LR Muzzle Loaders

[liltank]

Anybody ever try shooting a conventional or inlive muzzle loader long range... say 400+ yrds. Just curious. Post with any stories. Farthest I have hit anything with open sights was a two liter bottle of water at 100yrds. That is a pretty simple shot I know!

Sound Off,
Tank

[jmason]

Originally Posted by liltank

Farthest I have hit anything with open sights was a two liter bottle of water at 100yrds. That is a pretty simple shot I know!

Sound Off,
Tank

Tank I wouldn't call that simple. I don't think I could do that at fifty with my "flinch lock". I can't seem to get used to the poof in my face before the bang. I had to sight it in using a vise and don't hunt with it because I can't shoot it. In short it makes a better bat or spear for my use.

[liltank]

Originally Posted by jmason

Tank I wouldn't call that simple. I don't think I could do that at fifty with my "flinch lock". I can't seem to get used to the poof in my face before the bang. I had to sight it in using a vise and don't hunt with it because I can't shoot it. In short it makes a better bat or spear for my use.

LOL! I know what you mean. I shot that with a percussion rifle. I shoot in the spring and fall at a Muzzle Loader Rondevue. It is a lot of fun. I have seen some pretty good shots over the years. I have been shooting the old smoke poles since 1989. I think they are a lot of fun.

We just had our spring shoot this weekend. Dad and I cleaned house this year. We had a rare good day. I won't be able to shoot worth a darn for another couple of years. It just seems to work that way. I was using a flint lock this spring. It is a frontier. Had some flint issues. Luckily the rain held out.

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

my longest is 200yards on the range with a Traditions Evolution LD not the best group but a kill shot.

[Varmint Hunter]

I've been getting 2" groups @ 200yds and would be confident out to 250yds or so. Terminal energy may be a big problem @ 400 yds even if you could reliably hit your target.

Assuming a high BC bullet in a thick sabot AND an accurate load, I guess it's possible. I'd like to see something like a 208gr A-Max (.308) in a sabot at good initial velocity. If you could get that combo to shoot accurately then you'd be good to go.

[J E Custom]

Originally Posted by liltank

Anybody ever try shooting a conventional or inlive muzzle loader long range... say 400+ yrds. Just curious. Post with any stories. Farthest I have hit anything with open sights was a two liter bottle of water at 100yrds. That is a pretty simple shot I know!

Sound Off,
Tank

Tank.

The best I ever shot my Muzzel loader was a 5" 5 shot group @ 300yrds ,Using a 620gr cast
postnell bullet in front of 150grs of xx black powder (This load is a bear and should only be
used in a modern rifle).

The trajactory is kind of like a mortar but it does hit with authority.

I did not try beyond 300 because a 5 inch groups are my comfort zone on deer.

I did not try the BP substitutes ether but they might do better.

Also I like the sabots out to 150yrds but beyond that they were just not as accurate in
my rifle.

J E CUSTOM

[Michael Eichele]

Originally Posted by Varmint Hunter

I'd like to see something like a 208gr A-Max (.308) in a sabot at good initial velocity. If you could get that combo to shoot accurately then you'd be good to go.

I would be interested to see how this would work seeings how most 50 cal muzzle loaders use around a 1:28" twist barrel.