In my opinion, it is best to understand that a muzzleloader (unless you use smokeless) will never be a high velocity, flat trajectory, weapon. Part of the mystique of the sport is to get closer, and make the first shot count. Heavy bullets carry more energy at longer ranges, so you have to be careful about sacrificing energy for trajectory. Honestly, if you shoot enough and know the range, 200 yard shots are certainly achievable with heavy (300+ gr.) projectiles. Lighter projectiles are also shorter, and once they begin to shed velocity, drop like a rock due to their B.C. Smokeless cartridge development allowed much lighter projectiles with higher velocity, but when you look at what was being used in the blackpowder era, the rounds are very underpowered by today's standards. They STILL killed game effectively AND you could "eat up to the bullet hole". You may also find that the heavier, full bore conicals shoot pretty darn good at longer ranges, as well. I DO like the advanced bullet construction allowed by sabot use, and really feel that anything under 240gr is getting kind of light for longer range work. Just my opinion.
