54 cal PRB vs 50 cal PA conical

[orchemo]

Have an upcoming elk hunt and sorting through my existing rifle options.

Couple questions:
1. For 54 cal PRB is there a velocity to achieve or just best accuracy? Have a good charge with 90 grs FFF that gets me 1710 fps

2. I have a short barrel 50 cal that with 80gr FFF PA conicals, I got 1600 fps. Ran out of powder, before getting a good ideas of groups, but a respectable velocity from a 21 inch barrel. Seems the heavier 50 gr conicals would be similar to the 54 cal PRB for elk shots?

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Either will work fine. Used the same 54 load as you in my 54 and it does well on whitetails with complete pass thru so you will be good to go on elk. 54 round ball is a proven killer. Dan.

 

[Darkhorse]

For an elk hunt I would want my prb to be traveling as fast as possible along with the best accuracy possible. The prb is a deadly killer. I would leave the conicals at home.

 

[Guy Miner]

Probably the most dedicated muzzle-loader hunter I know always uses round ball and real black powder. He's taken more doggone elk, bear and mule deer with that combo over about 30 years...

I went with the "Great Plains" conical as it shot better from my traditional T-C White Mountain Carbine. It worked well, but it hasn't been out of the safe except for mild cleaning in about ten years.

Guy

 

[trapper10]

Whats the range limit with PRB on elk with the set up mentioned here ?

 

[Darkhorse]

I would limit myself to 100 yards. But I think the round ball would perform beyond that distance. It depends on how accurate you are. I wouldn't push it much farther though. A round ball has the ballistics of a softball.

 

[orchemo]

Thanks everyone. Been shooting more PRB and feeling good with the accuracy. Doing my part, I feel accurate to 100 yards.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

If you have the eyes for using open sights 125-135 yds are very doable for a .54 prb deer no problem elk might want to stay closer to 100yds or so. Dan.

 

[orchemo]

I just installed a Lyman peep sight on my Great Plains rifle. Roughly sighted in using the iron sites. Will head to the range tomorrow to fine tune.

90grs Triple 7 FFFg with a PRB gives 1815 fps. And a small SD.

Elk
Season starts the week of Thanksgiving !!!!

 

[orchemo]

The peep sight really helps me.

This was a 6 inch sticker dot at 100 yds with 3 shots. Then I knocked over 4 steel rams at 110 yds and feeling good.

Season opening Saturday. Snowing in the cascades so getting excited.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

That is fine shooting. You are good to go. Dan.

 

[JD338]

The peep sight really helps me.

This was a 6 inch sticker dot at 100 yds with 3 shots. Then I knocked over 4 steel rams at 110 yds and feeling good.

Season opening Saturday. Snowing in the cascades so getting excited.

Dang. That's excellent accuracy.
I'd be happy with that group from a scoped center fire rifle.
Best of luck to you on the elk hunt.

JD338

 

[RL338]

That’s pretty impressive shooting. Thinking the elk are in trouble