So like it or not Utah's new law allows variable power scopes on muzzleloaders this year. I've joined the crowd and am going that route.

My home range only goes to 200 yards. I believe that to be more than enough for hunting, but I always like to be somewhat prepared for anything.

My muzzleloader is shooting 1" high at 100 yards and 5" low at 200 yards. I'm shooting a 250 gr Barnes tmz (.210 bc) and 100 gr by volume of 209.

Calculations put my mv at just over 1800 fps and suggests a 13.6" drop at 300. Wondering how reasonable that sounds?

Sorry in advance as I know this could possibly be a touchy subject.

You've already done more than 90% of the shooters out there by actually shooting at 200. If your calculations are based on the B.C. of the actual bulket you're using, you've done about all you can do short of shooting at 300. It would be better if you knew the actual velocity in your gun of course.

I'm hoping you also have enough sense to refrain from taking a 300 yard poke at an unwounded animal with your rig. Lots of folks that wouldn't dream of such a shot with a .30/30 or .44 mag rifle think it's perfectly okay to try it with a ML. I've got a nice accurate, scoped inline, but wouldn't try beyond 150 myself, and then only under the best conditions.

Next thing is to shoot at 300, I wouldn't trust a calculation for that.

Thanks. I know best would be to test it and see. I'll probably hit an open area and try it.

Honestly though I've never personally shot at animal hunting further than 217 yards and that's with a high power rifle.

I don't see myself shooting past 200. I was more curious if it happens to be that the range is say 225 if I was in the park.

I ran the numbers with the .210 BC, 1800 fps MV, and +1 inch at 100 yards. At 5000 feet elevation I got -10" at 200 yards and -40" at 300 yards using Applied Ballistics, FWIW.

I just used the Berger Ballistics Calculator (google it) to confirm that the output from AB is close.

My PRB .54 Caplock shoots pretty well at 200 yards.

PRB200tgt by Sharps Man, on Flickr

Untitled by Sharps Man, on Flickr

Stunt shooter!

Interesting. I used the software off of long range hunting. Can't remember what it's called.

I'll check out some of those others.

Nice! Open sights even?

Nice rifle.

The days of 1800 these loaders shot 800 1000 yards better then most new rifles of our time .Go get the book on Ned Roberts look it up

This sounds correct I am running same bullet as op in my savage with a healthy dose of 4198 I put my vel. around 2300 and my drop was what was originally posted.

Smokepole's data looks right for the drop at 300.

Shooting at 300 would be the best. You could also fill in more points between 100 yards and 200 yards. I like to take a 22" x 42" target (it fits in an old real estate frame) and shoot groups every 25 yards from 100 - 325 yards then "verify" with milk jugs full of colored water.

I don't think I'm significantly more accurate with a scope over a peep sight but I do like the BDC bars that my scope has. Next year I'll likely be using a SWFA 6x42.

13" of drop sounds more like 200 yards, not 300.

I had the same thought. My hawken with 240 gr. XTP over 100 loose 777 is on at 120, 16 low at 200.

Well the hunt came and went. Never did try the 300 yards. I shot my buck at 130 yards. I passed on him at 182 yards due to the wind and relocated him a few hours and 1 mile later.

Here is the link
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...1478887/1/UT_general_muzzle_loader_succe

Sweet deer & well done.