« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk  (Read 645 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline 4given

  • Not perfect, but Forgiven!
  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 116
  • Gender: Male
  • John 3:16-18; John 14:6; Romans 8:1
.54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« on: July 11, 2012, 04:16:21 AM »
Not sure if this is the right place for this question/disscussion but here goes........
 
I will be using my T/C Renegade in .54 for a cow elk early this fall in Idaho. I have hunted for several decades with centerfire but never have hunted with a muzzleloader. I will be using genuine black powder, musket caps and a 425 gr Hornady Great Plains HP conical bullet. I will not shoot at anything over 100 yards and I will try my best to keep my shot around 50 yards or less if possible.
 
So my question is about shot placement. Where is the best place to shoot a cow elk with this kind of set up? I DON'T want to chase a wounded cow elk all over creation. I really want to anchor the thing in it's tracks as much as possible. If I go for a shoulder shot and break down the front shoulder is the bullet likely to continue on and penetrate into the vitals?  If I go for a double lung shot will the bullet still have enough juice to perhaps break the shoulder on the other side? Maybe if I am presented with a close shot I do go for a neck shot providing my marksmanship skill are up to snuff?
 
I'm interested in hearing you opinions especially those of you who have "been there, done that". :)
Logged
Romans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23a  "...The wages of sin is death..."
Romans 6:23b  "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:8,  "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"
Romans 10:13  "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord  will be saved!"
Romans 10:9"...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved.."

Offline 4given

  • Not perfect, but Forgiven!
  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 116
  • Gender: Male
  • John 3:16-18; John 14:6; Romans 8:1
Re: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2012, 01:44:33 AM »
I think I hear crickets................. :(
Logged
Romans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23a  "...The wages of sin is death..."
Romans 6:23b  "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:8,  "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"
Romans 10:13  "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord  will be saved!"
Romans 10:9"...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved.."

Offline bulletstuffer

  • Trade Count: (25)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 694
  • Gender: Male
  • Overkill begins when hair shoots out the antlers.
Re: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2012, 02:05:31 AM »
If she is looking right at you put the bullet 2.176 inches from the right eye.  If she won't sit still for the caliper measurement I would just wait until she turned broad side and put in right behind her shoulder ;D


No crickets just smart as* comments now ;D


You will get your elk this year ;)


Best of luck,


Bulletstuffer
Logged
I am the first to work when I have to and the first to go on vacation when I can!  God Bless America!!!

Offline Buckskins & Black Powder

  • Trade Count: (16)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1700
  • Gender: Male
    • Buckskins & Black Powder
Re: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2012, 01:46:30 PM »
Classic kill zone of course: Right behind the shoulder - Taking out both lungs.
Logged

Offline uno676

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 80
  • Gender: Male
.54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2012, 03:57:04 PM »
Ditto


Sent by passenger pigeon using Tapatalk
Logged
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Offline 4given

  • Not perfect, but Forgiven!
  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 116
  • Gender: Male
  • John 3:16-18; John 14:6; Romans 8:1
Re: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2012, 03:27:40 AM »
Thanks for the feedback guys! I guess I will go for the double lung shot then!
 
Logged
Romans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23a  "...The wages of sin is death..."
Romans 6:23b  "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:8,  "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"
Romans 10:13  "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord  will be saved!"
Romans 10:9"...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved.."

Offline BBF

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10042
  • Gender: Male
  • I feel much better now knowing it will get worse.
Re: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2012, 05:13:30 AM »
This is a pure or very close to pure lead bullet, expect huge expansion with that bullet. You can't go wrong with a "Broadside" ;D ;D  from that lead thrower. ;)
Logged
What is the point of Life if you can't have fun.

Offline james

  • Trade Count: (7)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 798
  • Gender: Male
Re: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2012, 05:31:05 AM »
I agree with the lung shots.  I taken several with my .50 thru the lungs and never lost any.  Can't say that about other shots, especially the ones quartering to me.  I think the shoulder blade can deflect the bullet on extreme angles.  A low lung shot gives a better blood trail than a high one.
Logged

Offline BBF

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10042
  • Gender: Male
  • I feel much better now knowing it will get worse.
Re: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2012, 02:55:07 AM »
After posting the pix below I realized you are using a ML.
 Bullets with similar nose shape will work without expansion even at relative low velocities.
Logged
What is the point of Life if you can't have fun.

Offline Ranch13

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1062
  • Gender: Male
    • Historic Shooting .com
Re: .54 cal shot placement options for Elk
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2012, 03:11:36 AM »
As long as you can keep your projectile in the heart/lung area you shouldn't have to follow one more than a couple hundred yards. The only real guarantee of a drop at the shot stop, is to break the spine or put one straight thru the brain pan.
Logged
In the 1920's "sheeple" was a term coined by the National Socialist Party in Germany to describe people that would not vote for Hitler. In the 1930's they held Hitler as the only one that would bring pride back to Germany and bring the budget and economy back.....
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »