Maximum Effective Range ?

[john12865]

I'm new to muzzle loading and I'm looking for opinions on the maximum effective range when hunting whitetails.I'm a bow hunter (modern firearms became too easy) and take whitetails from 30 yards and less. It's become time to dabble with a muzzleloader. I've only been target practicing so far and I really like it! It makes one hell of a racket and I love the clouds this smoke stick gives off. It almost makes my bow seem a little under powered and I've discovered that my new found hobby is addictive! I'm shooting 177 grain .490 rd. balls with 100 grs of pyrodex out of a 26 inch barrel with a 1 in 48 twist if that makes a difference. So what do you guys think the maximum range would be to do the job on a white tail, so I have an idea of how to set up my sights. In the area I hunt(heavy woods) I won't expect to get a shot any further then 30 to 40 yards but I would like to sight it in for the maxium effective, ethical range for whitetails just in case I ever see one in an open area. Thanks for the help. ::

 

[Mike Brooks]

For me about 100 yards. Your range may vary. Basically, any range you can keep all of your shots inside of a 6" circle off hand.

 

Since you are used to hunting deer with a bow, you will be right at home with a MLer. From bow range out to 75 yds or so is the most effective range for a ML rifle. A good shot can take one at 100 yds with the right load (read big ball). Like Mike said, limit your range to where you can group 4-6 " and I add, retain enough energy to drive a ball deep into if not through the deer. Game has been taken farther, but the truth of the matter is that the old time hunters shot at close range (under 60 yds, typically under 30 yds) where the round ball is most effective. I have read many many period hunting stories and nearly all take place at point blank range on ambushed,cornered or treed game.

 

[Rebel]

I would say if most of the shots you are likely to get won't exceed 30-40 yds to sight in dead on at 50 yds. This wil put you close enough for a killing shot from the muzzle to 75 yds.

 

[walruskid1]

I Agree with rebel and those who sight in at 50 yds dead on. i also find out my drop at 100 yds. 100 is probably the farthest shot i would take. most of my kills have been under 50.


:imo: :results:

 

[john12865]

Thanks for your input guys, your information is very helpfull. I'll sight out Zero for 50 yards and that sounds like it would keep it in a kill zone for a little less and a little further. I like primitive forms of hunting and don't feel a need for conicals and sabots. Thanks again for the help, you've saved me alot of time and B.S. :grey:

 

[boar]

John Heres a good link, Bob Spencer's Blackpowder Note Book. He has a good chart about what you are looking for. Dilly

 

[Stumpkiller]

Howdy fellow New Yorker!

I treat my muzzleloaders like bows with 3x or 4x greater range (and 100% let-off :haha. If you have a rest and a clear shot at a motionless deer then 100 yards is outer envelope. Offhand I'm comfy out to 65 or 70 yards. 40 yards is ideal. And that's how I tend to hunt. I put myself where I can only see 50 yards and that settles everything. ::

 

[john12865]

Howdy fellow New Yorker!

I treat my muzzleloaders like bows with 3x or 4x greater range (and 100% let-off :haha. If you have a rest and a clear shot at a motionless deer then 100 yards is outer envelope. Offhand I'm comfy out to 65 or 70 yards. 40 yards is ideal. And that's how I tend to hunt. I put myself where I can only see 50 yards and that settles everything. ::

I'm just east of Albany in WMU.4L Archrey has really sucked! I've seen 5 since opening day, all out of bow range. We have had alot of rain and some snow where I am.

I've spent alot days in the woods getting wet and cold. The deer are here but are really nocturnal.

I picked up a smoke stick and when muzzle opens there is going to be a payback, Trust me on that one. We'll see if they mock me then! :: Your right about the 100% Let,off, it's sweet! :grey:

 

[gordy]

Would have to go with the otheers on the max. of 100 yds.You never did say what make and model gun You are using?I have a TC Renegade with a 26" bbl. and 1;48 twist.Even with tight patch and a .490 ball,my groups start to open at 70+ grs.of RS Pyrodex.I havn't tried a thinner patch and a .495 ball might tighten the groups a little.I think a lot of people keep their shots at 75 yds. or under.I can't see well enough to stretch it beyond that range.Also as was said,the PRB drops below 500 FPE at 100 yds.with reasonable loads.If You just continue to hunt like You would using Your bow You'll do great. :front:

 

[john12865]

I'm thinking about showing them a new trick with a muzzie from the ground

 

[roundball]

Would have to go with the otheers on the max. of 100 yds.You never did say what make and model gun You are using?I have a TC Renegade with a 26" bbl. and 1;48 twist.Even with tight patch and a .490 ball,my groups start to open at 70+ grs.of RS Pyrodex.I havn't tried a thinner patch and a .495 ball might tighten the groups a little.I think a lot of people keep their shots at 75 yds. or under.I can't see well enough to stretch it beyond that range.Also as was said,the PRB drops below 500 FPE at 100 yds.with reasonable loads.If You just continue to hunt like You would using Your bow You'll do great. :front:

Gordy, don't know if you've ever tried the Oxyoke wonderwads but I think they make a huge difference with large powder[url] charges...in[/url] my TC 1:48" barrels, I've shot anywhere from 1+7/8" to 2+3/4" bench groups at 100yds using:

90grns Goex 3F
OxYoke wonderwad
.018" TC lubed pillow ticking patch
Hornady .490's & .530's

 

[jdixon]

Welcome to the sport. All of these other suggestions listed here are excellent. One thing that I would add that you have not probably thought of are the ballistics for a muzzleloader. At the farther rangers 100 yards and out, some of the MZ loads are pitfully weak in their remaining foot pounds of engery. The round ball projectile is the worst in this catagory. For instance your typical .50 cal round ball (.490 like you say you are shooting) hunting load has dropped to less than 500 ft. lbs. of energy as it passes the 100 yrd marker. When hunting larger game, this is a consideration. Given the distances listed in your post you should be just fine with the patched round ball. The conical bullets are not prone to this problem. Excellent source for ballistic information is Lymans Black Powder Handbook, it lists most of the your typical calibres, projectiles, loads and distances with velocities and energy.