11-10-2002, 06:27 AM
Skeeter2,
Curious what state you do your elk hunting in?? I live in southern CA but have hunted deer/elk in SW Colorado 4 of the last 8 years, always alone and on foot.
Colorado doesn't allow sabots, scopes, or pellets, so I hunt with an open sighted 54 cal, about 110 grains of BP, and whatever 350+ grain bullet has been giving best accuracy (usually home cast lee bullets). My range is limited more by open sights and poor ballistics than bullet energy.
No hunt this year, but in the 4 seasons I managed 3 deer and 2 good opportunities for elk. One elk lost to a simple misfire after a long day in the rain; the other to range misjudgement. In the fog I estimated 125yards and held at the top of his back; actual range paced to 75 yards so the bullet was 3 inches high. (Someday I'll learn to just aim at what I want to hit). A rangefinder, assuming it would lock on under the circustances would have saved the day.
My very limited experience suggests that quickness and solid lock on under adverse conditions are critical factors. Sorry to hear about your lost elk..what a heartbreaker..
Jerry
[signature]
Curious what state you do your elk hunting in?? I live in southern CA but have hunted deer/elk in SW Colorado 4 of the last 8 years, always alone and on foot.
Colorado doesn't allow sabots, scopes, or pellets, so I hunt with an open sighted 54 cal, about 110 grains of BP, and whatever 350+ grain bullet has been giving best accuracy (usually home cast lee bullets). My range is limited more by open sights and poor ballistics than bullet energy.
No hunt this year, but in the 4 seasons I managed 3 deer and 2 good opportunities for elk. One elk lost to a simple misfire after a long day in the rain; the other to range misjudgement. In the fog I estimated 125yards and held at the top of his back; actual range paced to 75 yards so the bullet was 3 inches high. (Someday I'll learn to just aim at what I want to hit). A rangefinder, assuming it would lock on under the circustances would have saved the day.
My very limited experience suggests that quickness and solid lock on under adverse conditions are critical factors. Sorry to hear about your lost elk..what a heartbreaker..
Jerry
[signature]