Long distance shots

[throttlejocky20]

This was my first time using a front stuffer and by the time the season opened i was confident shooting 150 yards. I did take a poke at a cyote at 300 just for fun. I had no idea how far the bullet would drop and holding over the yote vanished because of the barrel. I took a guess and squeezzed off. The old man was standing about 10 feet to my left (to be clear of the smoke) watching with binos. He said dirt flew right behind the hind legs. With that said i would have never taken that shot on a deer or elk!

[HoofsandWings]

If you do not know the range, do you pass on a trophy?
When making a shot, I believe confidence is a big factor. Of course on the other end of the scale, foolishness is a factor.
When I made the shot on a 4 point whitetail, I badly misjudged the distance, but I was confident with the shot.
I thought it was about 100 yards, but when I went back later with a range finder, I found out it was 152 yards.
Standing there, shooting off hand, I had no thoughts except making a good shot at the buck.
 

[Bean Counter]

Not sure where you 'heard' but in some states  you can put a scope on your muzzy. That would make reaching otu to 200 much easier.

[kevinmeister]

A scope is illegal in this state. 

[whacker1]

A scope is illegal in this state.

Yes, but a scope will help you at the range to take the open sight / human factor out of shooting to determine most accurate load. 

I did this with my Rem 700 ml a few years ago, and narrowed it down to the bullet that shot best with a certain powder combination.  tried several different bullets with various powder combinations.

I only changed powder this year, when I figured out I could tighten the groups a little by going from 70 grain fffg to 80 grains fffg.

I hope to shoot more this spring than I have in the last 2 years now that I should have a hair more time.

[CAMPMEAT]

You can use a scope in this state. Equipment and Hunting Methods page 74 section 5 in Muzzleloader Regulations.

[HoofsandWings]

You can use a scope in this state. Equipment and Hunting Methods page 74 section 5 in Muzzleloader Regulations.

Only if it is modern rifle season or you are disabled.

3.   In addition to the above requirements,
it is unlawful to participate (hunt) in a
muzzleloading hunting season using a
firearm that does not meet the following
specifications for a muzzleloader. As in
the past sabots are allowed. Any type of
projectile is allowed.
A modern handgun may be carried for
personal protection. Modern handguns
cannot be used to hunt big game or
dispatch wounded big game during a big
game hunting season for muzzleloading
firearms.
a.   Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock,
flintlock, or percussion using original
style percussion caps that fit on the
nipple and are exposed to the weather.
"Exposed to the weather" means the
percussion cap or the frizzen must
be visible and not capable of being
enclosed by an integral part of the
weapon proper. Primers designed to be
used in modern cartridges are not legal.
b.   Sights must be open, peep, or of other
open sight design. Fiber optic sights
are legal. Telescopic sights or sights
containing glass are prohibited.
c.   It is unlawful to have any electrical
device or equipment attached to a
muzzleloading firearm while hunting.
d.   Those persons lawfully hunting
big game with a double barrel
muzzleloader may only keep one barrel
loaded.
4.   Hunters with disabilities who meet the
definition of being visually impaired in
WAC 232-12-828 may receive a special
use permit that would allow the use of
scopes or other visual aids. A disabled
hunter permit holder in possession of a
special use permit that allows the use of a
scope or visual aid may hunt game birds
or game animals during muzzleloader
seasons. Contact the Department’s ADA
manager for further information.
5.   Muzzleloading firearms used during a
modern firearm season are not required
to meet ignition, sight, or double barrel
restrictions.

[Labs07]

I have shot 3 deer at over 100 yards and a bull at 75 yards.  I do practice but not all the time maybe once a month at the range and then a few times right before the opener.  All of my shots including the shot on the bull were one shot one kill and only one even ran and that was only 50 or so yards.  I know longer range is doable but not for me.  My max, I believe, is around 130 to 140 yards.

[kevinmeister]

Wish that were true, but you had better check the WA Big Game Hunting Regulations again CAMPMEAT.

That is the trouble with how the WA hunting regulations are written...  Two people can read them and come away with two different ideas about what is legal and not legal....      Again, a scope is not legal during ML season...

"b.   Sights must be open, peep, or of other
open sight design. Fiber optic sights
are legal. Telescopic sights or sights
containing glass are prohibited."

[CAMPMEAT]

You can use a scope in this state. Equipment and Hunting Methods page 74 section 5 in Muzzleloader Regulations.

Only if it is modern rifle season or you are disabled.

3.   In addition to the above requirements,
it is unlawful to participate (hunt) in a
muzzleloading hunting season using a
firearm that does not meet the following
specifications for a muzzleloader. As in
the past sabots are allowed. Any type of
projectile is allowed.
A modern handgun may be carried for
personal protection. Modern handguns
cannot be used to hunt big game or
dispatch wounded big game during a big
game hunting season for muzzleloading
firearms.
a.   Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock,
flintlock, or percussion using original
style percussion caps that fit on the
nipple and are exposed to the weather.
"Exposed to the weather" means the
percussion cap or the frizzen must
be visible and not capable of being
enclosed by an integral part of the
weapon proper. Primers designed to be
used in modern cartridges are not legal.
b.   Sights must be open, peep, or of other
open sight design. Fiber optic sights
are legal. Telescopic sights or sights
containing glass are prohibited.
c.   It is unlawful to have any electrical
device or equipment attached to a
muzzleloading firearm while hunting.
d.   Those persons lawfully hunting
big game with a double barrel
muzzleloader may only keep one barrel
loaded.
4.   Hunters with disabilities who meet the
definition of being visually impaired in
WAC 232-12-828 may receive a special
use permit that would allow the use of
scopes or other visual aids. A disabled
hunter permit holder in possession of a
special use permit that allows the use of a
scope or visual aid may hunt game birds
or game animals during muzzleloader
seasons. Contact the Department’s ADA
manager for further information.
5.   Muzzleloading firearms used during a
modern firearm season are not required
to meet ignition, sight, or double barrel
restrictions.

Why do people always have to argue about a simple question answered by a simple response.........

[CAMPMEAT]

Wish that were true, but you had better check the WA Big Game Hunting Regulations again CAMPMEAT.

That is the trouble with how the WA hunting regulations are written...  Two people can read them and come away with two different ideas about what is legal and not legal....      Again, a scope is not legal during ML season...

"b.   Sights must be open, peep, or of other
open sight design. Fiber optic sights
are legal. Telescopic sights or sights
containing glass are prohibited."

Read my response. He didn't ask about ALL of rights or wrongs, he asked if you could use a scope, plain and simple.

[HoofsandWings]

Yes, we are making sure no one misinterprets what is said here.
If you can quote chapter and verse, then no problem.
But if you are a casual reader, that is something else.
The penalties for being underinformed/misinformed are severe.

If you make a statement, you should qualify it to be sure no one can mis-interpret what you say.
Not all of us read and understand the regs.

Then there are some of us that have never read the regs.

[CAMPMEAT]

Yes, we are making sure no one misinterprets what is said here.
If you can quote chapter and verse, then no problem.
But if you are a casual reader, that is something else.
The penalties for being underinformed/misinformed are severe.

If you make a statement, you should qualify it to be sure no one can mis-interpret what you say.
Not all of us read and understand the regs.

Then there are some of us that have never read the regs.

I know what you mean, sorry for being a little crass, but people should learn how to read, look something up instead of relying on other peoples take on things. It's all right there if they take the time to investigate.  I never, ever take someones word for it. The best thing to do is call the WDFW and get the wrong answer. 

[kevinmeister]

[/quote]

Why do people always have to argue about a simple question answered by a simple response.........
[/quote]Because contrary to your beliefs, this world is filled with stupid people that would take your word for it and go put a scope on their ML...  This is the world we live in.... people that don't read the rules but will take your word for it.... 

[colockumelk]

In 2008 and 2009 I was 100% confident out to 150yds, with a self imposed limit of 200yds.
This year my max limit was 125.

The difference was this year I wasn't able to get out to the range nearly as much as I did in the past.  My max range I will shoot changes each year based on how much I get to practise and my confidence level.  And yes I have a peep sight, and experimented with a bunch of different loads.  Furrently I shoot 100grains of 777 loose and a 300 grain deep curl bullet.