Author Topic: What 200yd muzzleloader? (Read 1428 times)

DLH · « **on:** December 28, 2005, 01:51:05 PM »

Around the coffee pot this morning the talk went to shooting a muzzloader at 200yds. What muzzleloader shoots the best at that range?
Now I have shot ML since 1972, target and hunting, but always and still use round ball. acc wasn't good!

But lets hear what you guys think is the best gun for long range shooting and hunting?

Thanks :wink:

sabotmaker · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2006, 02:47:25 PM »

Let me say first that I am not an advocate of long range shooting of game animals with a muzzleloader and in many if not most cases that goes for centerfire rifles also.

Many muzzleloading rifles old and new can shoot very good at 200 yards and more. For long range shooting and particularly hunting choose an elongated bullet rather than a roundball. The bullets sectional density and ballistic co-effecient deliver better accuracy because they can overcome conditions such as wind better than a ball. Bullets also retain much more of their energy due to the same parameters.

I have shot many Knight and Thompson-Center rifles that deliver 4 inch groups at 200 yards. Not saying they all do but many will. Finding the combination of rifle,powder and projectile that will involves experimentation.

If there is a
"magic combination" that assures this kind of accuracy it has evaded me.

Oldsnow · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2006, 03:39:10 PM »

I have taken my share of white tails at 200+ Yd's. Using T/C Omega, Encore and Savage ML II Rifles. All of the deer were taken with Hornady's 250 GR. SST.

sabotloader · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2006, 05:24:33 PM »

DLH

These days there are a lot of ML's with the abiltiy to shoot accurately at 200 yards. The bigger question in my mind is how many shooters are qualified to shoot 200 yards accurately.

Anybody can shoot 200 yards on occasion and even hit the target - but to be consistant and accurate - takes practice and time.

Just my thoughts...

AndyHass · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2006, 05:26:23 PM »

I use a T/C Omega. Out of the box the accuracy was ok, but sometimes sporadic. Problem was varying tightness of the action screws in the wood stock. I pillar bedded the action, and it now shoots sub-MOA to 300 yds. This season I took a doe at 180-200 yds.
Shooting well past 100 yds with a ML requires a lot more work than just pulling it out of the box, getting a zero, and pulling the trigger. As I described, I bedded my gun and put hundreds of rounds downrange to establish the trajectory at all ranges. Laser rangefinders are a must if the eye-apparent range estimation is 150 yds+. It is vital that you use the flattest-shooting load your gun will accurately shoot. Good bullets are the .357 and .40 Dead Centers, and the 200 and 250 gr Shockwaves/SSTs. I shoot 110gr 777 and the 200gr SST. ANY shot over 100 yds is off a Harris bipod or backpack rest (and most under that as well).
The capability of the gun is one thing. A tackdriver is useless, however, if the person behind the rifle can't back it up. This is usually the limiting factor. I'd say I'd trust maybe 10% of the hunters I know to shoot 200+ yds with ANY weapon.

a45gunslinger · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2006, 06:32:23 PM »

sabot loader hit the nail on the head, many haven't even shot 200 yds. at a range

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2006, 02:05:57 AM »

I know for a fact my Encore is up to the task, I practice at 200 yards with mine. I have taken several 150 to 160 yards shots on deer and have dropped them without one getting away. Like posted before, practice is key. Would I recommend a 200 yards shot to all, No.

Now if you want a real 200 yard or even 300 plus yard muzzleloader look at the ultimate muzzleloader. 250 gr. five pellets.

http://www.ultimatefirearms.com/

Ricci Price · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2006, 10:36:15 PM »

I made one kill this year 215 steps with mine. It's a custom built smokeless barrel in 45 cal. I didn't even have to think about it put it on his shoulder and pulled the trigger.

gleason.chapman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2006, 06:22:23 AM »

Quote from: DLH

Around the coffee pot this morning the talk went to shooting a muzzloader at 200yds. What muzzleloader shoots the best at that range?
Now I have shot ML since 1972, target and hunting, but always and still use round ball. acc wasn't good!

But lets hear what you guys think is the best gun for long range shooting and hunting?

Thanks :wink:

If you go to Toby Bridges Site you will find many:
http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/Contents.html

also do a Google Search for "high performance Muzzleloading".
Chap Gleason

jh45gun · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2006, 08:50:52 PM »

Yea it can be done but how many shoot at that range? Conicals and muzzle loader bullets or pistol bullets in sabots are not designed to shoot as flat as centerfire bullets so yea you can do it but you better practice at those ranges to make sure you know where the gun is shooting at that distance. Something some folks do not do then wonder why they missed. Myself I like to shoot them close.