How far can you expect to shoot with a MUZZY???????

[Alaskan]

Hey guys,
One more question. Realistically, how far should I expect my muzzleloader to shoot (TC PRO HUNTER). I want to hit the range and get my scope zero'd in. Not sure if I should get zero'd in at 75, 100, or  :bash:150.........

[Special T]

Well if you have a scope on it you must be hunting a different state, because you cannot hunt with one here... I know guys that shoot out to 250+ yards with one of those Nikon BDC for smokepoles.   

[bobcat]

Maximum for me is about 120 yards, but I really prefer 75 yards or less.

[Bigtine96]

I killed my bull last year at 175 yards, which in my opinion is to far but it was the only shot I had so I took it because I had practiced for a long shot. 150 grains of powder and a copper jacketed sabot round is what I was shooting

[washelkhunter]

Ill shoot out to 120 with 100 grs powder and 320gr lead conical 45/50 sabot.

[funkster]

Maximum for me is about 120 yards, but I really prefer 75 yards or less.

Same here,I really feel comfortable at 75 but coming from archery, the closer the better.

[Sabotloader]

Hey guys,
One more question. Realistically, how far should I expect my muzzleloader to shoot (TC PRO HUNTER). I want to hit the range and get my scope zero'd in. Not sure if I should get zero'd in at 75, 100, or  :bash:150.........

I am glad you through the word 'realistically' in there because - backi in the midwest there are guys using tactical scopes and shooting and harvesting deer at 400 yards with just regular inline muzzleloaders.

My self imposed range is 200 yards + depending on the external circumstances - the external circumstance have a larger effect than you might think.  Another main concern for is the amount of energy left in the bullet @ long ranges.  They can loose velocity and energy rapidly out at those ranges.

So an explanation... I said 200 + is my self imposed range and that is with a scoped ML, a heavy load like what I might use for elk, 120 grain T7 and a 300 grain bullet.  The RIFLE is perfectly capable of doing this and the load will provide the energy.  The next all or most of the other external conditions must meet my thoughts.

With open sights (a Williams FP Peep sight) and using the same load - 150 yards is the limit but I could stretch that to 175 if everything were right.

Sighting in... because I know I could and would take a shot to 200+ yards - I sight the rifle in using a method called PBR (Point Blank Range).  I set my sight in to a 6" PBR. So from 0 yards to about 175 yards I am never lower than 3" and never higher than 3".  What it normally works out is that at a 100 yards I am normally 2 3/4" to 3" high.  I know this and take that all in account when shooting.

Here is a ballistic table that shows my elk load...

From this you can see that I can hold directly on from 0 to 190 yards and be within my PBR.   At 160 yards I should be dead on... but in truth at a 160 yards with the external forces across the bullet path I good with 1 1/2" of POI.

[adamR]

I did alot of practicing out to 200 yards last year and my only shot opportunity for my bull was 150 yards, Because of the practice I felt comfortable and took this shot.  Dropped my bull at 150 yards.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE

[Alaskan]

Thanks guys! Most ranges allow you to shoot out to 200yds, so i will focus on that range being my max. Im hunting New Mexico this year, that's why I am using a scope.

[bobcat]

With the right muzzleloader, and the right load, AND a scope, I do think 200 yards is do-able.

[Pathfinder101]

Thanks for the data tables Sabotloader.  I sight in all my rifles for MPBR, so I was planning on doing 3" high at 100 yds anyway, but it's nice to know that is the "right" answer. 
PathfinderJR and I made it out to shoot last weekend.  I bought him a used Winchester X 150 .50 cal, but it had the wrong nipple (just replaced that today), so we could only shoot my TC.  He was dead-nuts-on with my gun at 100, so that is encouraging.   I loaded him up with 100 gr of Pyrodex and a 300 gr Powerbelt and it didn't kick the crap out of him.  He was kind of nervous for the first shot, but after a couple of rounds he said "Hey dad, this is actually pretty fun."
Just found out yesterday that we both drew muzzy cow tags, so it'll be time to get back to the range as soon as we get a nice day.

[ellensburgpo]

With the restrictions in this state and my current set up I have imposed a 100 yard limit on myself.

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Target shooting I go to 300 yds. Hunting I try to keep it around 200.

[HoofsandWings]

I plan to get out the chronograph and put the muzzle velocity into the Barnes program to see where the bullet will be at 100, 150.
I should be at about 2500 feet and the temp will probably be in the 20's come December.

[HoofsandWings]

Thanks for the data tables Sabotloader.  I sight in all my rifles for MPBR, so I was planning on doing 3" high at 100 yds anyway, but it's nice to know that is the "right" answer. 
PathfinderJR and I made it out to shoot last weekend.  I bought him a used Winchester X 150 .50 cal, but it had the wrong nipple (just replaced that today), so we could only shoot my TC.  He was dead-nuts-on with my gun at 100, so that is encouraging.   I loaded him up with 100 gr of Pyrodex and a 300 gr Powerbelt and it didn't kick the crap out of him.  He was kind of nervous for the first shot, but after a couple of rounds he said "Hey dad, this is actually pretty fun."
Just found out yesterday that we both drew muzzy cow tags, so it'll be time to get back to the range as soon as we get a nice day.

So you are using powerbelts too. I am looking at 275 grains. Those platinums look promising.