Multi-Reticle Scopes For Muzzleloading

IF you have a multi-reticle range finding type of scope on your muzzle loader, you need to spend a little time off the bench trying different loads at ranges out to 200 plus yards in order to be effective.

First of all let's suppose you have one of the Nikon Omega multi-circle scopes on your muzzle loader. Let's suppose you have it sighted in at 100 yards with your favorite powder and saboted bullet load. You are in your tree stand or ground blind etc. with your 3X9 scope set at 3X. You see a nice 11 point buck at 200 yards verified in your range finder. Can you just put the 200 yard circle on the buck and take your shot? YES, you can if you want to MISS. NO, you can't if you want to CONNECT.

These scopes and (I believe) all multi-reticle scopes are designed to work only at the HIGHEST scope power. In the case above you would need to turn the scope from 3X up to 9X to make the shot. It is also critical that your scope is aligned perfectly and NOT canted to Port (L) or Starboard (R) If you will turn your multi-reticle scope with horizontal yardage bars from 3X to 9X while carefully looking through the scope, you will see the variance between the horizontal lines at different scope power settings. You need to do ALL OF YOUR SIGHTING IN  at longer ranges with the scope set on 9X in the case of a 3X9 scope or 10X for a 2.5X10 scope etc. If you have to, tape a note to the scope to remind you. Otherwise your are likely to probably shoot OVER the top of your deer at longer range.

Your point of impact will also vary possibly considerably if you sight in and keep records of all your horizontal bars at different ranges with a particular load and then decide to use a different powder charge and saboted bullet on the advice of a friend opening day. Even bullets of the same weight, say 250 grains and same powder charge, BUT different bullet configuration or make up will NOT group the same. Let's say for example you are sighted in with 2/50 grain Pyrodex Pellets and a Barnes Expander MZ 250 grain saboted bullet and switch to a TC Shockwave 250 grain saboted spitzer load using the same 2 Pyroex pellets. They will likely NOT hit the same point of impact although they will probably be close at 100 yards. At 150 or 200 yards they could be several inches off from each other.

Muzzleloading is a game of consistency ...........consistency in powder type and charge, consistency in bullet and sabot, consistency in seating pressure, whether or not you swab between shots in the field, whether you use one wet and one dry patch between loads or just ram the 2nd bullets down a dirty bore etc.

It has more to do with consistency than choosing clean bore (vs.) dirty bore etc.,,,,,,,,,,,at least in my experience.

Dan