xtp for elk?

Might have opportunity to go shoot a cow elk in dec with the mk85. My load now is 100gr pyrodex with .429 300gr xtp with crush rib sabot. This bullet to soft for an elk? Was recommended the 460gr No excuse bullet. My rifle also shoots the 395gr great plains very well. Thoughts? If this happens it will be my first time chasing anything out west.

The 300g .452 XTP Magnum is definitely not too soft for elk.

these are the .429 ones not the .452 mags

I shoot elk with the .45 300 grain XTP in the crushed rib sabot with 110 grains of BH209 or the same bullet in an MMP sabot and 110 grains of Pyrodex depending if I'm shooting the .50 Vortek or .54 cal Knight.

phoenman said:

these are the .429 ones not the .452 mags

Click to expand...

Yes, i know. The 45 XTP magnums are not too soft for elk.

good deal. I like two holes in animals. I just wanted to make sure that the 300gr non mag bullet would hold together and push on through. Id prob feel a little better with the 452 300gr mags. If this hunt happens, it will be my first big game hunt and I don't wanna watch a wounded elk run off to never be seen again. If there is something better, I want to use it

we will find out in December hopefully. Got a muzzleloader cow tag for NM.

Hello, we are just getting back into the bp world so this question is a little late for the thread.
What have been your results using a 300 grain sp in the 50 cal,
That is a load we are contemplating. Maybe since we are just seeing the thread there might be a fair amount of data to share.
Thanks.

I’d have to look at the tables again but doesn’t loose 777 have more energy than the same amount of Pyrodex? I realize there can be restrictions in some States with primers & such that rule out B209.

Just an aside if one wants to push whatever bullet faster.

Late to the party here but in 2015 used the .429 300 grain XTP in a green Crush Rib Sabot over 100 grains Triple 7 FFFg in a 1:48" sidelock ML. The cow elk was about 60 yards and the first shot hit low and she stayed on her feet and travelled about 75 yards. I closed the distance and found her lying down. At around 20 yards she got up and started to move off. I put the sights on her ribs and fired again and she went down. The shot distance was about the same as the first. I did not see an exit hole from either but I did not find the bullets anywhere even though I looked in her. Regardless, they seemed to work a well as anything I have used. Good luck!

I've killed seven deer with XTP's all from a Ruger Redhawk. I started with 240's then went to 200's found the big bullet did to much damage. I like to eat what I kill and do all the cutting up of the meat myself.

Have fun, be safe and keep hunting.