Is 60 grains of powder enough?

[Snake Pleskin]

Montana Muzzleloader, I have taken personally probably somewhere in the neighbourhood of 20 +/- elk in my life, and been involved in equally as many with friends. I do not believe folks who have never taken elk, or perhaps only a couple (where things went perfect) have the right to claim any experience with the toughness of an elk. Like yourself, I have seen what it’s like when things go wrong in an elk kill. Folks, they ain’t dead till they are dead!! I would refuse to use anything marginal for an elk.
Within this thread I hear about how the elk in the eastern US were decimated by light loads in PRB, and I absolutely believe that statement. What I don’t hear is of the vast numbers who survived the initial shot only to go off miles upon miles into the worst crap hole, died a slow death, and were “wasted”. I also know that deer ain’t elk. Comparing the two makes no sense, and at 40yds the OP’s load is more than enough. Lord knows I wouldn’t stand in front of it!
Walk

I agree there is no comparison between an Elk and a Deer. I think for ELK you should use a decent caliber, and commensurate load, that you can handle safely and will provide a margin of safety for taking an Elk cleanly. They are big, tough animals and using "enough gun" is never a bad idea, as long as you can handle it properly. IMHO

 

[brad502a]

Too many people are stuck on how "they used to do it, back in the day". That is done and over, and I don't care how many shots it took from a 30-30, aka 30 WCF. The 60 g load will work for DEER in controlled conditions, I just hope that the youth has supervision advising when the conditions are correct. I would like to thank MM for sharing his story about the elk. I also wish to not thank the posts that tried to make this thread a pissing match, pardon the French.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

This one time, I was reading, minding my own business, not commenting… that worked out really well for me. Gonna try and keep at it. Be safe, have fun, keep yer powder dry.

 

[Buffalorider73]

I was at the range today and shot a 400 grain lead conical over a felt pad and 60 grains of swiss 2f. Group was good and recoil reasonably gentle for a prolonged shooting session. Any reason I need to go higher on the powder? Will 60 grains of powder generate enough energy to kill a deer at fifty yards? To be honest, I cannot see taking longer shots than that with these open sights until I feel WAY more confident. Also, shoutout to Eekjellander who cast the bullets!

>54 Hawken Cap lock , i shoot .65 gr by volume accurate and deadly out to 100 yds for me.Shot my 1st deer in 1981, still working today .And I shoot round ball.
Most of my kills were within 65 yds.

 

[Montana Muzzleloader]

Too many people are stuck on how "they used to do it, back in the day". That is done and over, and I don't care how many shots it took from a 30-30, aka 30 WCF. The 60 g load will work for DEER in controlled conditions, I just hope that the youth has supervision advising when the conditions are correct. I would like to thank MM for sharing his story about the elk. I also wish to not thank the posts that tried to make this thread a pissing match, pardon the French.

I appreciate your reply. I was only trying to be helpful by sharing an experience I’m not proud of, but it happened & that can never be undone.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Average size of a whitetail doe is 100 Lbs/ Buck is 150Lbs

Average size of a cow elk is 530/ Bull is 730.

Not sure how a comparison can be made with an animal that is 5 times larger than what this thread is about to begin with.

 

[brad502a]

I appreciate your reply. I was only trying to be helpful by sharing an experience I’m not proud of, but it happened & that can never be undone.

Sir I appreciate your reply and agree with your statements