Optics for Modern muzzleloaders

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RyPal

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Guys,

I am picking up a CVA Accura in the next couple of weeks. It'll likely be the MR-X in .50. Purpose is a mix of target and hunting, particularly the BP season in Ontario to start.

I have been trying to decide on glass for it. The shop recommends the Leupold Ultimateslam 3-9x40.

I have been doing a fair bit of shooting over the past year with a Nightforce SHV 4-14x5- F1 Mil-R (on a .223)on paper and varmints & have really grown to be comfortable with it.

I was thinking of sticking with the reticle & getting an NXS 2.5-10x42 Mil-R as well to keep my reticles consistent.

Understand that with the right loads, these MLs can be quite accurate & reach out a bit further & I want to be able to fully use it on paper at least.

Not super worried about price, but I have narrowed it down to these 2 brands, so don't confuse me anymore please unless I am really out to lunch.

Thoughts?

Ryan
 
For deer hunting in SSW Ontario, I think having a lower power scope is better than a higher power scope. Last year it was difficult to see the deer at 15 yards with my 3-9X40. Kinda wish I had a 2-7 or a 1.5-4.5 power.

So, out of your list, I say the 2.5-10 has short range and long range capabilities.

Only you know where you are hunting. Inside the bush? Overlooking farm fields? What is your minimum shot distance? Maximum distance?
 
Thanks for getting back to me W.

Tightest would be 50-70 yards in hardwoods (but heck, they have run right under me lol) to about 400 hundred in the fields (I would not poke out that far unless thoroughly practiced and confident, but have seen them out there).

Stand location changes on the winds and conditions.

Ryan
 
Thanks guys.

I missed out on that used Leupold, and I figure you only live once, so I ordered the Nightforce.

If it doesn’t work out I’ll move it along to another rifle and try the ultimate slam reticle from leupold.

Ryan
 
I've shot a lot of deer in Southern Ontario with muzzleloaders. The furthest shot I've taken a deer at was 107 yards and most between 30 and 50 yards. I use a M8 Leupold 4x that works quite well but a 1 to 6x or 2 to 7x would be just about perfect in my opinion.
 
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Just finished building a LR smokeless in 45cal and toped it off with a Vortex Razor HD LHT, 3-15x42 with an MRAD ret. Still trying to find time to get it out to the range.
 
Thanks Sir, I agree, low power is good & for hunting all my optics generally sit on their lowest magnification until needed. The scope will probably live at 2.5x all fall.

Made that mistake once at 50 yards while on 9 power trying to look through brush.

I do like a bit more magnification when target shooting & developing the load. Aim small, miss small & all that.

Ryan
 
I hunt with a Savage 10mlii, and I just use a Leupold 3-9x40. Works well for my needs, but then again I never needed a shot beyond 125 yards, most common being 50-75 yards.
 
RyPal said:
Guys,

I am picking up a CVA Accura in the next couple of weeks. It'll likely be the MR-X in .50. Purpose is a mix of target and hunting, particularly the BP season in Ontario to start.

I have been trying to decide on glass for it. The shop recommends the Leupold Ultimateslam 3-9x40.

I have been doing a fair bit of shooting over the past year with a Nightforce SHV 4-14x5- F1 Mil-R (on a .223)on paper and varmints & have really grown to be comfortable with it.

I was thinking of sticking with the reticle & getting an NXS 2.5-10x42 Mil-R as well to keep my reticles consistent.

Understand that with the right loads, these MLs can be quite accurate & reach out a bit further & I want to be able to fully use it on paper at least.

Not super worried about price, but I have narrowed it down to these 2 brands, so don't confuse me anymore please unless I am really out to lunch.

Thoughts?

Ryan
Click to expand...

what velocity and what ballistic coefficient would this thing likely be shooting?
 
I run a 1.5-8 on my CVA Accura MR, longest shot so far has been 104 yards, closest was approx 20, and my last buck was shot at 68 yards. For my terrain of mixed hardwoods and old grown up scrub pasture, the shot at 104 yards is pretty much the max I can shoot anywhere on my hunting grounds. The 8X only gets used at the range, and even the 104 yard shot was done at 1.5X, and my scope is compact and lightweight making the rifle/optic combo perfect for all day hunts.
 
I don't actually have the gun quite yet (ordered it on Tuesday) so no definitive information, but I understand velocities between 1700 and 2000 are common with BH 209.

Just checking Hornady's boredriver - I see a 135 G1 for a 290 grain bullet. For the new boredriver ELD-X I see a. 315 G1 for a 340 grain bullet.

Listening to the Hornady podcast 043 right now & of course they are pushing the ELD-X.

Haven't looked up info on any of the other modern bullet types.

Ryan

blakeyboy said:
what velocity and what ballistic coefficient would this thing likely be shooting?
Click to expand...
 
With a ML and a 1.5-4x scope or such you should be able to put the crosshairs where they count for any practical ML range. But it is nice to be able to crank up the power to get a clear look at the 14'th head you have spotted poking out of the trees across that meadow.

Bill
 
RyPal said:
I don't actually have the gun quite yet (ordered it on Tuesday) so no definitive information, but I understand velocities between 1700 and 2000 are common with BH 209.

Just checking Hornady's boredriver - I see a 135 G1 for a 290 grain bullet. For the new boredriver ELD-X I see a. 315 G1 for a 340 grain bullet.

Listening to the Hornady podcast 043 right now & of course they are pushing the ELD-X.

Haven't looked up info on any of the other modern bullet types.

Ryan
Click to expand...

just wanted to apply my favourite hunting option to your thing here for giggles n sh1ts, the trijicon accupoint 3-9x40 mildot duplex has 4 dots under the crosshair, if .315 bc at 1700 fps and 100 yard zero the 1st dot would be 155 yards, 2nd dot 205 yards, 3rd dot 250 yards, and 4th dot would be 325 yards (still supersonic at 1173 fps)...at least in my elevation around 4000'

it's only 13.4 oz, it would be parallax well for modern muzzleloader, I think it would work well, just turn the mag ring up to 9x for when you need to shoot past about 125 yards and use your dots, nudge into the wind a bit and have a blast
 
blakeyboy said:
just wanted to apply my favourite hunting option to your thing here for giggles n sh1ts, the trijicon accupoint 3-9x40 mildot duplex has 4 dots under the crosshair, if .315 bc at 1700 fps and 100 yard zero the 1st dot would be 155 yards, 2nd dot 205 yards, 3rd dot 250 yards, and 4th dot would be 325 yards (still supersonic at 1173 fps)...at least in my elevation around 4000'

it's only 13.4 oz, it would be parallax well for modern muzzleloader, I think it would work well, just turn the mag ring up to 9x for when you need to shoot past about 125 yards and use your dots, nudge into the wind a bit and have a blast
Click to expand...

Lol, I wondered if that was where you were going with it. I am excited to get some real testing data to determine my drops. My scope should be here on Monday & the gun hopefully this week as well.

Thanks
Ryan
 
I use a couple smokeless Savages. Have a VX3 3.5-10 on one of them and FX3 6x42 on the other. Day to day it doesn’t make much difference in the field to me. The practical side of me leans to the variable, and the optics side of me can’t help noticing the fixed power scopes have a certain crystal clarity that brings a small grin all else being equal. Doesn’t help hit anything, but still……..
 
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