FPS. The .45-70 Gov't, in 330 Gr lead projectile, loaded for lever action rifles, achieves 1,734 FPS. That round would certainly not be doubted as sufficient. Ergo, I say yes.
Doc2005
As an example of comparative power, a 325 grain muzzleload over 150 grains of powder departs at 1,723 FPS. The .45-70 Gov't, in 330 Gr lead projectile, loaded for lever action rifles, achieves 1,734 FPS. That round would certainly not be doubted as sufficient. Ergo, I say yes.
Doc2005
K40
Member
...And I should add that I am using a .50 Thompson Omega.
A lead round ball works fine for taking elk, so any of the heavier sabot loads that penetrate well should work fine too. Some of them are designed for deer and expand quick at the expense of penetration though, so a little research into the load's specific purpose would be in order. I used to take them with .54 soft lead conicals and they'd shoot completely through.
O.S.O.K.
Member
depends
The 300 grain bullet at that velocity would certainly do the job if it is of proper construction. I would not use a .44 cal XTP for example - too frangible and will open up too early, too much and may not penetrate enough - depending on the angle of entry.
A hardcast lead semi wadcutter or wide flat nosed design would do an outstanding job - again, so long as the alloy is hard - wheel weights or harder. These can be had from Oregon Trail/Laser Cast or Leadhead bullets among other places. I know that Cabelas also sells sabot/hard cast bullet combos. These basically go through and through from just about any angle and leave a .44 caliber hole that bleeds out quickly - but the elk will take off and run 50 or more yards before piling up - or it may just stand there and make you wonder if you missed... before it drops to its knees.
Really, any bullet desgined to hold together would do the trick - the thing to keep in mind is that pistol bullets are designed for a lower velocity than you are getting with that charge.
Finally, I would council that you don't need the 150 grain (or equivalent) charge. A 100 grain or equivalent charge with a good bullet will do the trick and be more accurate.
I own a TC Omega and they are optimized for sabots, so I undstand why you want to go that route - just use a tough bullet and be confident!
I would not use a round ball for elk from a .50 - most go with a 62 for that! The .50 round ball weighs 240 grains, a little light for elk and round balls are dead soft and expand quickly - they do work really well on deer though.
Going to a bullet, you can take elk with a .45 though as the bullet's increased weight and sectional density make it penetrate - just like the 45-70.
The 300 grain bullet at that velocity would certainly do the job if it is of proper construction. I would not use a .44 cal XTP for example - too frangible and will open up too early, too much and may not penetrate enough - depending on the angle of entry.
A hardcast lead semi wadcutter or wide flat nosed design would do an outstanding job - again, so long as the alloy is hard - wheel weights or harder. These can be had from Oregon Trail/Laser Cast or Leadhead bullets among other places. I know that Cabelas also sells sabot/hard cast bullet combos. These basically go through and through from just about any angle and leave a .44 caliber hole that bleeds out quickly - but the elk will take off and run 50 or more yards before piling up - or it may just stand there and make you wonder if you missed... before it drops to its knees.
Really, any bullet desgined to hold together would do the trick - the thing to keep in mind is that pistol bullets are designed for a lower velocity than you are getting with that charge.
Finally, I would council that you don't need the 150 grain (or equivalent) charge. A 100 grain or equivalent charge with a good bullet will do the trick and be more accurate.
I own a TC Omega and they are optimized for sabots, so I undstand why you want to go that route - just use a tough bullet and be confident!
I would not use a round ball for elk from a .50 - most go with a 62 for that! The .50 round ball weighs 240 grains, a little light for elk and round balls are dead soft and expand quickly - they do work really well on deer though.
Going to a bullet, you can take elk with a .45 though as the bullet's increased weight and sectional density make it penetrate - just like the 45-70.
K40
Member
I am thinking I will try the 300 grain Mag-Sabot from Thompson Center, is this a properly constructed bullet?
O.S.O.K.
Member
TC mag sabots
Those are XTP pistol bullets, so no, I wouldn't recommend those.
I would recommend getting just the sabots and then get a good quality wide flat nosed bullet - Oregon Trail has some now called TrueShot Bullets - they are excellent: http://www.laser-cast.com/trueshot.html
The heavier 310 grain .44 caliber .430" bullet should do really well for you - regardless of which charge - 100 or 150 that you decide on. They will hold together and penetrate in a straight line. Hit bone, and they will go right through to the vitals.
Again, the Hornady XTP's are excellent bullets but not designed for the higher velocities.
Those are XTP pistol bullets, so no, I wouldn't recommend those.
I would recommend getting just the sabots and then get a good quality wide flat nosed bullet - Oregon Trail has some now called TrueShot Bullets - they are excellent: http://www.laser-cast.com/trueshot.html
The heavier 310 grain .44 caliber .430" bullet should do really well for you - regardless of which charge - 100 or 150 that you decide on. They will hold together and penetrate in a straight line. Hit bone, and they will go right through to the vitals.
Again, the Hornady XTP's are excellent bullets but not designed for the higher velocities.
You can't use sabots here... 400gr Remington gamemaster hollowpoint and 100gr of ffg translates to 1200fps or so from my Hawken.
oneshooter
Member
A 62cal, 344gr PRB backed by 120gr of GOEX 2fg from a 1-70/38"bbl does the job for me!
Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
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