elk loads for a T/C black diamond

[waelkhntr]

I just picked up a stainless .50 T/C black diamond. I know eack rifle has its own favorite load but I would like some suggestions as a starting point.

Thanks in advanced

Terry

[quickdtoo]

I shoot 105grs of loose 3F T7 with the 295gr lead HP Powerbelts in my XR .50, real accurate but I get a lot of leading, the copper plated PBs aren't legal here or I'd use em.

My buddy shoots the 405gr lead HP Powerbelts with 100gr 2f Goex in his standard BD, it's real accurate too.

Neither one of us has got close enough to an elk to see how they work, tho. :roll:

Tim

[Busta]

Unfortunately I have seen first hand what a 295 grain PowerBelt over 110 grains of Pyrodex will not do to an elk at 28 yards. Not a good choice for elk at all IMHO. I won't go into all the details but trust me on this one. The only PowerBelt I would even consider would be the non hollow point in 444 grain flat point (this bullet would not be legal in Colorado due to it being longer than twice the bore diameter). Scroll down to the .50 caliber chart and check it out. (sorry quick, not directed at you but those 295 hollow points just don't penetrate when heavy bone is encountered and I would not be able to live with myself if I didn't let you know what I witnessed first hand when my buddy lost his elk last fall using the copper plated version)

http://www.powerbeltbullets.com/products.htm#2

Much better choices IMO would be the No Excuses or Bullshop bullets in pure lead. Pure lead is sticky and will stay together much better than the candy copper coating on the PowerBelt. The following bullets won't let you down. 80 grains of 777 FFFg under one of these in 460 grains (.970" long and legal in Colorado) of pure lead will take any elk, even through the front shoulder if need be. For elk you need penetration way more than you need expansion. Try 'em, you'll like 'em. :wink:  

http://members.aol.com/noexcusesb/index.html


http://bullshop.gunloads.com/prices.html

[sabotloader]

waelkhntr

The bigger question is what is legal in your hunting area?  In Idaho we can use sabots and copper clad bullets.  No 209's and no scopes....

I hunt with a variety of 50's and basically two different loads, one for elk and one for deer.

The elk load would be a .458 (45-70) 300 grain Nosler Partition Protected Point in a MMP Orange HPH sabot sitting on top of 110 grains of T7-2f.  For deer I drop down to a 250 or 260 grain .452 on top of the same powder charge.

Three other bullets I have been experimenting with that really show a lot of promise are the 250 and 300 grain Bonded Speer Gold Dots.  Another one that has really drawn my attention is the 10mm 200 grain Hornady XTP - what a screamer and for deer it should work really well.... Problem in Idaho I can not use it during ML season - minimum bullet diameter is .428

These really work well for me but each gun is different.... so good luck in your search...

[Biff Mayhem]

I just picked up a stainless .50 T/C black diamond. I know eack rifle has its own favorite load but I would like some suggestions as a starting point.

Any copper or platinum sabot/bullet 300 grains or better.

The 348 gr. copper Powerbelt is marginal for elk. Same with the 405 gr. leaded Powerbelt. Shot placement is the key.

[kudzu]

A 300 bonded shockwave over about 120-150 gr loose powder. (Don't care for the pellets). This would be my choice with a BP, however , I would be shootin my savage with the 300 BSW over 69 gr H4198 at about 2400-2500 fps.

[BS]

Lke Busta stated above, get some 460 Noexcuses and start working up a load.

Start with 85FF and go up, also try 3F.

http://goexpowder.com/load-chart.html