The 25-Yard Zero?

[Adam Helmer]

Ok, you have a new (mayhaps to you) muzzleloader. Where do you set your initial (First bulseye target?) I have read that a 12.5 yard target is fine for any muzzleloader. Whatever?

I have long ago set my initial targets at 25 yards (from my bench) for smokeless and BP arms and have not seen any need to alter my initial yardage. Today, I shot and recorded the results for ball and maxis for my newly acquired .50 T/C Hawken flinter. At 75 yards the POI/POA were the same as I found at 25 yards.

I have found that a 25-yard POA/POI (Point of aim/Point of impact) will keep you "on the paper" at 100 yards with both smokeless and BP arms. Yes, sometimes a bit of minor tweeeking is needed, but it is not all that much.

Find your Zero and write it down for all your arms, both smokeless and Black Powder.

Adam