How is your muzzle loader groupings for upcoming seasons?

[Far Sighted]

Since ML season starts a week from Saturday I wanted to confirm my CVA Optima V2 LR was still accurate from last winter.

I was looking for a 1.3" high group for the 50 yard which would put the bullets at zero in the 125 yards range. I shoot 9 times without cleaning. There was no blow by powder in and around the breech plug.

1st group (left photo) of five had me chasing a bit. Oh well! Initially the wind was about 10 mph from my left so I adjusted and later the wind slowed.

here the results of the last four shots.

This ML will get the job done.

 

[deermanok]

I'm excited to get a chance to bust a cap on a deer with my Optima pistol this season. I spent several outings at the range sighting in with the open sights and I think I have a good hunting load developed for it.

 

[sdporter]

Very rarely do I play at 50 yards. 95% of my targets are shot at 100. Most of my shots at deer have been over 100 yards, but that’s great grouping!
My Optima doesn’t come close to that at 100. I’ve never bettered 1-1/2” at 100. It will get the job done out to 200 easily but, I’m after that grouping at 100...

 

[deerlessbob]

Good shooting!

 

[WV Hunter]

Looks good, but I would still shoot at 100 to see how it looks. Sometimes patterns spread at farther distances that isn't noticeable at 50, in my experience. Where maybe a 5 or 10 gr tweak will tighten it up at 100 nicely.

 

[HC]

Absolutely, just about any load will shoot a “hole” at 50.

 

[Confederate rifleman]

My Firehawk is keeping 10 rounds in 2 1/2 inches at 100.
My Hawken (TC) does a little under 3 inches for 10.
Both like the same load. A .45 cal 250 gr XTP in a Harvester crush rib sabot and 70 grains of 3f Swiss Holy Black.
Both rifles are aperture sighted.
I'm in a GOOD place...

 

[Muggles]

Just returned from the range and astonished at all the guys there with muzzleloaders shooting six inch groups at 25 yards.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Just returned from the range and absolutely astonished at all the guys there with muzzleloaders shooting 9 inch groups at 25 yards. Rifles with scopes.

Yeah that is crazy.

 

[Muggles]

My new Arrowhead rifle shot bug holes at 100, wish the range was longer. She's definitely ready for the season.

 

[Far Sighted]

Just returned from the range and astonished at all the guys there with muzzleloaders shooting six inch groups at 25 yards.

Well! There's proof they were at the right place with the wrong stuff spraying shots.

 

[edmehlig]

I’ve seen guys blast away at 50 yards using a scope with their center fire rifles and a rest getting 4” plus groups and leave saying I’m good to go???

 

[dbowling]

My Armstech White .50 is shooting 3 shots right at a inch or a bit under ctc at 100 yds with 460 gr Bullshop an 65gr Swiss 2f.
T/C Thunderhawk Bell/Carlson T/H stock .50 is shooting .75 in 3 shot group at 101yds w/85 r Swiss 2f and Barnes 250gr MZ Expander
1.75 in 3 shot group with 85gr Swiss 2f and .44 300 gr XTP/harvester green crush rib sabot.
White .451 w/custom stock w/75 gr Swiss 2f, 460 gr Bullshop or Eds 460 gr conical shoots 1.25 in 3 shot group at 100yds.
Knight Master Hunter .50 300 gr Speer Deep Curl,90 gr BH209 shoots under a inch a tad at 100 yds.
T/C Renegade w/custom bored .54 Bobby Hoyt barrel(21 inches) No-Excuse 535 gr conical and 85 gr Goex 2f, 1.5- 2 inch 3 shot group at 60 yds.
Too many more to list still not sure what Im going to hunt with but probably the Armstech .50 or the .451.

 

[Far Sighted]

Do you have a backup? LOL ! Fine shooting bunch of MLs.
Good luck!

 

[Far Sighted]

I’ve seen guys blast away at 50 yards using a scope with their center fire rifles and a rest getting 4” plus groups and leave saying I’m good to go???

Looks like some beer drinking duds and hunting comes secondary.

 

[Scotts98rt]

I'll be sticking with my tc thunderhawk in a B&C thumbhole stock. 50 cal., 200 gr. Xtp in a break-a-way sabot. One ragged hole out to 125 yards. Although I own many others can't find one to out shoot it.

 

[BuckDoeHunter]

Nice shooting Far Sighted! That will put meat in the freezer for sure

5 muzzleloaders are ready in my house, 3 customs for longer range work and 2 smokers for the Ladies up close.

 

[Jbrown69]

Yeah that is crazy.

They should have started sooner. 6 inch at 25 is very poor!

 

[Smokey_GA]

200 yards, aiming at the top rim of the target

 

[tpcollins]

Our illustrious Michigan DNR has made changes this fall due to Covid19.

Not sure why but the ML seems to have been shorten AND we can use any legal firearm firearm which makes no sense.

However, I can use my .450 Bushmaster during our ML which is the 2nd most accurate rifle I have at 100 yards.