.50 cal austin&helleck

[btkilla]

i am a beginner black powder shooter.i just got a .50 cal austin&helleck flintlock with a one in 66'' twist. i wanna hunt elk with it. if i keep my shots inside 100 yrds. and shoot at the elk broadside will it go clear through? i will be using a patched round ball, and the gun shoots beautifully. very accurate at 100yds.also does anyone have any input on the austin & halleck mountain rifles? any advice would be great

 

[btkilla]

anybody?

 

[kjeff50cal]

All I can say is if your gun shoots a PRB with a 90 + charge of FFG accurately you are good to go for -100 yards. That being said a round ball weighs in at 177 (.490) to 182 (.495) grains you may not get the required penetration at the long end of your self imposed yardage limit. Get a copy of Lyman's Black Powder Handbook & Loading Manual. It is the modern blackpowder shooter's goto.

kjeff50cal

 

[scotjute]

I just acquired an Austin and Halleck this summer, but have only had it out shooting one time, so I don't have any advice on one yet.
Would recommend you ask this question as a general question about .50 cal. roundball on elk and recommended distance limits for large game. If I could place the ball accurately at 100 yds. would have no problem shooting a white tail with one. Something bigger like an elk would give me pause.

 

[JMusic]

I have an Austin and Halleck but its the modern muzzleloader style. I think you are stretching it just a bit as far as shoot thru and thru. I'm sure you can kill one at 100 yards with a good center shot but if you hit any bone you don't have enough weight to guarrantee total thru penetration. Unfortunately with the twist rate you have little choice other than shooting balls. Good luck.
Jim