I will be using my T/C Renegade in .54 for a cow elk early this fall in Idaho. I have hunted for several decades with centerfire but never have hunted with a muzzleloader. I will be using genuine black powder, musket caps and a conical bullet. I will not shoot at anything over 100 yards and I will try my best to keep my shot around 50 yards or less if possible.
I have some 425 gr Hornady Great Plains HP but am thinking of trying a 400 Grain Hoffman & Wright "Accu-Mag" which is a harder cast R.E.A.L. design with a wide Mepat.
So my question is about shot placement and bullet type. Where is the best place to shoot a cow elk with this kind of set up? I DON'T want to chase a wounded cow elk all over creation. I really want to anchor the thing in it's tracks as much as possible.
If I go for a shoulder shot and break down the front shoulder is either bullet likely to continue on and penetrate into the vitals?
If I go for a double lung shot will either of these bullets still have enough juice to perhaps break the shoulder on the other side?
Maybe if I am presented with a close shot I do go for a neck shot providing my marksmanship skills are up to snuff?
I'm interested in hearing you opinions especially those of you who have "been there, done that".