Getting into ML

[OXN939]

150 yards max with a scoped muzzy?! Surely you’re joking @OXN939!

Absolutely! Here are a few reasons why.

1. This thread is about a brand new hunter asking for advice, not a guy with over 30 muzzleloaders.

2. Even among experienced blackpowder hunters, most setups in the field today are not capable of ethically killing much past 200. Take a Thor 250 out of a CVA Accura, a common CO legal setup that OP mentioned. Even with a redlined load, that projectile is moving slower than bullets from many compact handguns by 250.

3. Even if you do gain years' worth of experience blackpowder hunting, spend several thousand dollars on a custom setup with ultra high BC bullets, and make a perfect shot from a field expedient position using irons on a target 400 yards away, the ballistic performance you can expect goes from "outright unethical" to "alright." Advertising long range muzzleloader hunting to brand new shooters is a lot like Cam Hanes posting videos of himself shooting 100 yards on instagram. If we knew the exact number of elk this year that were injured by a kid who watched a bunch of videos like that, bought a bow online, practiced for a month and then confidently sent a shot at an animal at about three times their realistic MER, we would collectively be sick.

So yep. 150 and in for me with my smokepoles. Make muzzleloader hunting primitive again.

 

[ElDiablito]

Absolutely! Here are a few reasons why.

1. This thread is about a brand new hunter asking for advice, not a guy with over 30 muzzleloaders.

2. Even among experienced blackpowder hunters, most setups in the field today are not capable of ethically killing much past 200. Take a Thor 250 out of a CVA Accura, a common CO legal setup that OP mentioned. Even with a redlined load, that projectile is moving slower than bullets from many compact handguns by 250.

3. Even if you do gain years' worth of experience blackpowder hunting, spend several thousand dollars on a custom setup with ultra high BC bullets, and make a perfect shot from a field expedient position using irons on a target 400 yards away, the ballistic performance you can expect goes from "outright unethical" to "alright." Advertising long range muzzleloader hunting to brand new shooters is a lot like Cam Hanes posting videos of himself shooting 100 yards on instagram. If we knew the exact number of elk this year that were injured by a kid who watched a bunch of videos like that, bought a bow online, practiced for a month and then confidently sent a shot at an animal at about three times their realistic MER, we would collectively be sick.

So yep. 150 and in for me with my smokepoles. Make muzzleloader hunting primitive again.

That’s one way to look at it. Here’s another.

[Caveat: Every hunter should be familiar and proficient with their equipment and know their (and their bullet’s) maximum range. If a guy isn’t comfortable\capable past 150 yards he shouldn’t be shooting further.]

If you're shooting a scoped muzzy, you’re not hunting CO and you can likely shoot a higher performance saboted bullet.

But let’s look at a pretty standard chart for an average 250 gr bullet (Thor with a Bc of .220) with a mv of 2000 fps. Almost 1100 ft/lbs of energy is plenty for deer-sized game at 250 yards.

 

[Mtndawger]

That’s one way to look at it. Here’s another.

[Caveat: Every hunter should be familiar and proficient with their equipment and know their (and their bullet’s) maximum range. If a guy isn’t comfortable\capable past 150 yards he shouldn’t be shooting further.]

If you're shooting a scoped muzzy, you’re not hunting CO and you can likely shoot a higher performance saboted bullet.

But let’s look at a pretty standard chart for an average 250 gr bullet (Thor with a Bc of .220) with a mv of 2000 fps. Almost 1100 ft/lbs of energy is plenty for deer-sized game at 250 yards.

View attachment 791373

1700 fps with 100 gr 777 is more realistic muzzle velocity from a 26” barrel 50 caliber 250 grain from a Cva

 

[Mtndawger]

I really do wish Colorado would change their rules on caliber. I think a .45 caliber would be every bit as good on elk, maybe better. Higher velocity and flatter trajectory.

 

[ElDiablito]

1700 fps with 100 gr 777 is more realistic muzzle velocity from a 26” barrel 50 caliber 250 grain from a Cva

Why limit yourself to 100 gr? Max load on most modern inlines is 150 grV (except Bh209 which is 120 grV).

It’s easy to hit 2000 fps with 777 and a 250 gr bullet.