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Author Topic: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader  (Read 36344 times)

Offline Loco Ken

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Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« on: December 04, 2015, 09:58:10 AM »
Was wondering if anyone has done some experimenting on what the effective range of today's muzzleloaders might be.  I am shooting the Traditions Tracker and find it to be highly accurate up to 100 yards for me.  Now I know it is different for everyone, considering we all aren't successful sharpshooters in the US military, but if all things were made equal, what would you say would be the most effective range?
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Offline elkboy

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2015, 10:02:07 AM »
With the "open sights" rules in effect in Washington for muzzleloaders (i.e., no scopes!), I have found my effective range for a deer-sized animal to be about 100 yards.  Using a peep sight has extended this to about 110-120 yards, but I am usually reluctant to shoot that far.  I hope that helps!

Offline elkboy

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2015, 10:06:12 AM »
One other thought is that your maximum effective range will also depend on the position.  For me, to keep bullets reliably within a 4-5" group (to fit comfortably within the vitals of a deer):
-prone or tree stand with shooting rail: 100-110 yards
-seated position (on ground): 75 yards
-kneeling position: 60 yards
-offhand: 45-50 yards

Offline PolarBear

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2015, 10:10:17 AM »
I shoot a Traditions Evolution, can get 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards and 4" at 250.  Not sure how much power it has out past 250 but at 200 it still has enough punch to kill and elk.  I personally won't shoot at an elk or deer over 150 with it just to be safe. I much prefer under 100.

Offline The scout

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2015, 10:15:17 AM »
I practiced a lot out at 150yds this past year, would have been very comfortable with that shot, then called my bull into about 10 ft. I'm like a sniper at that range :chuckle:

Offline JimmyHoffa

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2015, 10:18:20 AM »
It was 100 yds for me with three pellets and sabots for deer.  I knew guys that would shoot and consistently blow up milk jugs out to 200 on sunny days with no wind.

Offline Loco Ken

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2015, 10:20:22 AM »
I practiced a lot out at 150yds this past year, would have been very comfortable with that shot, then called my bull into about 10 ft. I'm like a sniper at that range :chuckle:
That made me spew hot chocolate all over my desk.  Cannot see through all the spots on my computer screen now.   :chuckle:
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Offline Loco Ken

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2015, 10:26:21 AM »
With the "open sights" rules in effect in Washington for muzzleloaders (i.e., no scopes!), I have found my effective range for a deer-sized animal to be about 100 yards.  Using a peep sight has extended this to about 110-120 yards, but I am usually reluctant to shoot that far.  I hope that helps!
Yes, very much so.  Thanks elkboy!

I shoot a Traditions Evolution, can get 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards and 4" at 250.  Not sure how much power it has out past 250 but at 200 it still has enough punch to kill and elk.  I personally won't shoot at an elk or deer over 150 with it just to be safe. I much prefer under 100.
That's really what I'm worried about.  I would like to know this for my rifle for fear of not having enough stopping power and wounding an animal at unsafe distances.

One other thought is that your maximum effective range will also depend on the position.  For me, to keep bullets reliably within a 4-5" group (to fit comfortably within the vitals of a deer):
-prone or tree stand with shooting rail: 100-110 yards
-seated position (on ground): 75 yards
-kneeling position: 60 yards
-offhand: 45-50 yards
Nice.  Those are good, safe distances for any rifle really.
"Why yes, I like to go hunting.  It's like going grocery shopping, Like a BOSS!"
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Offline bobcat

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2015, 10:36:57 AM »
I prefer 75 yards or closer. For elk if everything was perfect I could stretch that out to about 120. Deer I probably wouldn't shoot past 100.

Offline lokidog

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2015, 12:12:19 PM »
"That's really what I'm worried about.  I would like to know this for my rifle for fear of not having enough stopping power and wounding an animal at unsafe distances."

Find someone with a chronograph to get your muzzle velocity.  You should be able to figure out residual energy at varying distances with one of the many programs on the internet.  Then, make sure your bullet will still perform to specs at the estimated impact velocity for the distance.

Offline Bob33

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2015, 12:32:29 PM »
The two limiting factors are the ability to hit something, and the ability to ethically kill it when you do.

I may have missed it, but you didn’t indicate that you planned to use this in muzzleloader seasons. If so, you are restricted to open sights. If you are using the muzzleloader during modern seasons with a modern tag, you can use optical sights. In that case it’s certainly possible to shoot excellent groups at distances of 200 yards or more. If you are shooting with open sights, there are few who can hit deer sized targets consistently past 125 yards, and maybe 150 yards with elk.

The ability to kill something is largely dependent on how much energy the projectile retains. Muzzleloader projectiles have relatively low ballistic coefficients, which means they lose velocity and thus energy faster than traditional centerfire bullets. You’d probably be lucky to find one with a coefficient much higher than .25. By comparison there are lots of centerfire bullets with BCs in the .4 to .5 and higher range.

If you hit it right and use the right projectile and powder charge you can probably cleanly kill a deer at up to 250 yards. I think that 200 yards would be pushing it on elk. They’re big, tough animals.
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Offline JKEEN33

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #11 on: December 04, 2015, 12:45:23 PM »
i shoot into a box built from 2x10 filled with sand at 220 yards. I can keep them in about a 5" group at that range. The bullet passes through the 2x6 and well into the sand. I have killed an elk at 180 yards using a good rest on a tree. Bullet went through both lungs and lodged under the skin on opposit side. I've had the same result with a 300 wsm. Biggest issue you're going to have is how far can you see to make a shot with open sites.

Offline DeerThug

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #12 on: December 04, 2015, 02:53:14 PM »
Longest shot i tried was 147 on a buck - BUT he was on a steep incline and i aimed at the top of the neck and with the bullet drop broke his spine in the middle of the ribs.  So i was pretty comfortable doing it.  Had a solid rest etc.  Other situations no way  100 is the limit...

Elk i prefer up close and personal.... most of which are under 50 that i have taken.

I shoot one of the first and cheapest traditions they came out with and have killed a ton with it.  The newer ones i am sure are more accurate further out.  I just know what my gun will do and hunt to that limit...
Shoot straight Shoot often

Offline floatinghat

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #13 on: December 04, 2015, 09:19:59 PM »

I passed a 6x6 at 163 yd broad side this year because A) I haven't practiced enough at near that distance B) shoot 105gr fff 777 with a 275gr bloodline I question the knock down at more than 125yd with anything less than a perfect shot.

Offline Soady

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #14 on: December 04, 2015, 10:18:35 PM »
All good points to take into account, most often the more time one spends shooting muzzys at longer ranges will improve your skill of hitting and ethically killing your game animal. In addition eyesight will limit most shooters that wear glasses as it is harder to find the target in the lenses sweet spot. Myself I wear contacts now and am far sighted to begin with, so I use a peep sight and feel comfortable shooting beyond 100 yards. 

Another factor to take into account as stated above is finding that magic bullet your muzzy will shoot consistently out to those ranges and still carry energy. For a good read on those bullets here is a good starting point by a company called Precision Bullets. For those that want to learn and improve their chances at longer ranges start reading their test results with their products compared to the other offerings on the market. In no way am I promoting their products merely there is a wealth of information they present for the lay person who wants to know and learn long range muzzle loader shooting.
I will however most likely try some of their products this next year as I would like to hunt modern with my muzzy, which will be carrying a scope and the 209 primer.
Here is the link:


https://www.prbullet.com/bal.htm     

  https://www.prbullet.com/     
Whatever........

Offline Utah

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #15 on: December 05, 2015, 01:19:06 AM »
Read test results?   haha laffin.   Don't read it.  Do it.  Dead Center took a cow this year and a cow last year.   But the Plastic crap for a bullet starter that Precision wants you to put on the end of your ramrod?  Worthlesss..  I do however think a P Dead Center will dig deeper into an elk than a TTSX or a powerbelt.. Which is a good thing...
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Offline lokidog

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #16 on: December 05, 2015, 10:04:28 AM »
All good points to take into account, most often the more time one spends shooting muzzys at longer ranges will improve your skill of hitting and ethically killing your game animal. In addition eyesight will limit most shooters that wear glasses as it is harder to find the target in the lenses sweet spot. Myself I wear contacts now and am far sighted to begin with, so I use a peep sight and feel comfortable shooting beyond 100 yards. 

Another factor to take into account as stated above is finding that magic bullet your muzzy will shoot consistently out to those ranges and still carry energy. For a good read on those bullets here is a good starting point by a company called Precision Bullets. For those that want to learn and improve their chances at longer ranges start reading their test results with their products compared to the other offerings on the market. In no way am I promoting their products merely there is a wealth of information they present for the lay person who wants to know and learn long range muzzle loader shooting.
I will however most likely try some of their products this next year as I would like to hunt modern with my muzzy, which will be carrying a scope and the 209 primer.
Here is the link:


https://www.prbullet.com/bal.htm     

  https://www.prbullet.com/     

I used one of these (well, three   :rolleyes: not the fault of the bullet ) to get my sheep this year as well as finish off a deer for someone.  I had some of the old style extreme elites 300 gr.

As far as their plastic contoured tip, my ramrod already had a recessed tip which worked fine.

Offline Soady

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #17 on: December 05, 2015, 11:07:29 AM »
Another "read" source by Toby Bridges of NAMLH, which can help with long range bullet selections.
"Do" a bit of digging around in the link and you can find answers related to help long range shooting with a muzzy.

  http://www.namlhunt.com/longrangeml2.html 
Whatever........

Offline Jonathan_S

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #18 on: December 05, 2015, 11:13:33 AM »
Depending on shooter, projectile, propellant, weather, and time of day...anywhere from 50 yards to 250 yards

Kindly do not attempt to cloud the issue with too many facts.

Offline MD36

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #19 on: December 30, 2015, 04:11:52 AM »
I prefer 75 yards or closer. For elk if everything was perfect I could stretch that out to about 120. Deer I probably wouldn't shoot past 100.

I second this.

Offline Squidward

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #20 on: December 30, 2015, 07:39:43 AM »
I like them under 100yrds, I did kill a big cow at 209yrds with a TC Hawkins 80gr, 3F BP, 370gr Maxi Ball. double lung. 

Offline PolarBear

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #21 on: December 30, 2015, 03:56:14 PM »
I passed up on a monster 4 point blacktail this year at 168 yards.  I could hit that all day long with a rest but off hand on a bedded buck in deep ferns and a 20 mph cross wind, It didn't feel right.  I also only had one way to try and close the distance and it was with the wind to my back.  Needless to say he is still out there.   :bash:

Offline cbond3318

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #22 on: December 30, 2015, 04:11:16 PM »
I practiced a lot this year at 150 yards. I found I was dialed left to right consistently every shot but my elevations averaged +\- 6", which isn't horrible with a muzzleloader with open sights but, in the field , at that range and with open sights the entire animal is covered up with sight. In the stalks I
Put on I opted to get within 120 or less. It is extremely tough for me on open country mule deer to accurately judge hold over once my sight leaves the deers  back.  :twocents:
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Offline coachcw

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #23 on: December 30, 2015, 04:29:14 PM »
150-200 with the right sights .
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Offline Karl Blanchard

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #24 on: December 30, 2015, 04:35:56 PM »
I switched to a rear peep and a small fiber optic front bead many years ago and it greatly increased my accuracy.  I like reactionary targets for my range time so balloons or water jugs are my go too.  200 yards is my comfort zone.  I'm confident in my bullet at that distance.  I've taken a couple deer at the 170 mark and one spike elk at the 160 line.  I have seen on two different occassions, deer shot past 200 with the same load as mine.  First was a mule deer at 225 yards.  Perfect broadside shot, bullet was on the off side hide mushroomed perfectly. 

Second deer was actually a follow up shot.  I was hunting with a friend on his late bald mountain buck tag.  We rattled in a very respectable 3x3 for the area and he had a hang fire at 30 yards resulting in an upper leg hit.  By the time we got to the top of the ridge, he was across the canyon and flat packing the mail!  My buddy got prone and I started hammering the fawn distress on an open reed call I had.  The buck stopped, I ranged him at 308 and he touched it off.  Buck folded in his tracks!  Bullet went in a bit high but blew through the scapula and lodged in the hide on the off side.  Mushroomed out with two of the pedals slightly torn back.

So I guess the answer is I am confident that a 300gr Speer Deepcurl pushed by 100grns of powder is plenty enough thump to take a mule deer at 300 yards (probably more) though that is out of my comfort range.  I am of the mind set though that if an animal is already wounded I'm going to keep shooting until it is dead, so knowing the performance of my load is a nice little nugget of info to have logged away.
« Last Edit: December 30, 2015, 05:07:28 PM by BLRman »
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Offline jmsurra

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #25 on: March 06, 2016, 01:05:10 PM »
I switched to a rear peep and a small fiber optic front bead many years ago and it greatly increased my accuracy.  I like reactionary targets for my range time so balloons or water jugs are my go too.  200 yards is my comfort zone.  I'm confident in my bullet at that distance.  I've taken a couple deer at the 170 mark and one spike elk at the 160 line.  I have seen on two different occassions, deer shot past 200 with the same load as mine.  First was a mule deer at 225 yards.  Perfect broadside shot, bullet was on the off side hide mushroomed perfectly. 

Second deer was actually a follow up shot.  I was hunting with a friend on his late bald mountain buck tag.  We rattled in a very respectable 3x3 for the area and he had a hang fire at 30 yards resulting in an upper leg hit.  By the time we got to the top of the ridge, he was across the canyon and flat packing the mail!  My buddy got prone and I started hammering the fawn distress on an open reed call I had.  The buck stopped, I ranged him at 308 and he touched it off.  Buck folded in his tracks!  Bullet went in a bit high but blew through the scapula and lodged in the hide on the off side.  Mushroomed out with two of the pedals slightly torn back.

So I guess the answer is I am confident that a 300gr Speer Deepcurl pushed by 100grns of powder is plenty enough thump to take a mule deer at 300 yards (probably more) though that is out of my comfort range.  I am of the mind set though that if an animal is already wounded I'm going to keep shooting until it is dead, so knowing the performance of my load is a nice little nugget of info to have logged away.

I agree. Know your weapon, know what it does. Use that knowledge, use your ethics. That will help you determine the range your ML shoots that day.

Offline SkookumHntr

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Re: Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader
« Reply #26 on: March 06, 2016, 01:21:05 PM »
I've killed a cow elk at 190yards! I practice out to 200 yards and felt comfortable with the shot! 200 would be my absolute max! 150yards is still a poke, definitely hoping for 100 or less
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