The distance you shoot your black powder rifles at will depend on the rifle, the optics, the projectile, your shooting ability and lots of practice. I have shot my Black Diamond XR out to 200 yards at paper targets. I would really have to have perfect conditions to try that in a hunting situation. The animal would need to be perfect, the rest would have to be perfect, and when the circumstances surrounding the shot were evaluated, I would have to know in my mind that I could make the shot. That means I probably would not take such a shot.

If you want a safe distance, consider your muzzleloader a 100 yard rifle. Granted no arguement it will shoot much further then that very well, but if you keep in mind this is a muzzleloader and you want to get the best possible shot because you only have one, there are times I do not take shots even under 100 yards. Even at close ranges because something is not right, I have passed on the shot.