Muzzleloader Elk Meat

just_a_hunter · Sep 29, 2024

I managed to get a nice cow with my Muzzleloader... Would have been real handy to have a bull tag as the herd bull was a smoker... The tag was in a premium area in NW Colorado.

For those interested, this .50 cal T/C Hawken has a 1-28” Green Mountain LRH barrel. I used 110 gr GOEX 2f and 338 gr Powerbelt Platnum to take the elk. I haven't been a Powerbelt fan at all. I was going to use the 290 Hornady Bore Driver but these Powerbelts Shot a bit more accurately out of my Hawken and were way easier to load on follow up shots using Goex 2F. I was impressed with the terminal performance of these particular 338 grain Platnum bullets. Shot was 85 yards quartering too. It Broke the shoulder and got all the goodies, but did not exit. It didn’t need too. FYI..

Good luck this season!

Todd

EVILNR2.0 · Sep 29, 2024

Heck Yeah!!!
Love a Traditional muzzleloader kill, thats what its meant to be.
I have the same Hawken / Barrel combo.

MrShane · Sep 29, 2024

just_a_hunter said:
I managed to get a nice cow with my Muzzleloader... Would have been real handy to have a bull tag as the herd bull was a smoker... The tag was in a premium area in NW Colorado.

For those interested, this .50 cal T/C Hawken has a 1-28” Green Mountain LRH barrel. I used 110 gr GOEX 2f and 338 gr Powerbelt Platnum to take the elk. I haven't been a Powerbelt fan at all. I was going to use the 290 Hornady Bore Driver but these Powerbelts Shot a bit more accurately out of my Hawken and were way easier to load on follow up shots using Goex 2F. I was impressed with the terminal performance of these particular 338 grain Platnum bullets. Shot was 85 yards quartering too. It Broke the shoulder and got all the goodies, but did not exit. It didn’t need too. FYI..

Good luck this season!

Todd

Please teach me.
I acquired a Hawken late last year hoping Utah would adopt Idaho’s muzzy regs.
Utah did not, but I am hoping we will soon so I am hanging on to the Hawken.
Question: How do you know it had the Green Mountain barrel?
Is that from the factory or did you upgrade the barrel?
Thanks!

LIK2HNT · Sep 29, 2024

MrShane said:
Please teach me.
I acquired a Hawken late last year hoping Utah would adopt Idaho’s muzzy regs.
Utah did not, but I am hoping we will soon so I am hanging on to the Hawken.
Question: How do you know it had the Green Mountain barrel?
Is that from the factory or did you upgrade the barrel?
Thanks!

See the proof mark before the 50 Cal? That is Green Mountains Logo.

tracker12 · Sep 29, 2024

Outstanding! Thats what I like about cow hunting in premium units. You get to see some great bulls on the hoof. I did 2 cow hunts in Unit 2 before I drew my bull tag there and each hunt was a great experience. Thats is a stud of a bull.

just_a_hunter · Sep 29, 2024

MrShane said:
Please teach me.
I acquired a Hawken late last year hoping Utah would adopt Idaho’s muzzy regs.
Utah did not, but I am hoping we will soon so I am hanging on to the Hawken.
Question: How do you know it had the Green Mountain barrel?
Is that from the factory or did you upgrade the barrel?
Thanks!

The Green Mountain Long Range Hunter barrels are an aftermarket upgrade. Unfortunately, they are no longer produced and are highly desirable. If you keep a close eye out and scour the interwebs, you can find them but be ready to bust out the checkbook. That said, I have had great luck with the T/C standard 1/48” twist barrels shooting bullets really well.

Todd

MrShane · Sep 29, 2024

LIK2HNT said:
See the proof mark before the 50 Cal? That is Green Mountains Logo.
View attachment 159443

Excellent, thanks.
I will check the barrel later today.

MrShane · Sep 29, 2024

LIK2HNT said:
See the proof mark before the 50 Cal? That is Green Mountains Logo.
View attachment 159443

Strikeout.

LIK2HNT · Sep 29, 2024

Yep, 1:48
GM use to make a lot of good barrels.
Have a 1:70 .50 cal for round balls.
A .62 cal. Smooth bore I use to use for turkey hunting and shooting planted pheasants over dogs.
And .45 cal LRH 1:30 twist
All fun to shoot
IMO you still have a great traditional muzzy

MrShane · Sep 30, 2024

LIK2HNT said:
Yep, 1:48
GM use to make a lot of good barrels.
Have a 1:70 .50 cal for round balls.
A .62 cal. Smooth bore I use to use for turkey hunting and shooting planted pheasants over dogs.
And .45 cal LRH 1:30 twist
All fun to shoot
IMO you still have a great traditional muzzy
View attachment 159545

Thank you.

elkhunterUT · Sep 30, 2024

Geez-you weren't kidding that herd bull was a good one. Always happens when you DON'T have the bull tag

Mallardsx2 · Sep 30, 2024

just_a_hunter said:
I managed to get a nice cow with my Muzzleloader... Would have been real handy to have a bull tag as the herd bull was a smoker... The tag was in a premium area in NW Colorado.

For those interested, this .50 cal T/C Hawken has a 1-28” Green Mountain LRH barrel. I used 110 gr GOEX 2f and 338 gr Powerbelt Platnum to take the elk. I haven't been a Powerbelt fan at all. I was going to use the 290 Hornady Bore Driver but these Powerbelts Shot a bit more accurately out of my Hawken and were way easier to load on follow up shots using Goex 2F. I was impressed with the terminal performance of these particular 338 grain Platnum bullets. Shot was 85 yards quartering too. It Broke the shoulder and got all the goodies, but did not exit. It didn’t need too. FYI..

Good luck this season!

Todd