Effective range of a .50 cal. muzzleloader

[Loco Ken]

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?

[elkboy]

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!

[elkboy]

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

[PolarBear]

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.

[The scout]

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

[JimmyHoffa]

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.

[Loco Ken]

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

That made me spew hot chocolate all over my desk.  Cannot see through all the spots on my computer screen now.   

[Loco Ken]

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.

[bobcat]

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.

[lokidog]

"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.

[Bob33]

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.

[JKEEN33]

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.

[DeerThug]

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...

[floatinghat]

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.

[Soady]

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/