Is a .50 caliber patched round ball OK for elk?

[flintlock.50]

I can get 1995 fps MV out of my flintlock with 90 grains of Swiss FFFg behind a patched .490 ball. What are your thoughts on this for elk? My personal feeling is that I'd want to limit my shot to less than 75 yards because a round ball loses velocity so quickly. Am I being too conservative? Anyone out there ever done this?

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

 

[B.L.E.]

I agree with keeping your shots under 75 yds. Round balls shed velocity like they have parachutes tied to them, and because they lose velocity, they also are severely deflected by cross winds.

From Lyman's Black Powder Handbook:

.495 round ball
Muzzle velocity 1900 fps.
25 yards 1648 fps
50 yards 1425 fps
75 yards 1230 fps
100 yards 1075 fps

A .495 round ball weighs 182 grains so at 75 yards, your .50 pretty much equals a .357 magnum pistol.

 

[kwhi43]

Yea, But a pure lead .495 round ball at 1230 fps is a much better "killer" than
a .357. Not even in the same ballpark. Nothing is better for putting a animal
down than a pure lead ball. And thats the way it is, really.