Load for 54cal Lyman Deerstalker for Elk

[Elk Hunter]

Just got a Lyman 54cal Deerstalker and I don't know what diameter round balls to shoot or what thickness of patch to use. Should I use the .530 or .535 round balls. I'm new to the 54cal so any recommendation's on any load would be appreciated. Also I'm going to use it for hunting Elk and Bear in Idaho and that's a traditional hunt. I have a CVA 50cal that the 54 is replacing and I have been using Hornady's 410 grain buffalo bullet with great effect.  Thanks for your help.

[Snowshoe]

I have a .50 cal Deerstalker and it takes .495 balls and 18th pillow ticking, and my new Lyman Trade rifle in .54 takes .535 balls and 15th pillow ticking that I got from Wal-mart. I just started to work with my .54, but it seems to like 80g of 3f Graf and sons powder and a felt wad over the powder. I was going to get the .54 in a Deerstalker, but they didn't have any in stock so I went for the trade rifle. The Deerstalker is a fine hunting rifle. Good luck with yours.

[PA-Joe]

You shouldn't need more than 80-90 grains of FFg using a 239 grain RB.

[Lost Okie]

Agree with PA-Joe up to a point.  I have a TC Hawken in .54 and it likes 105 grains of FFg.  I know I have a little powder thats not burning but I am shooting a 3.5" group at 100 yrds. with roundball.  I use .535 rb and cotton patch lubed with a soluble oil. 
So you understand how I got to a light denim patch material and soluble oil.  Several years ago I was having accuracy problems.  Sometimes I would get 4" groups at 100 and other times my group was right on at 70 yrds and 16 inches low and 10 inches to the right.....go figure.
So, I spent what was the best $15.00 of my life.  Check out Dutch Schoultz's web site www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com.  I learned a few things that I flat did not know.  What I gained was how to put it all together. 
Lets put it this way, I killed a 18 month old cow buffalo at 80 yrds last year with a roundball.  Pass thru with both shots.  3 yrs before I was in Montana sighting in for a bear hunt when I found out I was dead on at 70 and WAY off at 100 as described above.  Never could duplicate that problem when I returned to Indiana, and by the time I went back in the fall, I was using Dutch's info and I was dead on at 100 yrds. 

[Elk Hunter]

Thanks for the help guys. What buffalo bullets or conicals do you guys recommend for elk and large black bear. Also what weight and powder charge do you use?  Thank you for all the help.