How far will a muzzleloader shoot?

Answer 1

Anwer The typical muzzleloader will accurately shoot about 150 yards. For hunting, I would not fire at a game more than 100 yards or closer, if possible. The older guns such as the Brown Bess fired a .69 caliber round ball that was veryinaccurate---so much that the gun didn't have sights. The round ball developes extreme aerodynamic drag as it goes through the air so this means it slows down much faster. It means that the shooter has to aim higher than the target. Muzzleloaders that have rifling, such as the Pennyslvania/Kentucky Rifle, imparts a spin to the ball and this makes it go farther and more accurately. Modern mozzle loaders fire synthetic powder and connical bullets set in a sabot. These guns may shoot at longer range. There were target rifles made that were used by military snipers and professional shooters that could shoot much further. I think there is a report of a Civil War sniper who shot someone at 1 mile (1760 Yards) range. Longer shots were made but the percentage that scored a hit was small.