Load Development - What Range?

[Urban Coyote]

At what distance do you shoot when developing accuracy loads for your muzzleloader?

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

At what distance do you shoot when developing accuracy loads for your muzzleloader?

I like 50 yards to start and then go from there.
Larry

 

[ltdann]

I do 50 yards and use BIG splatter targets https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SCFAELK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[deermanok]

I like to start off close, 25 yards just to see how my groups are. Usually just a few shots, 3-6, then I move out to 50.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

25 yards for me as well. If it won't group there it won't get any better further out. Saves a lot of walking too.

 

[deermanok]

25 yards for me as well. If it won't group there it won't get any better further out. Saves a lot of walking too.

Lol, got that right.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I use 25 yards for initial load development and 50 yards for the final groupings. A lot depends on how well I can see the target on a given trip to the range. If I am developing a load for chunk gun matches, then the range is 60 yards.

 

[jdw276]

25 yds, get it on paper. 32 cal, stay there, most others go to 50 and final couple 75 or 100 to see real difference if I can hold well enough.

 

[sheriff john]

Same here. If it won't group at 25, moving further out won't help. However, once it's "on", I gotta move out further to see if that load's gonna drop a whole bunch. If it does, I add more powder and repeat the steps. Takes a while, but it's fun.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I start at 35 yard, just because that is the distance from my deck to the woodshed that I use for a back stop ,since they have built houses around me and I like a safe backstop. I figure I can still hit the broad side of the woodshed, and twelve feet of fire wood makes a safe back stop for anything that misses the target back stop.

 

[SDSmlf]

At what distance do you shoot when developing accuracy loads for your muzzleloader?

Once most of my muzzleloaders are at least on paper, load development begins and it takes place at 100 yards or possibly further. Exceptions for example, would in include 32 and 36 cal, where I may use 25 to 50 yards. Hard to tell much at 25 yards, other than most any load will group fairly well. As the distance increases so does the variation of where shots are hitting. For most roundball guns find 100 yards to be good benchmark, as I rarely shoot much further with them. Paperpatched bullets, I want to see what happens at 300 yards. Have had a few very good 100 yard groups where I usually start, that lost their way by 300, though not often. Also, I do all load development from a solid bench rest. Once load development is complete, final sight adjustment is made and practice from field shooting positions begins. Standing, kneeling, sitting, supported against a tree, off of sticks, etc. Nothing like trigger time to gain confidence in what you can and cannot do.

 

[Brokennock]

I'm shooting smoothbores, so won't be doing much real world shooting past 50 yards.
I start at 25 yards, benched, as someone else said, "if it won't group there it won't group further."
If I'm getting excellent groups at 25 yards I'll try that load at 50 yards, benched, then tweak it some more as needed. Once I have what I want off the bench at 50 yards, I'll shoot some benched shots at 25 yards again just to compare p.o.a./p.o.i at those distances. After that, no more bench.
For a rifle I still start at 25 yards to develop a good grouping load, then 50, then 100. Once I get the groups I want at 50 then 100 I will then adjust sights for p.o.i. with that load, usually back at 50 yards. Then shoot 25 and 100 to compare p.o.i. again.

Also, if the gun is completely new to me I place my target on a very large piece of brown packaging paper that completely covers the target backer, overhangs the top and bottom and extends several inches to the right and left. This way if shots are way off target I don't have to guess where the misses went.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Once on paper I move to 100 yards. Even a smooth bore will group at 25 but I want to know what is accurate. When consist groups are adjusted to point of aim a hit at any reasonable distance can be made.

 

[dave951]

50yds if on paper. 25yd to get on paper. Work from there.

 

[Bushfire]

I like 50, at 25 nearly everything groups well.

Exception is if it's a gun I've never fired before and zero is getting set from scratch

 

[ernbar]

What typical .36 (51 Navy) and .44 (Dragoon, 58 and 60 Army) loads are you guys finding to be more accurate at 50-100 yards?

 

[rp77469]

50y. I like the black stick on bullseyes that turn yellow when hit. Even my 70+ eyes can see them. I also have a fairly cheap spotting scope that performs quite well for the price. Saves a lot of walking.

 

[Ninering62]

At what distance do you shoot when developing accuracy loads for your muzzleloader?

It depends on the muzzleloader;
With a sidelock & iron sights I will dial in one hole groups at 50yds then move to 100yds. With scoped inlines I dial in one hole groups at 100yds.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

At what distance do you shoot when developing accuracy loads for your muzzleloader?

There was a time, when I sighted all my guns in at 100 yrds…then learned where they hit at each range, between and beyond. Well…now the sights are harder to see clearly, and 100 yrds is not as clear either. I still shoot it, but not with as much finesse. 2” groups at 100 yrds are a long time ago, 6” groups seem to be more the norm.

I start at 25 yrds with a new gun. Final sight in is at 50 yrds, 1 1/2” to 2” high…and I limit my hunting to within 80 yrds…though I’m not afraid to take that 100 yrd shot if it’s all that is offered.

 

[Ninering62]

25 yards for me as well. If it won't group there it won't get any better further out. Saves a lot of walking too.

If a gun won’t group at 25yds, it’s better used to beat fence posts in with it or get rid of it. If I can’t shoot well enough to group at 25yds it’s time to quit shooting.