what do you consider your max range?

[Skyvalhunter]

My max is 40 yards.

[Chukarhead]

Like most, I prefer close shots, and do what I can to get inside 100 yards.  That said, I'd shoot an elk at 200 (my current longest shot was 160ish), and deer at 150 (current longest 143).  For me, the max range on elk is limited by terminal performance, while the max on deer is limited by target size.

I shoot Barnes T-EZ 290gr on top of 120gr FFF T7.  As Sabotloader posted above, you should meet the minimum velocity for bullet expansion at 200 yards.  Barnes suggests a minimum of 1,300 fps.

With regard to penetration, all deer that I've shot or have been involved with have been pass-through shots with my preferred load.  Most bullets shot into elk have tangled in the far-side hide, but a couple have been pass-through (including the 160yd broadside heart/double lung shot on a spike).  I don't know how many animals that's been...several annually since Washington did away with the lead bullet requirement.  We haven't lost one yet, and the Barnes bullets have performed as advertised on shots from less than 7 to over 160 yards.

I wouldn't think twice about a quartering-away bear at 80 yards with the experiences I've had with this load over the years.  Happy hunting!

[NW_Bucketlist]

With the right setup and sights 200yrds for elk. My new gun I did a lot of reading on long range muzzy setups. I setup my Disc extreme with a adjustable peep in the rear and a AR crosshair peep on a dove tail ramp on the front. Looking down it it acts like a 1x power scope with the right light. I took my bull last week at 176yrds one shot complete pass through laying down on a bi pod. Shooting 290 grain Barnes with 110grains of triple 7 FFFG. I have seen some really nice bulls killed with this load setup all dropping in there tracks.

[yorketransport]

Thanks for all the replies guys! So far I'm really starting to like this muzzleloader thing, although all I saw during deer season were bulls and all I saw during elk season were bucks.

I'll probably end up buying a Disc Extreme once the seasons are over and keep my pawnshop Winchester X-150 as a backup/loaner gun. I've really got my eye on one of the .52 caliber versions just because I like the idea of using .475 bullets.

[X-Force]

148 yards... could not close to 100

[WSU]

Another data point here.  I shot a small 4x4 bull last week at 130 yards.  Broke one rib and through the lungs.  Went through the meat on both front quarters (didn't hit bone but sure messed up a lot of meat) and exited.  I'm 99% sure the 290 barnes didn't expand, as the exit looked perfectly round and .5 inches in the hide.  Elk went 30 yards down a steep hill and was dead by the time I reloaded and ran the 100 yards to get a look down the hill.

[Jolten]

Does this mean you're going to look into a custom muzzleloader now?

[boneaddict]

Probably a 100 yards.  I'm used to getting alot closer to things, so Id probably aim for 50 or less

[coachcw]

I shoot barnes tmez 250grain and two pyrodex pellets out of my knight ultralight . thing shoots great . max with the factory sights is probably 100-150 just because of the pin size . i need to swap out for sure at some point.

[eyesinfront]

You don't have to get the 52cal to shoot .475. Harvester makes a sabot for the 475 to shoot in the 50 cal (light blue ones). I use the Speer Deep Curl 275gr .475 bullets. Not only are they good performers on game they are pretty inexpensive to shoot and sportsman usually has a few boxes on had. I run a Williams Peep and globe sight and have no problem keeping rounds in a 5in group at 200yds.  I killed an elk last year at 225 and both shots were complete pass troughs.  This year i shot an elk at about 50 quartering away and the Speer stopped just under the skin on the off shoulder.

[HntnFsh]

Those are a great muzzy bullet. I didn't think any deep curls were available anymore. May have to look into it. The pass throughs amaze me. Muzzy bullet pass through is very rare.

[Dark2Dark]

with muzzy bigger weights are better. When we were a all lead state, I shot 440-460gr bullets. With todays newer bullets I still try to stay around 300 gr. I shoot the 290gr barnes.

For elk I'm in the 300ish grain group too.  I feel 250 is too light. When I was shooting lead I was closer to 350 grains.

A 250 gr bullet pushed by 200 grains of powder lays a real wallop on 'em. Running out of time to get things sighted in with a new load, shot the 250 Barnes TEZ in front of 150 grains of powder and the bullet performance at 142 yards was picturesque. To be fair I have tended to shoot their 295 grain bullet, but that sabot is not rated to 200 grains of powder.   

[HntnFsh]

with muzzy bigger weights are better. When we were a all lead state, I shot 440-460gr bullets. With todays newer bullets I still try to stay around 300 gr. I shoot the 290gr barnes.

For elk I'm in the 300ish grain group too.  I feel 250 is too light. When I was shooting lead I was closer to 350 grains.

A 250 gr bullet pushed by 200 grains of powder lays a real wallop on 'em. Running out of time to get things sighted in with a new load, shot the 250 Barnes TEZ in front of 150 grains of powder and the bullet performance at 142 yards was picturesque. To be fair I have tended to shoot their 295 grain bullet, but that sabot is not rated to 200 grains of powder.

Never heard of anybody shooting 200 grains of powder, Wow! I have a hard time imagining there isn't a lot of unburnt powder left over. But there is a lot of stuff Ive never heard of and it may a perfect combo.

[hollymaster]

I thought the whole point of traditional hunting methods was to get close. 

[HntnFsh]

Now that I think of it, I wonder how many muzzleloader barrels are even rated for 200 grains of powder.