I just took my first deer of the season on Saturday evening, and it was also my first deer taken with a muzzleloader. Now, I am a traditionalist, so having a bolt-action, inline, synthetic-stocked ML really hurt me to the core. HOWEVER, . . . . I saw a spike Muley at the top of a huge coulie, and he ran down the hill. I decided to give chase, so I ran full-speed down the hill (scary!), skidded to a halt halfway down when I saw him, grabbed my laser rangefinder . . . 184 yards. Hmmmm. I laid down for a prone shot, aimed just above his back and squeezed (I was using open sights no less!). Boom! After the cloud of smoke cleared, I couldn't see anything, but also didn't see the buck run out of the section of bush. Thought there was no way I got him, but realized I needed to check, just in case I wounded him. I got down there, and he was in a heap exactly where I shot him! Right behind the shoulder! Unbelievable! Not only was this my first ML deer, it was also my longest shot on deer. I feel like I should be shot for trying that shot, but I had put rounds on target at 150 yards, knew the velocity, and figured I knew what the trajectory would be. What do you think???
Long-range ML deer!
- Thread starter gabrielguitars
- Start date
Being shot maybe is a bit strong but hold over is an inexact science at best, especially with open sights and I'd say you obviously have a good deal of skill but a liberal amount of luck was thrown in. It likely could have just as easily resulted in a wounded buck. Don't think I'd shoot you but if you plan on doing more long range muzzleloader shooting, a more appropriate sighting system may be in order.
Whats really funny is when you state that you are a "traditionalist", but then you grab your laser rangefinder 
180 yards is a LOOOONG shot for open sights, especially with hold-over blocking out the deer. The front post must have been the size of the whole deer. I think I would look into either a good peep sight, or a scope. Congrats on your 1st BP deer.
180 yards is a LOOOONG shot for open sights, especially with hold-over blocking out the deer. The front post must have been the size of the whole deer. I think I would look into either a good peep sight, or a scope. Congrats on your 1st BP deer.
Well, when I say traditionalist, I was referring strictly to muzzleloading. I would much prefer to use a flintlock smoothbore Tulle fusil-de-chasse, but there are times when "what works" is what I do to put meat in the freezer, if you know what I mean.
Shame on you for taking that long unethical shot. Just kidding.
Good on you for taking the shot. You'd never know if you dont try.
The average M\L with 100 grs of BP will hit at about 17 inches low at 200 yards, so you're calculations were right on.
Congrats on you're deer!!...
Just kidding.Good on you for taking the shot. You'd never know if you dont try.
The average M\L with 100 grs of BP will hit at about 17 inches low at 200 yards, so you're calculations were right on.
Congrats on you're deer!!...
Of the six deer my buddy, myself and my son shot so far this fall the ranges were 50, 150, 167, 168, 225 and 221 yards. My friend started his season with a 278 yard 80 inch goat. No misses, no wounding and only 1 ran at all. What a guy can do with stiffly loaded loaded muzzleloaders, and a lot of practice is considerable.
Guessing that wasn't a caplock with buckhorn sights though.......
Vanessa knocked a big caribou down at 279 this year as well but with a high-tech in-line shooting nearly 2,200fps with a ballistic reticle scope. Long-range muzzleloading is more than holding over, adjusting for windage and saying a prayer.
Nope, a Knight Mk 85, TC Encore, and Savage smokeless.
