How Far?

[Roosterman]

I've got a '76 from Taylor in 45/60. Once I get the load wrung out, at what distance can I hunt deer size game? Open sights? Tang sight?  I've never had a blackpowder cartridge gun before, so this is all new territory for me.

[Deadeye Don]

The 1876 is a blackpowder gun?      Lets start that smokeless v.  BP thread up again.

[Joe Lansing]

    With a 45-60, if  you can hit where you want to, you can kill it. The trick is to hit it where you want to. The rainbow trajectory is your enemy. My solution is a folding leaf open sight zeroed for 50 yds., and a tang sight set for 100 yds.  Depending on the country, you can sight in the at the best ranges for your need with the two sights. After that, it's practice, practice, and more practice.

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[Deadeye Don]

Probably best not to PRACTICE on live animals though.   

[Roosterman]

Should I figure this is a 300 yard gun at the silhouette range? 500 yard? 800 yard?

[Harve Curry]

Roosterman,
Joe Lansing gives you good advice. On deer my limit seems to be about 175 yards, they just look so small behind those iron sights. I taped my sight ups and hold diagram to the stock out to 300 yards. How good can you see and group is part of it. Practice on paper at known distances and coyotes
, Bill Weddle

[Delmonico]

Have someone set up some regular size paper plates for you at distances known to them but not you, the furthest distance you can hit a plate each and every time from a field position is your max for that position.  Works well with smokeless rifles in the newest and greatest whix-bang round as well.