muzzleloader elk load

jekennedy · Jul 10, 2017

my question is will a 290 grain barnes ez bullet pushed by 100 gr. of 777 pellets perform and open up like it supposed to out to 250 yds. Drew a unit34 muzzleloader elk tag in new mexico and looking for advice.

buckhorn · Jul 11, 2017

According to the little booklet you get when you buy a pack of Barnes Bullets you need 1100 ft./s on impact to open those up. I'm not sure you quite have that with only 100 grains of 777

Thomas11 · Jul 11, 2017

>my question is will a 290
>grain barnes ez bullet pushed
>by 100 gr. of 777
>pellets perform and open up
>like it supposed to out
>to 250 yds. Drew a
>unit34 muzzleloader elk tag in
>new mexico and looking for
>advice.

I had the same question except with pyrodex pellets but that should yield very similar velocities. The consensus I got was 200 yards would be the very most that u should feel good at and honestly I'm thinking 150-175 for my effective range

huntjoep · Jul 11, 2017

110 grains bh209 with 290 tez works.

Elkextreme · Jul 14, 2017

90 grain of blackhorn with 300 grain Hornaday works well for me

N_Corey · Jul 16, 2017

To answer the ops question I don't think you'll have the required velocity for that bullet at 250yds with only 100 grains of powder. To get the velocity needed at the extended ranges you have to push most muzzleloaders close to their limits.

MTN_Infantry · Jul 18, 2017

As previously mentioned I think you're going to need to mix things up a little to get more energy out of the bullet. I drew the same tag as you this year and will almost certainly be shooting Blackhorn 209 out of my Strikerfire.

I'm playing around with a bunch of bullet, sabot and powder combinations to see what works best.

jekennedy · Jul 18, 2017

Thanks to everyone for their replys. I think I am going to bump up and try 120 grains of 777 see what my groups are and check my speeds. If still not satisfied will try blackhorn 209. My goal is to shoot the 290gr. Barnes bullet out to 250 yds and have perform and peel back in 6 sections without loosing accuracy. Congrats MTN_Infantry on drawing the tag I hope your as excited as I am.

buckhorn · Jul 18, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Jul-18-17 AT 03:57PM (MST)[p] I shoot the Barnes 290 grain TMZ bullets as well. My gun is the older Remington model 700 muzzleloader with the 209 conversion from badger Ridge. My powder charge is blackhorn 209 80 grains by weight which is about 105 grains volume. After swabblng the barrel I shoot a foul shot. Then I get good groups on the next three or four shots and then need to swab again. I really don't want to increase my powder charge because it already is kicking me hard enough and I'm probably pushing my gun to the limits. I'm confident this load will kill a deer or elk out to 300 yards if hit correctly.

Cow Tag · Jul 18, 2017

Buck Horn, Is the Barnes 290 grain TMZ bullet legal in Colorado for hunting elk?

jekennedy · Jul 18, 2017

Thanks buckhorn and everyone for info. Going shooting this weekend to try and get this nailed down. 11 weeks before heading to New Mexico to put it to the test

Fubarracin · Jul 18, 2017

>Buck Horn, Is the Barnes 290
>grain TMZ bullet legal in
>Colorado for hunting elk?

No not for use in colorado.

kalielkslayer · Jul 26, 2017

How did the shooting session go?

jekennedy · Jul 27, 2017

I shot 110g and 120g of triple seven, both grouped well. I am going with the 120gr load. I have a leupold muzzloader scope and the 120g load was right on with the yardage crosshairs, and with 1800' muzzle velocity the bullet should perform out to 250yds.

jekennedy · Apr 9, 2018

As I am sitting here waiting patiently for New Mexico and Montana draw it makes me reflect on last years hunt. I want to thank everyone again for the response I received on a load for elk. I was fortunate enough to harvest my best bull on a diy public land hunt. Good luck to all on their draws this year. Photo of bull is in gallery on November 17

Muley · Apr 10, 2018

Some reason you can't get closer than 250yds?

txhunter58 · Apr 10, 2018

Glad you got one! Post up some pictures! I will probably use a similar load when I get picked for Utah one of these years.

When I get picked I want to know a load would be good for 250 as well. Hopefully it won't be needed, but that would probably be my max range as well.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

jekennedy · Apr 10, 2018

There are pictures posted in the 2017 gallery. They were posted on 11/17 under John Kennedy. I was extremely happy the way the load performed. He was shot at 50 yds but had full confidence in 250 if needed

sjhgraysage · Apr 13, 2018

Congrats on harvesting your bull!
I have looked for the photos but so far have not found them.

jekennedy · Apr 14, 2018

Here?s a pic

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2018/817173e61dab5730c4c49a434e181f2633188.jpeg

Elkchaser4570 · Apr 16, 2018

Nice!! Congrats!

Cantwait2hunt · May 2, 2018

Nice ! Which unit ?

jekennedy · May 3, 2018

Unit 34. Wasn?t lucky in the draw this year. Looking for a landowner tag if anyone has any leads

scottfisher · May 26, 2018

I cant even begin to tell you how much I hate copper bullets. If its a law that you have to use them then ok use them. If its not a law then any other bullet would be better. Also I really like Blackhorn 209 powder. Great stuff. I've had good luck with Thompson Center bonded and PT Scorpion bullets.