Long distance shots

[Phishead]

I'm relatively new to muzzleloading and bought a beautiful new BigHorn this year. The one thing I haven't figured out is the distance limit on my gun at this point. I can hit targets at 100yards consistently. However I've read about guys shooting upwards of 200yards with their muzzleloaders. How is this achieved? I shoot 100gr of powder with 295 gr powerbelt bullet. do I need to increase my powder volume to get the distance? any info is greatly appreciated.

[boneaddict]

I like your 100 yard max.   With open sites, I think it would take a tremendous amount of practice to be able to shoot out that far.   

[Skyvalhunter]

Spoken from the longbow king!!

[sirmissalot]

I can consistently hit the gong at the range at 200 yards with mine but I'm not a muzzleloader hunter. It only drops about a foot. I shoot the 290 grain Barnes TMZ with 150 grains of pyrodex

[mtman]

I've heard of people shooting that far too, Never seen it. That front sight starts covering way too much at that distance.Those people are probably practicing  none stop or they don't talk about all the other shots.

[jrebel]

I would strongly recommend a peep sight if you want to shoot that far.  Sight your rifle in at the furthest rang and then hold under for closer.  This will fix the problem of your sight covering your the animal.  Completely backwards way of thought so it takes tons of practice.

[lonedave]

If you're going to shoot that far at game, I'd do as Jrebel says.  I'd also say you're probably going to need a good rangefinder too.  Just a few yards difference either way will make a fairly large change in point of impact at that range, even with the modern stuff.  Also, I don't know how the modern bullets work, but I can tell you a roundball doesn't like the wind, especially at longer ranges!  Personally, when I moved to a traditional muzzleloader from a longbow, I tried to keep the same logic, though maybe modified a little.  With a longbow, I always tried to be 10 yards or less.  With a muzzleloader, I try for 50 yards max.  That way, even an extra 10 - 15 yards and I'm still in good range.  Even in open country like the wide open Snake River canyon, 50 yards is generally do-able and I've taken one buck from inside 10 yards.  Don't get me wrong though, I love shooting at longer distances.  I always figured that if I could be good at long range, the shorter shots would be that much easier.

Dave

[carpsniperg2]

I have done a lot of hunting and shooting with a smokepole. I really feel like 100 yards is a good range "FOR ME" I have shot some deer at up to 130 yards. It gets very hard to do because the front pin covers the majority of the deer at those extended ranges.

[Wea300mag]

This was the first year I hunted muzzy and 80 yards was my limit. After more practice that will extend to 100-120 yards. I can't see me ever shooting 200 unless it's a mangy coyote.

[kevinmeister]

It is my opinion that with a modern black powder rifle a 150+ shot can be a very ethical and lethal shot.  It definitely takes practice.  I shoot a Knight Disc Extreme 50 cal.  (and I can't say enough about this gun).   I spent a lot of time at the range this past fall and it paid off for me.  You have to experiment with what works best for you and your particular rifle.  I started out shooting 300 grain Hornady SST sabots with 120 grains of pyrodex powder.  While zeroing, I was accurate at 75 yards, but at 100 yards, I noticed that my accuracy dropped off and I was experiencing several inches of drop.  I increased the powder to 150 grains and my accuracy improved, but the cannon blast became too much.  So I dropped the weight of my sabot to a 250 grain Hornady SST and keep the powder at 150 grains.  Bingo!!!  Not too much kick, and I was ripping tight groups at 100 yards.  I noticed a much flatter trajectory with less drop on paper.  The other thing that I think is important to work on is your sight picture.   I was speaking with a guy at a range once and I was asking him how I could become more accurate at further distances when my front post would cover the entire target.  He taught me not to cover the target with the front sight but rather "lolly pop" the target with the front sight.  Meaning- place the target on top of the front sight.  This way, the front post and the target will both be visible.   Just as Jrebel said, sight your rifle for the furthest range and then hold under for a closer target.  Lastly, invest in a good peep sight.  Sabotloader has some good threads on Peep sights, front posts and hoods. 

I think the main thing to take from this is that you need to experiment and find what works for you and determine what distance you are comfortable shooting at and that takes a lot of practice. 

[Dan-o]

I've hunted M/L for 35 years or so.   Practiced quite a bit (up to 25-30 times a year for 8-10 years straight).   Got to where I could shoot some pretty nice groups, by my way of thinking.

I have a peep.   I am comfy to 100 yards.

I'm not saying a guy can't ethically shoot at game with a M/L at 200 yards, but I am saying that I can't.   

[kevinmeister]

If you are still shooting a 35 year old Muzzleloader, then I can understand why you are comfortable at 100 yards.  But the newer inline MLs are almost as accurate as a Modern Rifle, especially when you add a peep sight and shooting jacketed sabots. 

[Dan-o]

If you are still shooting a 35 year old Muzzleloader, then I can understand why your are still only "comfy" at 100 yards.  But the newer inline MLs are almost as accurate as a Modern Rifle, especially when you are shooting jacketed sabots.

Yeah, I shoot a T/C Black Diamond XR now.      The thing looks more like a ray gun than a muzzleloader (composite thumbhole stock, stainless barrel).    It is very accurate - as long as I can use the front dot and not cover an entire target.     I have the smallest Williams peep.

I still can't hold groups at 200 yards.   Not saying others can't.   Just saying I can't, and I know I've shot way more than most.   


Clearly, the weapon has the ability to kill humanely at 200 yards.    I just don't think many operators do.   But, to any that can ---->   More power to you.

I think each hunter needs to know their ethical limitations, and that's all I was trying to convey.

[kevinmeister]

Agree 100%.   

[usmc74]

I'm relatively new to muzzleloading and bought a beautiful new BigHorn this year. The one thing I haven't figured out is the distance limit on my gun at this point. I can hit targets at 100yards consistently. However I've read about guys shooting upwards of 200yards with their muzzleloaders. How is this achieved? I shoot 100gr of powder with 295 gr powerbelt bullet. do I need to increase my powder volume to get the distance? any info is greatly appreciated.

I didn't have good accuracy with the powerbelts from my bighorn (older model).  I have been using the SST, 300 gr, w/100 gr of tripple 7 loose.  I do have the peep sight, works great.