Montana Idaho border land elk

[flatwater bill]

I begin my last elk hunt tomorrow. A controlled (draw) bull tag after only 28 years of applying. A 200 year old (replica) rifle and a nearly identically aged hunter......do we have one more bull left in us? We'll see. Spent last few days casting .612 round balls out of lead with approx 10% tin added. Re-chipped a new flint from a rock I collected off the top of Oregon Buttes (East) in Wyoming, and measured out 6 loads of 110 grains of Goex 3F for the possibles bag. Velocity was 1560 fps and at 340 grains the energy was 1838 ft lbs. or 2492 joules. My range is about 75 yards. A neighbor commented...."you have a rifle tag, why don't you use a rifle?" To which I replied, I AM using a rifle. .......good hunting........FWB

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

That gorgeous flint lock deserves one more bull, I hope you fill that tag.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

You’ve got years of knowledge and skill many others don’t have. Looking forward to the photos to follow

 

[Pilgrim]

Very cool hunting style, let us know how it goes.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Beautiful wood, just carrying it is enough. The kill isn’t as important.

 

[gillettehunter]

Great rifle. Good attitude. Best of luck on your hunt. Weather has cooled off and perhaps you got some of the snow that we got. Keep us updated on how it goes.
Bruce

 

[Berettaco]

Good luck! Hope you have an enjoyable hunt - that is a beauty of a rifle, glad to see it getting out to the field

 

[HerbJohnson]

Your introduction attention-getting! As was aforementioned, the rifle outstanding! May your adventure be just that! Shoot straight! Bon Voyage!

 

[Fixfire]

Beautiful wood, just carrying it is enough. The kill isn’t as important.

…..as well as the time preparing.

 

[Tra3]

Just left Montana. It was super warm for the first week of deer/elk season. Hopefully you get some snow and cold weather.

That rifle knows how to find an animal, just follow it.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Beautiful wood, just carrying it is enough. The kill isn’t as important.

After applying for the hunt for 28 years, I don't know that the kill would be less important than the pretty stock. I'm sure he knows what he's doing and the risks. Best of luck to him.

 

[VertigoBE]

Best of luck @flatwater bill , it would be quite a story to tell and a crowning achievement to succeed in taking a bull elk with that gorgeous flint lock.

 

[fourfive8]

Hunt close. Shoot straight. Shoot once. Follow through. May the constellation Orion guide you. I hunted my last elk years ago with a Hawken replica I built in 1976. That flinter deserves a walk in the elk woods! Good luck

 

[flatwater bill]

Update: Back home for 2 days to rest and restock. In the dry, one can leave a muzzleloader unfired for 2 days, and still have a good chance at ignition. In wet weather, it should be fired and cleaned every evening. This is a challenge if camped remotely. Shooting about camp may not help matters. Leaving camp, on my way to the store, I fired a late evening shot then cleaned vigorously........have seen a few elk, but none that wanted to commit suicide....yet.......FWB

 

[F. Vaccaro]

Normal elk season goes to Dec. 1. You still have a good chance, hope you fill your tag.

 

[gillettehunter]

At least you have seen a few. That always gives hope.
Bruce

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]