sighting in muzzeloader

[danderson]

Went out to sight in everything that I have last week, took one shot with the muzzeloader at 80 yards, (wanted to unload)  the shot was at least 18 inches high, going back up today to see whats up, question is were should I be hitting paper at 100 yards, I drew the late buck tag for the alta unit, and not sure were I should be zeroed in at, im shooting a 54 cal. TC maxi ball, 90 grains of powder, or should I invest in one of the fancy sabots for this hunt. 

[spikehunter]

I would hit bullseye @ 100 

[stumprat]

Everyone is different.
I zero @ 100

[ghosthunter]

That is a awsome tag. I have 8 points towards Gardner across the river and still have not drawn it.  Sorry sorry Off topic. You should be hitting where you are aiming.

[wapiti hunter2]

 

[Kowsrule30]

I'm about an 1.5"-1" high at 100 yards.... 

[50CalJim]

I think the 1st thing you need to know is whats your comfort range. If its 100 yds by all means zero in at that range. But if its 200 yds I'm thinking that you'll want to sight it in about 3-4" high at 100 yds because at 200 yds your going to have approximately 10-14" drop or so. For example I'm shooting a 50 Cal w/250 gr Barnes w/100gr Triple 7 & I'm 3" high @ 50 yds, 4" high @ 100 yds & about 8" low @ 200yds.  Anyway hopefully that gives you a rough idea. I also have the same tag as you do so good luck.

[scudmaster]

90 grains is a light load for a .54 especially with a big maxi ball.  You ballistics are going to require a quite a few more inches of adjustment than usual. 

According to the books a .54 at 90 gr powder and a 430 gr maxiball, would be about 1250 fps. This would require you to be 6-8 high inches high at 100 and you would be 18 inches low at 200. Accoring to Pejsa Ballistics anyway.

Try and bump up your powder charge at 120 gr the book says 1500 fps for a 430 gr bullet (assuming a BC of .250) and it will flatten your trajectory quite a bit.  Then you would be about 5-6" high and 100 and 12" low at 200. 

This is according to the books, so your rifle will vary.  But it should give you an idea of how much variation there is.  You will of course need to verify this at the range.

I put a scope on my ML for the purpose of working up a load just to take the sight picture error out of the equation.  Once I have a load that groups well, I take off the scope and adjust my irons to where I want it. 

Hope this helps.  Gook luck.

[danderson]

Thanks for the input, I will try bumping up the powder to 120 grains and see were that puts me, I dont think I will be taking any shots over 100 yards.

[Rainier10]

I zero at 100 also.  I shoot 120 grains and used to shoot the TC maxiballs in 54 caliber.  They quit making them so you may want to get a new bullet and sight in with that unless you have a ton of the old TC's.  They still make the 50 caliber maxiballs just not the 54's.

[danderson]

I stocked up on 54 cal. maxiballs a few years ago but would like to try a new bullet, I have been an avid archer for the last 15 years and decided to cash in my points on the muzzeloader quality buck tag, so its been a few years since I muzzeloaded, I have heard conflicting reports on the copper jacketed sabots, is there  much of an advantage when shooting one of the premium bullets.

[nontypical176]

100 yards bulls eye.  I learned the hard way that my muzzleloader capabilities are limited, them dang open sites, I've tried a peep and fiber and I just would feel lots better with crosshairs, but there are rules....I don't shoot past 100 at critters with my muzzleloader, judging distance, trusting your powder/bullets/cap, eyes ain't the greatest, knowing you only get one shot (no quick reload), have a bad day at the range one day, only time you've lost an animal was with a muzzloader, the last 2 elk you tagged didn't even look hit (until they just fell over), mite hit a shoulder, buck fever, gun capped, both safeties off, weather....those are some of the things I think about when hunting with muzzies, but its all good out to 100 for me.  I know some guys are shooting farther but thats where I draw the line now, lost a raghorn a few years back, about 140 yards, followed him for 3 days, sucks trust me.  Its easy to get overconfident at the range with a muzzleloader....and I've seen more guys screw up a shot with them fricken things, safety on, gun not capped, powder not fire, shoot right over them...and more.

Just some of my 8 years of muzzleloading experiences.  I've shot plenty of critters with my muzzies, and I'm only confident out to 100 when pointing at a critter.  I only hunt with them because of the late season here at home, almost always layed off then.

Good luck with the tag.

[Roundhead]

I zero at 25yds 2" high and it's dead on at 100 shooting only Powerbelt hollow point lead.

[BoomWhop]

I have the late ALTA Muzzy tag as well, I zero in at 100 as well  I am about 4-6 inches low at 150, which is a long ways in hunting conditions.  Alta is pretty thick in a lot of areas, I think you would be good with a zero anywhere from 50-100 yards. 

[Selkirk]

90 gr (FF) is plenty with the maxi-ball as a deer load.  Go with a load that groups well and then shoot straight when it counts.  I've taken two mule deer using 85 gr FF with the 54 cal maxi-hunter.