Something tells me you do well with the flintlock. I've yet to take a shot (with my muzzleloader)at game beyond 80 yds anyway,up tothat distance I've not a thing to worry about. Now I have a new rifle and it hasn't been tested at the range over 75 yards. For now that's the limit, but by hunting season I intend to know its 100 yard performance.

Eventually, I would like to be able to consistently hit a 12" target at 200 yards. I don't know if it can be done. It just sounds liketrying to get there would be fun. For hunting though, even were I to succeed, I will probably continue to consider100-120 yards a maximum for me.

My Elk load last year was 115 grains of T7 wonder wad and a 348 powerbelt. Out of an Omega this was dead on at 118 yards,and 6" low at
160 yards and 20" low at 200 yards,I shot this load a lot to verify these drops. This is with a peep sight. Under the right conditions I would have no problem taking a 200 yard shot.160 yards is very doable.
I plan on changing to my Ultra-mag with 460 grain bull shop bullets this year but still verifing drops with this load. I am an old retired guy with his own range in the back yard. Weather has been nice for shooting in the 60's.
Redclub

Right, but your velocities are alot higher than mine. I intend to continue with a much milder charge, although I have considered beefing up to extend range. When you go to the 460, you will find velocity distribution will have a larger impact on your spread. Are you shooting open sights? What are your patterns like at 160 yards with that load?

Happy Hunting, Phil

Pglasgow
I've been using the same ballistics calculator - do you have any data that proves/disproves the BC calculations it provides? For instance, punching in the Buffalo Bullets 375gr SSB info one gets a BC of .514! While the 460 NE has a BC of .259 which I believe UC said .25 was a good estimated BC to use for these large round nose conicals ...

I'm still working on being able to shoot consistent groups so haven't gotten to your level yet (per this thread), but it's clear from all of the various projectiles we could shoot - and what's available in an all lead one at that - they have a pretty big BC spread amongst them. Sheer drop out to 150yds regardless of sight in distance is limiting in my opinion. I'm not sure I'll be able to shoot out to 150yds with dead center holds on deer sized game - time will tell though.

cheers,
phil

The BC of the 375 Buffalo SSB is good, but not that good. I don't remember what it is, but I'm pretty sure its above .30 according to actual 100 yard chrono to chrono tests which Buffalo has done. Seems like Randy Wakeman published an interview at Chuckhawks.com with Buffalo's founder and the BC is mentioned there.

Keep in mind Philnie, that you don't have to use the BC calculator in order to use the trajectory calculator. Just put the appropriate BC number in the field of the trajectory calculator and recalculate.

I think if I actually get serious about taking 150 yard shots at game, I will make certain that my muzzle velocities exceed 1550 ft/s and that my zero is around140-145 yards. That way, I can shoot lower in the vitals at short range where I am confident about the groups. At 150 I would aim "point-blank". With this arrangment my "elevation adjustments"are taken at ranges that are easier to determinewhile still keeping the sights on the vitals.

Happy Hunting, Phil

At 160 yards I can shoot 4" groups with a peep sight. This target I use is very conductive to long range shooting. I take a 17"black archery target and put a duct tape (yellow) cross across the middle on top of the large target I put a 6" blaze orange cirlce I put the front sight just under the orange circle and also line up the yelow cross. I try to hit the yellow cross. When I get my load/sights where I want them then I switch to full size elk cutouts and you will be amazed how far you can kill an Elk on these cutouts
Redclub

It has been a long running theory of mine that it is easier to center the point of aim on the vitals of game than it is on a target. I've been wanting to do the elk cutout/silouette.

We have very similar ideas on target construction. I very much prefer the cross arrangement as do you.

Very tight pattern. Right now, i would expect that size pattern at 150 yards with a machine rest and the loads I've worked with so far. Before my own sighting uncertainty is factored. Primarily, due to the velocity distribution. If your load ranges 100 fps with an average of 1800 fps, I figure the velocity distribution only contributes a maximum 1.80"to thespread. If your velocity distribution range is tighter than that, then it would be less. So your sighting precision is probablyon the order of 1 MOA with your peep.

Happy Hunting, Phil