patchholder

Alot of people tell me to shoot 150 grns to reach maximum accuracy and killing potential at 200 yds with 250 shockwaves out of my omega, my question is could I get away with it if i went a little less hot with the powder caharge like maybe 120-130. I want to kill big bucks out to 200.

cayugad

I've never shot a deer with a muzzleloader at that distance but 120 grains of powder is a lot of power. Also with the aerodynamic properties of the Shockwave I think that would be more then plenty if you are able to place that projectile in the right spot. I think too many people worry about magnum loads. They are of little value if your accuracy suffers.

If I had my rifle loaded with 100 grains of powder, and could time after time place my shot at 200 yards, I would be willing to chance a shot if everything was right and the shot agreed with me.

Even if the bullet does not pass through, put that in the vital organs and it should bring the animal down within a reasonable distance.

Roskoe

I used to load 150 grains of Pyrodex pellets with a 250 grain Barnes Expander MZ. Switched to the 250 Shockwaves last year, and dropped the charge to 130 grains of pellets. According to the chart, I am getting about the same 200 yards impact velocity with either load - due to the Shockwave's more streamlined shape. Either load will shoot around four to six inches at 200 yards. Both are great game getters.

skeeter 7MM

Last fall I shot a mulie doe at just under 200 yards with a 250gr SST behind the equiv. of approx 120 pelletized powder (105Gr of T7 loose). The bullet completely passed thru her rib cage damaging both lungs and she hobbled20-25 yards before falling. So no you don't need 150 grains to effectively harvest game in the 200 yard range. However what you do need is accuracy which may or may not come at the higher power loads, confidence and to know your abilities both ballistically and personally. So you'll need to shoot/practice at 200 and find your happy medium. Please remember the size of the projectile from a 50 cal Ml is highly suspect to wind drift so don't just shoot it at in perfect range conditions, be real so you know your limitations when it matters most in the field. Personally unless the situation is absolutely perfect I won't attempt a shot of this length...to me this is broadside/standing, minimal wind, solid rest and confident about the shot that ensues. If I ain't 100% sure of a positive outcome I don't slide the safety off, regardless if it is within my practiced abilities. IMO no sense chancing it and potentially wounding an animal.

Best of luck.

Takeum007

I use a 295 powerbelt bullet and 2 pellets of 777,,, works great for those 100 yard shots,,, havent missed a deer yet up to 150 yards,, Just dont switch to 245's with that same load,,, sails over their heads like a Bigdog

Birdrider

I was shooting 250 SW and 100 grains of Pyro pellets today at 200 yards. It seemed like a long time between the shot and the sound of the impact. It was kida cool to hear the big thump when the bullet hit the backstop.

I was sighted dead on at 100, and at 200 it was about 8-9 inches low and 3 inches of wind drift. Wind was probley 5-7mph today. I'm going to throw 3 pellets in there tomarrow and see what the difference is.

G2 Shooter

I have to agree with skeeter on this one. Accuracy is more important. I used to shoot 150 grains of Pyrodex pellets because I could and I thought it was cool to shoot "magnum" loads. I then started experimenting and found that 130 grains worked a lot better. I have that pushing a 200 grain shockwave. I have not had the opportunity to shoot at a deer past 130 yards. It worked well on a doe out to 130 yards though. I would suggest you find what load works best in your ml and practice with that at different yardages. Over 1000 ft/lbs of energy at 200 yards wont help you much if you can't hit what your aiming at.