What Range do you Sight in for?

[playfarmers]

BigBadBen, my .50 Lyman Deerstalker using round balls has cleanly taken 3 Whitetails at around the 100 yard mark. They where shots taken from a solid rest, no wind, and a good sight picture to shoot at. Shots past 50 yards are seldom, but over the past 18 years I have taken these 3. I find it much more fun to get in real close, but it is nice to know what your rifle will do.

 

[Walks with fire]

BBB,

I use a 50 cal. .495 with 80 grains of Goex and sight to be a little over an inch high at 50 yards which puts it on the money at 75 and about 3" low at 100 yards. I quit using the 6 O'clock hold this year so I just hold high behind the shoulder for 100 yard shot. Beyond 100 I don't shoot and only would take the 100 yard shot with a solid rest and sight picture.

 

[J.D.]

Everyone recommends a 50 yard zero, and that is good.

I would, however, work up the most accurate load at 50 yards and then begin shooting at longer ranges.

I have shot as far as 250 yards off hand and did get a few hits on a rather large gong.

Hitting 14-16 inch gongs at 125-150 yards, off hand, is not all that difficult, and will build confidence for shots at not only longer ranges, but short ranges as well.

That said, I have never taken any game beyond about 60 yards with a ML, but shooting at long ranges has improved my abilities to judge range and hit what I'm shooting at...for the most part, at unknown ranges. :winking:

J.D.