Accuracy of BPCR vs. Black Powder Muzzle Loading

[miked]

I have been shooting muzzle loaders, both in-line and traditional, for about five years now. I have used these weapons primarily for hunting. Its been my experience that these weapons, as hunting tools with typical iron sights, have hunting range limitations. Certainly, there are, and have been, some people with the ability to shoot at extended ranges with muzzle loading rifles using iron sights as illustrated by European shooters using Rigby muzzle loading rifles during late 1800 international shooting competitions. Then again, there are plenty of present day muzzle loader hunters that limit themselves to 100 yard shots with good reason. My limited impression is that there is a lot more interest in shooting muzzle loading rifles well at 100 yards than 1000 yards.
Alternatively, there appears to be alot of interest in shooting BP Cartridge rifles at ranges between 600 and 1000 yards. As someone with a new found interest in BPCR, your opinions as to the differences in BPCR and muzzle loading weapons that lead to this apparent difference in perceived range limitations is appreciated. Does the muzzle loading process have  variables which contribute to greater margins of error or is it equipment such as sights used on the different weapons, culture associated with BPCR, or something else that leads to these variences in range applications? Thanks.

[sharps4590]

Hey miked...

It all depends on the type of muzzleloader you're talking about.  Our typical hunting style, Pennsylvania, Plains, Southern Mountain, Ohio or any of the variations, shooting round ball, aren't intended for long range.  As you noted there have been those down thru history who were capable of long range shooting with these weapons.  Now if you get into the Rigby, Gibbs and Whitworth and Enfield of CSA fame rifles, with correct sighting equipment, loads and projectiles for long range shooting, there is precious little if any difference between muzzleloading and BPCR rifles.  The first match at Creedmore where we shot against and defeated the Irish team was only won because one of the Irishmen shooters put a shot on the wrong target.  They were shooting muzzleloaders and we fired breech loaders and I believe it was Bodine of the American team who loaded his Rolling Block from the muzzle.  A very good account of the match is in Ned Roberts "The Muzzleloading Cap Lock Rifle".  The same book also talks about longer range shooting with muzzleloaders and I'd recommend it.

As you noted the difference between BPCR's and ML's  is merely perceived if one is using the correct type of ML rifle, load and sights for long range shooting.  When shooting a long range ML one is essentially shooting a BPCR without the brass case.  In my opinion and experience one is as accurate as the other, but only if you compare apples to apples.

Vic

[Ray Newman]

I have always had a hankering for a LR ML.

Vic said a lot in his post.

Here’s my SAWG (Scientific Wild Arsed Guess) based what I have observed, discussed w/ others, & read.

A LR ML rifle is expensive & hard to come by. It will shoot w/ the best of them. You just need the Really Big $$ to find an original. Or, pay the Big $$ to have a skilled gunsmith build up one w/ the false muzzle, loading tube, bullet mould, die, or swage, right barrel & twist, lock, possible patch cutter, etc. Finding someone who is skilled, willing, & able to do the work is another problem.

One thing ‘bout a cartridge rifle is that the Shooter doesn’t loose the range conditions, esp. light & wind.  & A good Shooter will take advantage of range conditions w/ a cart. rifle to fire maybe 2-3 rounds while the ML is loading.

However, w/ a ML, the Shooter must take the time to reload, & often this means loosing the range conditions. Also, it appears shooting a ML is physically tiring,  esp. in warm weather. The Shooter must get in & out of position ea. time to shoot & reload.