The forecast was for snow, but only 10 mi/hr winds, so i loaded up, and headed for the hills.














The snow was coming down about 1"/hr--the wind wasn't bad, but it was inconsistent in speed, and direction. The target was 200 yard out, and is kinda centered in all the photo. The snowflakes were a kinda of a tell of wind direction, but i wasn't patient enough to wait, and wait, for the wind to be the same for each shot.

It was 18 degrees. At least i didn't have to sit out in the snow to shoot.









The rifle was the Dream Season. Scope was 4X Leupold with CDS dial installed. The first load was 110g Blackhorn, 300g 45 caliber XTP, Black crush rib sabot, CCI 250 primer. Three shots were made using this load. These three shots are colored in the photo. How many snowflakes did the bullets hit on the way to the target?









Then the bullet was changed to the 44 caliber 300g XTP; the sabot to a green crush rib. The CDS dial was turned down a bit, so to kinda keep the different bullets apart. Five shots were taken using this load.

Very nice shooting. That kind of distance I have never tried. But you are giving me the itch to try.

I would love to shoot any of my rifles out to 200 or more yards. Nothing for me here to do that. Nice!

Good shooting Ron. And solid validation of the usefulness of a 4X scope.

Yes, i admit it is fun to shoot the rifles at longer ranges. It seems to me the most interesting thing i have learned is: how far wind deflects muzzle loading bullets at the longer ranges. The target frame has more than one hole made by a wind deflected bullet.

It is my opinion that a 4X scope can be used to accurately shoot further, than a 50 caliber muzzle loader using black powder can.

This morning the conditions were quite good for shooting. Wind was light, and mostly consistent. Snow was very light. Temperature was 9 degrees. Range was 200 yard. Rifle was the Dream Season. The load was 110g Blackhorn, 270g Deep Curl, crush rib sabot, CCI 250 primer. The shooter managed to hit the paper all 5 shots, and only one went to Eenarr.

Great shooting Ron