150 yard shot with Huntsman

[bern]

I have been watching two big eight points on our hunting land.  They seem to be coming out about 100-150 yards from my stand.  I can't move any closer.  I currently use two 777 pellets with 240 grn xtp .44cal sabots in my .50 cal huntsman.  I have it set dead on at 100 yards.  I'm getting less than 2 inch groups with it.  I have never shot a deer with it that far.  Will that load kill a deer at 150 yards?  If it will, what kind of bullet drop should I expect?

Thanks,   

[PHATINJUN]

If it were me I'd try and wait for the 100 yrd or less but if you got no wind perfect broadside shot and are sure they ain't coming closer well!!! I bet the bullet drops quite a bit at 150 maybe as much as 12". They are probly 3yr olds and ain't full of rut yet. But If it were me and they were doing the same thing each time out I'd try a doe decoy set up out in front of me and a hot doe in heat call to try and move them in. Kurt

[bern]

Thanks for the tip.  I'm going to try to shoot a few 150 yards shots at the range.  It would be good to know the bullet drop.  My real concern is how much energy is that bullet going to deliver at that range.  Is it enough?

Thanks,   

[quickdtoo]

Here are some ballistic tables for bullets similar to the 240gr XTP, their 100gr data will give you an idea of the muzzle velocity with 2 pellets, but it's best you shoot at the intended range to know the actual drop at that range. The 240gr XTP has a BC of .205, if you determine the muzzle velocity, you can use the ballistic calculator below to estimate down range energy.

Tim

http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/MuzzleloaderData.pdf

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?page=ballistics/popup&product_sku=6720

http://www.handloads.com/calc/

[Cookiemann]

Thanks for asking this, bern.  I may have a chance to hunt an area where longer shots may be needed, next year.  I was wondering about the effective range of a Sidekick as compared to a 12ga USH  or Tracker.  I think I may go for a 12ga.

cookiemann

[bern]

I can tell you since I posted this message that I purchased some 180 grn precision extended range bullets from cabelas.  I have my gun sighted in at 3 inches high at 100 yards.  It's dead on at 140 yards.  I'm getting 3 inch groups at that distance.  Not bad in my book.  It's good enough to take a deer.  I'm just waiting on the two bucks to show up.  I did call precision bullets and they said I should be good with that load out to 225 yards.  I don't know about that since I have not shot that distance.  I plan on keeping my shots no longer than 150 yards.

[quickdtoo]

PR Bullet has a drop chart for a bunch of bullets used with 100gr T7 charges.

Tim

http://www.prbullet.com/drop.htm