Long-range muzzleloading

Modern muzzleloaders are highly accurate at long distances

The big buck appeared, stepping out of the woods at 285 yards. Much too far for a muzzleloading rifle. Or it used to be, anyway. Lowering the gun on his shooting sticks, setting the reticle of his scope on the buck’s shoulder, the hunter eased on the 2.5-pound trigger. And when the smoke cleared, the buck lay right where it stood only seconds earlier.

Rifle hunters know that accuracy is everything. From the days when they hunted for their next meal to today, when we are chasing bigger and faster game with our muzzleloaders. We all want to get the most out of our rifles and with that involves reaching longer distances than ever. The old days of “under 100 yards” are long gone and we are seeing effective shots well beyond what was once thought possible

In 1985, Tony Knight revolutionized the world of muzzleloading rifles when it invented the inline ignition system. In doing this, the modern muzzleloading era began, and it has been a boom ever since.

Since that time, everything has changed, from the ignition systems to the stocks, barrels, triggers, and ramrods. You name it, and it has been changed, upgraded, and improved.

After Tony Knight began that revolution, no other company has led the way more than CVA when it comes to ingenuity, accuracy, and efficiency in the modern muzzleloader. With the improvement of the Accura and the introduction of their Paramount rifle, no other company has been able to achieve the long range accuracy or consistency that CVA has.

While the Accura is capable of shots as described above, the Paramount has totally changed the game. Basically, the Paramount is a magnum muzzleloader. With its redesigned ignition system, the Paramount can withstand magnum loads that were not possible in other muzzleloading rifles.

The numbers

Here is some data to compare, using the standard .50 caliber as a benchmark. A standard .50 caliber muzzleloading rifle can and often does use either 100 grains or 150 grains by volume to shoot. However,  the Paramount has a maximum powder charge of 170 grains by volume. This extra 20 grains is enough to push bullets farther down range.

While testing these .50 caliber muzzleloaders at the Talladega Marksmanship course in Alabama, shooters were consistently hitting steel targets out to 400 yards. After some studying the wind and adjusting the scopes, they hit steel targets at 600 yards.

Things really got interesting when they switched to a lower caliber. The Paramount comes in the standard .50 caliber as well as both a .45 caliber and a .40 caliber. (Check your local game laws to see if these are legal in your area).

The .45 caliber uses a maximum powder charge of 160 grains by volume (112 by weight) and the .40 uses 150 grains by volume (105 by weight) respectively. Both lower calibers are more than enough for even the biggest game. In the opening of this story, the hunter was shooting a .45 caliber.

How are they able to achieve these magnum loads? The proprietary ignition system is central to the advancement. Improving the VariFlame ignition, these Paramount rifles do not use the standard .209 shotshell primer for its ignition source. Rather, they determined that using a large rifle primer gives the exact amount of ignition necessary to get things rolling down the pipe.

With a rotating locking bolt, the VariFlame is locked into place and that enables it to withstand the pressures generated. The other key component is the use of Blackhorn 209 powder as the propellant. Many hunters balk at using loose powder for the convenience of the pellets by Pyrodex and others. And there is no arguing that dropping pellets down your barrel is more convenient. But to achieve maximum accuracy and long range performance, loose powder is a must.

Optimal performance

Blackhorn 209 powder enables you to get within a grain or two of the exact loads each time. And that keeps your bullets hitting your targets well beyond what was once thought possible.

Again, at the Talladega Marksman course, shooters with the .45 caliber Paramount using 98 grains by weight hit targets out to 800 yards consistently. Is there enough energy to kill at 800 yards? Well since the rifle is pushing a 235 grain bullet at speeds that are equivalent to a .308 Winchester, most definitely.

Many hunters and shooters will opt for the maximum load in their rifles, which in most cases is 170 grains (119 by weight) in a .50 caliber rifle. However, while it will shoot it, it is not going to perform at its best at those charges. For example, your truck may run 120 miles an hour, but it performs best at 70. The same is true for your muzzleloading rifle. It may shoot 170 grains, but the most optimal performance is achieved at much lower levels.

Recent testing with a .45 caliber Paramount determined that 88 grains by weight was the sweet spot and enabled a 200-yard zero and sub MOA groups.

With these advancements, the modern muzzleloader is no longer primitive. It is a well-designed long range rifle capable of efficiency and accuracy never thought possible previously. Getting the most from your muzzleloader is not as difficult as it may seem. Does it take some time? Yes. Will it make you a better hunter and shooter? Absolutely.

As hunters and shooters, we owe it to ourselves and to the animals we pursue to get the most possible from our rifles. It builds confidence in our rifles, and our abilities. When it matters most, we know it will get the job done.

Weigh, don’t measure

When it comes to getting the most accuracy out of your rifle, consider weighing your powder rather than measuring it. Using a reloader’s powder dispenser such as a RCBS, getting consistent charges is possible. And it aids in making your shots more accurate. By taking multiple charges to the range and testing, you can find the exact one that suits your rifle best.

Recent testing, I took three powder charges of 7 different measurements to the range to find the best ones for my rifle. Powder charges weighed from 86 grains by weight all the way to 98 grains. Testing all of them showed me that the best for my rifle was the 88-grain charge. It gave me the most consistent grouping providing sub MOA groups at 100 yards and MOA at 200 yards.

Weighing your powder ahead of time and having reloading tubes on you when hunting removes some of the fumbling and frustration of shooting loose powder. And one more thing, Blackhorn 209 is noncorrosive, so you do not need to unload your rifle between hunts. Simply remove the primer and keep it loaded until you are ready to use it.