Comfortable effective range

[gd357]

Since muzzleloader season is upon us here in Ohio, I was wondering, how far do you feel comfortable shooting your muzzleloaders? And how far do you expect to have to shoot?

gd

[indyhntr]

I've killed several deer out to about 125-130 yds. Thats typically about as far as I can get a good unobstructed shot. I don't shoot a very hot load, 85gr 777 & 260gr Nosler Partition, so I wouldn't shoot past 150 and only that far if I had a good rest and a clear shot at a standing target.

[rattus58]

Effective range has more to do with the shooter than it does with the gun. With lighter bullets and light loads, anything beyond maybe 100 yards might be looked upon as irresponsible by some and comes down still to shot placement.

Being able to place your shot accurately is the key to effective range. If you can reliably put your bullet into a 6" pie plate while in your hunting get up determines your effective range. If you can chug up to the line and offhand put your bullet say 6 out of 6 into a 6" pie plate at 60 yards, and 4 out of 6 at 75, your effective range is 60 yards. If off a rest that improved to 115 yards while your breathing hard, that is your effective range.

Knowing your gun and your bullets trajectory is the mission. Accomplish that, and you'll be confident in your shots.

Practice practice practice. Shot placement, shot placement shot placement... that is what it is all about.

Aloha....

[kt]

i do believe muzzleloaders can be 250yd guns. t/c and nikon must agree they made a scope for just that issue. and knight devoted a gun to 200 + shots. power belt co. mentions a light 223 gr bullet for long range.
i find different issues, i think with these things and low velocity maybe a heavier bullet is a bettter choice for long range. although a rangefinder would be damn near essential, i smashed a doe a few years back, i am zero'd at 100yds and held over her back to hit the bullseye, makes me really wonder how far that one was. regardless of bullet expansion, a accurate 50 cal hole is life changing for a deer no matter the distance
kt

[Ridge Runner]

I took a buck last year at a lazered 208 yds. I'm quite confidant to 250 with mine.
RR

[HPBTMTCH]

though I have killed several deer at 400 yards, i will admit i`m not comfortable unless the range is 300 yards or less. I have a savage ML2 that i put in a 10 bvss stock, with a 4-14x56 springfield scope. It will shoot 5 inch groups at 300 yards, with 300 gr. hornady SST`s, as long as it`s not windy.