Shot Distance

[emac]

So this is going to be my first year muzzy hunting.  So I was just wondering what yardage you guys felt comfortable shooting a deer at and what are some of your longest kills.  I have been practicing quite a bit at 100 yards a fell really comfortable at that yardage.  Would like to go somewhere and shoot at 200 yards before the season.

[fishunt247]

A lot of guys will boast that they will shoot at a deer at 200 yards. I know I have 7 inches of drop at 160 yards (just where I happened to set the target and could see it), and have shot out to that distance quite a bit. But with open sights, it's pretty tough, and deer/the hunting situation is a lot different than paper. At 175 yards, my front sight covers half of an average size deer, which isn't precise enough for me to take that shot. I'll shoot a deer out to 150 only if the situation is absolutely perfect.

[bobcat]

For me 100 yards is the absolute maximum limit for deer. Maybe 120 for elk because it's a bigger target. I'm much more comfortable with 75 yards or less. But I always hear about people shooting to 150 yards or even 200. I'm just not that good of a shot with open sights I guess. If you're a good shot I can see 150 yards being do-able, but beyond that is irresonsible in my opinion, just because with a muzzleloader that bullet has really slowed down by the time you get out beyond 150 yards, and it will be dropping like a rock.

[JColony]

100 is my max.  I know I can hit out to 150 consistently, but like Bobcat said, just to much loss of velocity out that far.  I know I would hit my target as thats the distance I practice out to.  But not confident in the killing capabilities out that far.  Just not worth the risk.

[dawhunt]

100 yds max !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob

[boneaddict]

I might push 150 if the conditions were right, but generally like most, 100 is my max goal.  Thats a long ways out there with ole' iron sites. 

[Gutpile]

For me 100 yards is the absolute maximum limit for deer. Maybe 120 for elk because it's a bigger target. I'm much more comfortable with 75 yards or less. But I always hear about people shooting to 150 yards or even 200. I'm just not that good of a shot with open sights I guess. If you're a good shot I can see 150 yards being do-able, but beyond that is irresonsible in my opinion, just because with a muzzleloader that bullet has really slowed down by the time you get out beyond 150 yards, and it will be dropping like a rock.

 

[turkey slayer]

200 yards for me but I also pratice every weekend. My gun is sighted in at 50 yards 4 inches high  100 yards I am 1 1/2 to 2 high 150 2 inches low 175 3 1/2 low and 200 5 inches low. I am shooting 250 with 125 GR of powder.  My longest shot was last year on my mule deer at 173 yards. I held 2 to 3 inches over his back and snaped his back and fell in his tracks. The only reason why I am sighted in like this is becouse of were I hunt, most of the time I can stalk with in 100 yards.

[ribka]

100-125 yds if conditions are good and have a rest. I shoot out to 200 yds but feel that my rifle limited to 100-125 yds for an accurate shot.

[Whitelightning]

I Will not hesitate at 100 yards. I have taken a Whitetail at 200 and as long as everything was the same i would do it again. As said practice with the M/L and know what it and you can do.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Now you can shoot a jacketed sabot you should beable to reach out just a little further now and seriously drop some sheet 

[Nilehunter]

For me 100 yards is the absolute maximum limit for deer. Maybe 120 for elk because it's a bigger target. I'm much more comfortable with 75 yards or less. But I always hear about people shooting to 150 yards or even 200. I'm just not that good of a shot with open sights I guess. If you're a good shot I can see 150 yards being do-able, but beyond that is irresonsible in my opinion, just because with a muzzleloader that bullet has really slowed down by the time you get out beyond 150 yards, and it will be dropping like a rock.

[emac]

I was thinking my max distance would be at 100 to 150 yards. Right now I am sighted in a 2in high at 100 yards.  I am shooting 300grain with 100 grains of pellets. I don't wanna push it when shooting at a deer.  I got drawn for a second deer tag so my plan is to test it out on a fat muley doe first which should be no more than a 75 yard shot. I think that will help when it comes time to shot the buck

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

With my old x-150 and the whambedyne fancy bullets I shoot- I'm dead on at 200 yards and won't hesitate to shoot out to 300 yards given a perfect broadside non-moving shot- on Mule deer only. Still have just barely over 1,000 ft. lbs. energy at 300. I won't take anything other than broadside past 150 yards. The gun shoots 1.25" group at 100yds(with field style rest, better from bench). I'm confident in my shooting but I'm also human and subject to buck fever and just flat screwing up. Zeroed at 200 I have 13 inches drop at 300yds. Anything from 50 yards to 200 is within 5 inches. I practice at distance and have been successful in the field. Preferably, I will get much closer as any good hunter would. Last mule deer was at 160.

Just got a new(old) Thompson Center White Mountain Carbine. Beautiful gun- 1 in 20" twist! I shot it with 395 grain buffalo bullets. Extremely accurate. I couldn't be happier! Consistantly dead on at 100 yds and 6" right at 200 yds with 27" drop at 200. Will keep game shots at under 150 with this one. This might be next years gun.

[Curly]

Wow, 300 yards?  You must have really good eyesight.  That is a looonnggggggg shot with open sights........

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Wow, 300 yards?  You must have really good eyesight.  That is a looonnggggggg shot with open sights........

Clearly Lasic lazered me for better than 20/20 vision a couple years ago.  Rear peep, front globe with steel duplex crosshairs. And lots of practice. Now spent over $200 on just the fancy new bullets this year. Also- I'm not someone who takes the first long shot I see. Will always attempt to get closer first. Have passed up plenty of 150 to 200 yard deer that didn't present perfect shots. I'm just comfortable out to 300 because I know my ballistics, energy, drift, and when not to shoot.

[Dan-o]

100 yard max......   much prefer 75 or less.

I have taken 1 shot at game that was about 125, and that turned out well, but.....

[Armadillo]

try to aim as close as i can! less than 75... Plus during the westside late season I dont really shoot beyond 50 yards because of the brush

[huntinguy]

I tried a 450 yard shot on an elk one time... put the point of aim on the top of the antler and hit about a foot below his front foot. 

100 yards is in my realm of sanity.

[DOUBLELUNG]

A great rule of thumb hunting is to restrict shots to 2/3 of your maximum consistent kill zone range.  Regardless of weapon.  Every kill shot should be a chip shot, not a prayer for luck.    , based on finishing off over 100 hunter-wounded big game animals.

[fishunt247]

Top, I'm wondering how much of your front site covers a deer at 300. Like I said earlier, my front bead covers an entire half of a deer at 175. It also shoot a Truglo Tridium sight, which is a bigger diameter than some. I'm just wondering how damn small your front bead has to be for a shot at that distance to be anything more than a guess.

[Tman]

100 yards max on most for me.  with iron sights past that, I think your hoping to get lucky more than your hoping to make a good clean kill.

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Top, I'm wondering how much of your front site covers a deer at 300. Like I said earlier, my front bead covers an entire half of a deer at 175. It also shoot a Truglo Tridium sight, which is a bigger diameter than some. I'm just wondering how damn small your front bead has to be for a shot at that distance to be anything more than a guess.

My front sight is not a bead at all. PM sent.

[bobcat]

My front sight is not a bead at all. PM sent.

Would you mind letting us all in on the secret? If not, how about a PM to me as well. 

[JColony]

My front sight is not a bead at all

Hey Top, you definately perked my curiosity.  Any chance you'd PM me your little secret???

[Curly]

Bobcat and JColony,

Top said he uses a "Rear peep, front globe with steel duplex crosshairs."

[JColony]

Thanks Curl!  Apparently it helps if you read back through the thread before asking questions.

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Lots of curious commenters-

Check out Lee Shaver(or Lyman or others) globe style front sights with interchangeable inserts. Most of the globes I have found are 3/8" dovetail so it takes a shorty 1/8"(Williams) front ramp to use it on in-line muzzys. I use two inserts stacked together to produce a "duplex" crosshair. A Williams peep mounted way back on the scope mount holes lines things up nicely. It's nice to carry a few different apeture's- one that is pretty big for low light use, one that is tiny mostly for the range, the one in the middle is what I have used on every hunting shot so far.

Practice, practice, practice, practice..... did I mention practice?!? Don't even want to think how much $$$ I spent on bullets/powder/caps.

I hunt muzzy because I enjoy shooting muzzleloaders. I hope nobody takes my comments to mean it's easy to hunt between 200 and 300 yards. It's not. I rarely take shots like that. It has to be perfect broadside shot, no wind, no other close deer. I have killed deer in the 180 to 225 range but I have also passed on WAY more shots that were not good shots. It is a wasted shot if it's not a clean clear kill shot. Sloppy shots wound animals and give all hunters a bad name.

I almost regret making any comments about distance. I hope nobody takes careless shots without first really practicing at distance and getting to know your gun/load.

Again- for the record- I have passed on way more shots than I have taken beyond 150 yards.

[shorthair-on-point]

Thanks for sharing Top, that is a great setup.

[dupedc]

Good stuff Top!

[kramman]

personally 125 if everything is perfect. ive passed on many that just didn't feel right. i'm dead on at 100 so thats where i'm comfortable at.Had a bad experience with a wounded animal and I would rather eat tag soup then go through that again.

[hunterrcc]

It totally depends on the person shooting it the load and gun?  I am using a thompson center fire Black dimond with Powerbelt 295 or 348 grain with 100 grains of powder.  I can hit the 200 yard target everytime and usally hold a 4 inch or smaller pattern.  But that is with alot of practice and young good eyes and good feel of the gun.  the first two years of hunting with the gun I would not shoot over 130yards but would try to stay under 100yards.  This is all with a perfect dead rest on bipods or tripod only.  If it is over 75 yards I would recomend using a super good rest because hitting a deer or elk is different then a target for sure. 

I have killed a bull that I first hit at 80 yards and then followed up the shot with a 230yard shot and then another 255 yard shot.  All with good rest and only because i knew it was hit but didn't want it to run off.  Both hits were good the last one was low just above the knee but the 230 yard shot was right through the shoulder. and I had no problem seeing my target but I learned that if you move your gun so that the front sign is above the v from the back sight you can see alot better for the long range shots, fyi. But I also know my guns drop and where to aim. 

Also a deer at 208yards. 

So I would say when your good with your gun you can easily hit at 200yards but if new dont go over 100yard.

thats my two cents 

[Killercolin]

yeah, 100 yrds is the farthest I would take. You start lobbing lead out there and youll just have a wounded animal.

[NWHydroprint]

Here is a Elk that my wife shot a 200 yards it was broadside in a open field. She used a fence post as a rest one shot the elk took one step and down. The bullet hit the shoulder cliped top of the lung and deflected went down the back bone towards the butt.

[septemberfan]

Top,
After spending a few days hunting with you and watching you bust water filled milk jugs at 300s yard I am a believer. Four for four on bucks makes for a great week of hunting, can't wait till next year!