200 yards IS excessive! Also, are you certain that sabots, pelletized powder and a scope are legal where you hunt? They're not in all areas.

With that setup I would probably expect 150 yard effective range or thereabouts. Of course, it depends on how well you can shoot!

If you haven't read it already, the "Muzzleloader Hunting: A Beginners Guide" on this website is very good.

It's legal in NJ, not much else is though.
just wondering about the range..most shots here are under 100 yards..
thanx

DonMillion is right, with modern projectile, the right barrel and practice, 150 yards is a practical ML hunting range. These same guns are capable of killing deer at 200 yards but if you look at the trajectory curve, a gun zeroed at 100 yards, the bullet is dropping pretty fast after 150 yards, and unless you know the exact range and how your gun shoots at that range your risk a miss, or even worse you might just wound your deer. Few people can accuratel judge distance much past the 100 to 150 yard range which just adds to the problem.

Here's my "test" method to find my pratical hunting range, and it can be fun too. I like to go out, in the field, where it is safe to shoot, and place multiple 1 gallon milk jugs, full of water, at various locations, and ranges. I purposely don't measure the range to simulate hunting. Then I start shooting, the range at which I can consistantly hit the jug is my max range. I try to make it as realistic as possible, so I try different shooting positions, and use my hunting load. I hunt in a state that doesn't allow scopes, and a milk jug at 150 yards with open sites is a tough shot. No way would I attempt it at 200 yards.

If you do this be sure to clean up, and I use milk full jugs of water because they are about the same size of a deer's kill zone, and it's fun instant feed back when you hit one.

Welcom to the sport, and have run.

I own the exact same gun. I have found that mine shoots alot more accurately if I have a heavy bullet. the best I have found is the Barnes expander-mz. I use pyrodex pellets with one hundered grains. I think with a scope that and alot of practice that you could kill a deer at two hundred. but of course if their is any dout about it. Get Closer!!! I have shot five deer and two elk and they all have gone less that fifty yards after being hit. from 25 yards to about 140. I try to tell everyone I can about how effective that bullet is. and the gun is awsome also!!!