What caliber is the flattest shooting?

[Grenadier1758]

I should look for my pictures that I captured in a video of shots on the 200 yard bear silhouette. You can see in the streak of the ball approaching the target just how much it is dropping.

I found the thread with the pictures.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/muzzleloader-shooting-distance.135916/page-3#post-1901238

 

[HighUintas]

I think taking game cleanly at 200 with PRB would be tough and require a rest and no wind!

A .530 ball at 1900fps sighted for a 3" mpbr would drop roughly 30" at an elevation of 7000ft. A 5mph crosswinds would drift it 17"!!! A 10mph wind would drift it 34".

For a .57 ball at 1700, it would drop about 34" sighted for a 3" mpbr at 7000ft and drift 32" in a 10mph wind.

I wouldn't attempt it without a vernier sight and zero wind and a large vitaled target!

 

[Old Oak]

I would only question why you would like to be able to shoot beyond 125 yards? Depending on terrain and vegetation, almost all animals can be stalked to a closer range. If you just want to extend your hunting season, this is a great opportunity to learn how to get closer to animals and really learn their habits, experiences which will really enrich your life! Good luck on your endeavors!

 

[Stykbow]

I agree with @Old Hawkeye. You want to shoot game at 200 yards you need a modern in-line with sabots, a modern bullet, and a scope. If extended range hunting is the goal then traditional ML’s aren’t for you. I feel this is true for most shooters. There are always exceptions. I got back into trad ML’s because shooting deer at 200 yards got boring.

 

[beardedhorse]

The state that you draw a tag in will determine the legal caliber you can use in round ball and or oonical. In Colorado the minimum for elk is .54 for round ball while conicals can be used in 50 caliber with minimum weight requirements for either. . Round ball will kill pronghorn at 200 yards with proper placement but not recommended. Lots of practice at all ranges you can keep your projectile within the kill zone of the intended prey should determine your longest, ethical distance. Know your weapon, yourself and stay within their limitations. If you want flat you will need to go to cartridge rifles and modern powders. The unmentionable muzzle loaders with scopes and pelletized black powder substitute may extend the range at which you can successfully hit a target but in many states are outlawed or severely restricted. Shooting at 1000 yards at paper or metal gongs is different than live animals. As to .45, .50 and .54 caliber rifles, I found that .50 gave me both from the bench and offhand, my tightest groups with round ball.

 

[frankie]

45 caliber

 

[TraderVic]

Reading the OP's question, I reflect back on 30 years as a hunter safety instructor and working the shooting benches at rifle ranges.
Certainly we want and need to know our firearms, shoot them with proficiency at ranges we typically hunt at.
All of this said (along with many excellent points made already), I have met very few hunters who are proficient with any firearm at 200 yds, and a lot less.
I urge the OP to learn the many woodsman skills that are slipping away in recent years.
Hook up with experienced "still hunters", learn the ways of the woods, learn how to close the distance, get closer to your game, stealth in the woods.
One can learn and practice this hunting turkeys.
I've encountered too many "hunters" who complain about "no deer" because a trophy buck doesn't walk by at 50 yds, broadside.
Learn how to sharpen your skills, learning from your mistakes (everyone makes mistakes too). You might surprise yourself how much you'll enjoy the hunt and the outdoors by hunting slow and close.
Sorry I rambled so much..
Regards, Vic

 

[Archer 756]

TraderVic sometime the truth is needed, Thanks​

 

[deerstalkert]

as a old mountain man that mentored me used to say, "***** up on them until you can smell the acorns on their breath and the Licorish in their beans!" i have had many thrills doing just this.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

The OP never states whether he is interested in shooting PRB or conicals, just that he wants to be able to shoot at 200 yards which in my opinion rules out the PRB due to all the factors brought up previously in this thread and my own experiences.

The negative effect of wind on accuracy at 200 yards can not be understated.

 

[stikshooter]

I always question those 18th C. writers who claimed "snipers" could hit a man at 274 yards, etc. I just simply believe they didn't have or use the correct measurement. No one should be shooting at a living animal at 200 yards, anyway!

Humbug!!!/Ed

 

[stikshooter]

I have seen deer take a step at the same time the trigger was pulled. What was an accurate well placed shot turned into a gut shot deer that ran off never to be found but suffering until it bled out. I haven't and wont shoot at a animal over 200 yards and only then if the animal is grazing and put its head down to eat.

Stuff happens , just shoot a lot and it doesn't happen often ! Like car crashes but unless your ignorant you learn your capabilities and don't exceed them/problem solved/Ed

 

[stikshooter]

I've seen his posts, get him on a 1k range competing with folks who know about wind and mirage shooting and you will probably not be so impressed !

Bull stuff ,from folks that can't/Ed

 

[Idaho Ron]

Replying to the op. To get a flat shooting rifle you will need to reduce the bullet weight and increase powder.
The other way to shoot to 200 and farther is to increase bullet weight. Then put together a sighting system that is adjustable.
I have used adjustable peep sights for many years. I use a range finder set the sight and take the shot.
The increased bullet weight will help to a degree with wind, and it really will help with penetration on game at longer distance.
That said a 460 gr bullet will drift feet I'm the wind at 200 yards. Practice I'm those conditions is required.
I have taken shooters out with my rifles and they have hit my 12"x14" gong out to 200 yards without missing.
While it is easily possible to shoot game out to 200 yards it requires more than a good bullet and a great rifle. Your composure in this scenario is probably a bigger part of the puzzle. I have seen guys fall apart mentally with a bull elk or a big buck in front of them. Being a good shot on game takes practice too.

 

[deerstalkert]

Ron is spot on. the mental aspect is something that one must develop. the ability to watch a trophy walk away just past ones cumfort zone of shooting has to develop. many times over the years i have sat within shot of a great buck or bull but the circumstances dictated i just point my finger and say bang. then watch with broken heart as it hazes out of sight.

 

[HighUintas]

Very true! I made my first shot on an elk bull with my bow at 47 yards uphill while he was in his bed. It required a 1 hr spiderman crawl to get to a spot where I had a shot and then I had to hide behind a tree, stand up slowly, draw, jump out and put the pin on him. It was a pretty narrow tight shot too.

I knew I could make that shot because of how much I practiced that year and knew my limits. Without the confidence, I probably would have missed or shot him in the butt.

 

[deerstalkert]

i can no longer draw a bow so have shifted to muzzleloader just because it entails true hunting. not bad mouthing anyone that has made long range shots at all. my longest shot was one i didn't know couldn't be made. 2 shots to range and the third did the job. that was years ago and i still have that unmentionable lever action. the range was exactly the same as the bore 375 yards.
that was the longest shot i ever made and was pure luck. luck smiles on the young and dumb.
with a stick and string or a muzzle loader there have been many wonderful times when i could have actually poked the game. that is for me the biggest thrill of hunting.
dang i'm getting all juiced up for fall! missed hunting last year being in the kungfu flu ward in hospital.

 

[M. De Land]

Bull stuff ,from folks that can't/Ed

Bull stuff ,from folks that can't/Ed

Any one that competes at mid and long range shooting with black powder and lead bullets knows the truth in the statement! You will never be consistent without learning to read and adjust for both wind and mirage ! It takes time, study and hundreds of shots in practice to develop the skill ! A few spectacular shots actually signifies very little because no matter how well you can hold and get the shot off correctly when the condition changes so must your aim !

 

[French Colonial]

Bull stuff ,from folks that can't/Ed

Yep, some of us have shot a lot at 200 yards with lead bullets and BP and done it offhand with the correct rifle and done it well.

Whether the shooter is capable is another story.

 

[Pukka Sahib]

this thread got me thinking about the flinter i just built, fired for function and put up. it is a .45 TMR with a Ashmore warrented lock.
Green mountain barrel, straight 7/8ths , 42 inches . 1-66 i think, haven't checked.
i got it out and with 60g fffg, .010 spit patch shot it at my 150 yard 6x10 inch steel. the cast balls i used were about as ugly with wrinkles as Maxine Waters. now i haven't ever hit that steel with my 50's or 54's.
flints or percussion. i think i am in love with the .45.View attachment 146254

I particularly like the Maxine Waters reference. It does, conjure up a high degree of ugly !