What is the maximum range you'll shoot with your muzzle?

[longstevo]

Hey guys,

I'm reading hunting stories on the board of guys taking very long shots with the blackpowder this year.  One story even said something about 180 yards. 
 

Maybe I'm missing something here.  I've hunting with a smokepole since I started hunting and I wouldn't even attempt a shot over 100 yards.  Now, I'm not trying to start a fight here, but what is the real maximun stretch of a good muzzleloader? 

note: I hunting with a Thompson Centerfire Thunderhawk and Knight Wolverine (.50 cal, 100 grains of 777, .298 grain powerbelt bullets).

[rasbo]

50 yrds for me...If I cant get any closer Ill go to rifles for deer..

[carpsniperg2]

with optics like jim shocky 200+ yards is fine with todays bullets and 150g of powder for me 125 yards on a deer and if i muzzleloaded for elk 150 yards i shoot a blackdiamond xr the extended range modle and a cva elkhorn 209 with the musket cap conversion i shoot them well i shot my deer last year at the farthest i have ever shot one 118yards i also shoot peep sights that helps

[Forrestrover]

About 75 yards for me.

[ribka]

I practice out to 200 yds. I practice a lot standing and sitting when I shoot. I rarely shoot from a bench. I tend to shoot heavier wt bullets though

My personal limit is 100 yds for deer.

70 yds for elk

A peep site does help out

[BoomWhop]

Before this year with the old bullets 100-115 yards.  I changed to william peep sights and 250 grain shock waves, 115 grains of 777.  I took my elk at 150, laying down with a bi-pod.  I was hitting a 16 inch pizza box at 200 yards.  I hit it 11 out of 12 times with some less than 3 inches from dead center.  The one that missed was 3 feet low, not sure what was up with that one. I am shooting a Black Diamond XR.  I shot alot this year before the season and feel confident at 150 with a perfect rest.  Without a good rest I am sure free hand would be a crap shoot at more than 50.  My buddy used my blackdiamond and took his 3 point at 135 yards.  His 3rd time ever shooting that gun and his 1st buck ever.  His buck was also laying down.  I think a good rest is key.

[Tman]

Black Diamond XR. About 100 yards, but it all depends on the shot and animal.  It seems once the game is further than 100 yds, it is not much of a target behind open sights.  Maybe its just my eyes, but thats my comfort zone.

[Craig]

100-125 yards is max for me.

[kramman]

at the range i feel copmfortable to 100yds. but this year i missed a big 4pt. at 93 yds from a kneeling position so what the hell do i know

[WonkyWapiti]

That was me with the 183 yard shot.    I shouldn't have taken it but during a lapse of better judgement after crawling on my belly for an hour and a half and not being to get any closer, the size of the muley rack did an override on my brain housing group.  This was my first year muzzleloading and I am totally confident at 100 yards hitting the bullseye.

I'll be sticking to archery for elk but I'll be keeping the .270 in storage from now on during deer season.  I love muzzleloading.  I'm planning on spending alot of time at the range in the off season.  I won't take another long shot at an animal that I do not know I have the skill for.

[callonetta]

100 yards for me, I passed on two three point mulies b/c they were 150 and 175 and I just flat out run out of cover, there is always late season blacktails.

[nailbender]

I shot my bull this year at 164yrds. Droped it where it stood. 348 grain powerbelt with 110 ff powder. Impressed me. I sighted it in at 4-6" high at 100yrds and 6-8" at 200.

[Gobble]

About 150 yrds. Killed my last muzzy elk at 150 with one shot, dropped her in her tracks

[dawhunt]

100 yds for me with iron sights i tend to lose the deer behind the front site further out.I'm really happy with my group at 100 yds .

bob

[Gobble]

375 yards if there is no wind and a good rest,  with a moderate wind I back down to around 200.

Miles you do know were talking about a Muzzle loader with open sights, right?

[Whitelightning]

Two hundred with my .451 and .504 Whites and open sites, would go out to 250 with peeps.

[BLUEBULLS]

375 yards if there is no wind and a good rest,  with a moderate wind I back down to around 200.

 :dunno:serious?

[Dekker]

100 yards is max for me.

[Curly]

120 yards .........mabye a bit farther for a broadside elk shot.

I passed up a head shot at about 100 yards on a cow elk last week.  It was in dark timber and I could only see her head.  It was just too risky of a shot; I was 70% sure I could have placed the bullet into her head.....but that doubt made me pass on it hoping to get a better shot.

[MagKarl]

100 yards in a perfect situation.  Much less than that in most real life hunting situations.

[kramman]

Hey WonkyWApiti im with you i absolutely love muzzle for deer ive done it 3 out of the last 4 years and i now realize ive got to spend alot more time at the range.Even then i think 100 yds will be my max.I also will be leaving my270 in the safe during deer season.

[WSU]

I've shot enough to know that 100 isn't terribly far for a muzzleloader if you have the right conditions (rest, broadside animal, still, wind, etc.).  I'm curious why so many feel that 70 or 100 is the max?  Is it velocity or energy?  Ability to shoot open sites?  Just curious.  I do think it is awesome that so many people keep their ranges to what is acceptable to them personally, not the theoretical max range of the gun.  Actually, I'm more comfortable shooting my old hawken at 100 then I am my inline because I can't shoot the 3 dot sites near as well.

[Broken Arrow]

last year i dialed in at 100 yards. last 2 years misse 2 bucks under 20 yards....still dont know hat happened....i put a 2 hour sneak on a bedded whitetail......wiated for 50 minutes.....deer finally got up facing towards me...i aked my buddy, whould you take this shot? right when he said no i squeezed the trigger....buckk went back 7 yards and never got up......50 cal is amazing especially when your an archey hunter...if you can hit at 100 and your dead on...let her fly

[kramman]

Wsu for me personally 100 open sites is far enough.Unfortunately ive had the sh%&@y experience of having to leave a wounded animal over night in the woods.One of the worst nights of my life,just do not want to go through that again its not worth it.Kram

[longstevo]

That was me with the 183 yard shot.    I shouldn't have taken it but during a lapse of better judgement after crawling on my belly for an hour and a half and not being to get any closer, the size of the muley rack did an override on my brain housing group.  This was my first year muzzleloading and I am totally confident at 100 yards hitting the bullseye.

I'll be sticking to archery for elk but I'll be keeping the .270 in storage from now on during deer season.  I love muzzleloading.  I'm planning on spending alot of time at the range in the off season.  I won't take another long shot at an animal that I do not know I have the skill for.

Haha.  I hope you don't take my post as an accusing post or critical.  What I was thinking was, 'Wow, this guy is a much better shot than me!' 

I see most of the answers seem to be 100 to 150 yards.  I suppose thats a pretty good range with the muzzle.  I was just curious if I was missing some big secret of the trade that was hampering my shooting.   

[WonkyWapiti]

Naw I didn't take it that way, but just was fessing up to shooting beyond my abilities which is really not my style.  I am a zealot about this during archery season and have passed on a ton of shots for fear of just wounding the animal.  I hope to fast forward to next muzzy season and having another chance on that monster! 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

For me if the animal is over 150 i will not take the shot, not that i don't think i could make that shot but i started muzzle loading for the expierence. If i wanted to shoot distance i would go back to my rifle. I shot my bull at 25 feet this year.

[duramax]

I shot my cow this year at 120 yards, and would feel comfortable with that range again but probably not too much farther.

[fishcrazy]

I havn't personally stretched the legs on my smoke pole. 100 yars and I don't think twice. I killed my bull at about that this year.

My brother and I were messing around one day out in the woods. I had my 45-70 Marlin Cowboy. He had his BlackDiamond Long Range ML. We were both busting milk jugs at 200 yrds with every shot. I wouldn't have a problem with him shooting at an elk or deer at that range.

This is how I find my comfort level for hunting. How ever far I can consistantly bust a jug is how far I will hunt.


Kris

[BoomWhop]

I agree with the milk jug test.   

[Chesapeake]

50 cal Wolverine. I can keep them in the bottom of a coke can at 100 yards off a rest. Few weeks ago I was called on it by a guy that dont know me well while watching some friends shoot. I didnt have my rifle so I borrowed a friends Black Diamond. 3 shots later I handed him a target with 3 holes, all touching. I'll admit that it was a bit lucky that I did that good. Usualy they wouldnt all be touching. These muzzleloaders are capable of that kind of accuracy. They were 100 years ago, and 200 years ago. Its just about how good you are with open sights and shooting form.

With my rifle, 360 grain bullet, 110 grain 777 I'm a few high at 100 and 12" low at 200.

I've never shot at an elk over 150, and killed most of my elk inside 50 yards, and several inside 20 yards. I've seen the terminal performance of my load on several elk in the 140 to 150 range. I dont shoot elk any farther than 150 because I'm not confident in the terminal performance. I could hit them fine out to 200, I'm just not sure the bullet would have enough left in it to get the job done.

If I was still shooting round balls I would not shoot over 100, and try real hard to be less than 80 on elk. Round balls dont carry much down range in terms of terminal performance. They are plenty accurate, just poor terminal performance.

I dont muzzle stuff just to get close. I like getting close, but there are lots of other reasons why I muzzle stuff.

[boneaddict]

100 yard max for me. 

[SHANE(WA)]

100-120

[colockumelk]

Last year my max range was 200yds because I shot alot more and that's how far out I practised.  

This year my max range is 150yds because I havn't practised as much.  So for me it depends on how much I practise and also what the weather conditions are.  Last year I smoked my doe at 165yds from the prone position.  She went 15yds and piled up.  

So I would say shoot as far as your abilities will allow. 

[t6]

.50 Knight

200 yds for elk, 150 for deer.  I've killed a few elk over 200 yards but most have been within 50 yards.  One deer at 175 but most under 50 yards.  Practice, practice, practice. 

I dont just go out and practice from the lead sled.  Set up targets uphill, downhill, and have friends set up targets at unknown ranges.  Get good at judging distance in different terrain and then take the practice shot.  I shoot about 50 practice shots a year.   

[skynimrod]

I agree with the milk jug test.   

Me too
I'm out to 240 yds now (bottom of scope post)
I shoot a 50 cal CVA Optima, 3x9 Nikon Pro Staff with Billistic Plex, 290 gr Barnes T-MZ
in front of 90 gr loose Piro.
200 yds is very comfortable for me with the Nikon & range time at the different drop points.

[longstevo]

I agree with the milk jug test.   

Me too
I'm out to 240 yds now (bottom of scope post)
I shoot a 50 cal CVA Optima, 3x9 Nikon Pro Staff with Billistic Plex, 290 gr Barnes T-MZ
in front of 90 gr loose Piro.
200 yds is very comfortable for me with the Nikon & range time at the different drop points.

You guys are allowed to put optics on your blackpowder rifles down there in Tennessee?

[skynimrod]

Yes
+ we can hunt with cross bows
+ we can hunt all weapons

[markts]

100yds for me, as some have said if I wanted to shoot across cayons I would stick with modern. :twocents:Mark

[piled-up]

Yeah, I got the extended range one.  (the black diamond)

Miles do you have the extended range eyes ? At 375 a deer looks like a speck of sand!

[fishcrazy]

To the guy who can shoot across a canyon with open sights much less a ML. More power to you. I'm jealous!!! Shooting long range with these guns is nothing like shooting a regular center fire regaurdless of what people think. I would raher shoot 300 yards with my ML than 500 with a center fire. Think about the skill it would take. LOL Just look at the drop in one of our bullets compared to a simple .308 or .243.


Kris

[jdb]

depends on the conditions but 100 yards i would say as a genral rule is my max, I might stretch that 25 yards or so if it was an undisturbed animal and I had a perfect angle.

[WARHORSE]

watched a guy last year shoot a deer at 230  this year at 260 blackdimond xr! too far for me but he shoot a ton and knows his gun!!