Where to sight in my muzzleloader?

[Farmingdales Finest]

I tried to go to Colliers Mills after the Toys for Tots 3D shoot at Gardens State archers this morning so I could sight in my new Optima muzzleloader.  Every bench was full with 4 guys there saying they had been waiting for the people shooting for 1/2 an hour at that point. I had a nonshooter with me and it sounded like I would have had to wait on line for at least an hour or more before even starting to sight it in and felt that was too long for him to wait on me.

I live in Highlands where else can I sight in my rifle?  I know there and Clinton which is over and hour away too.  Is there anyplace closer?

Edited November 19, 2023 by Farmingdales Finest

[Lunatic]

Hate to say it but you waited too long. You are a week away from the opener so any public placed will be busy. If an option try early during the week. 

[BHC]

If you use any public range go during the week

[Farmingdales Finest]

22 minutes ago, Lunatic said:

Hate to say it but you waited too long. You are a week away from the opener so any public placed will be busy. If an option try early during the week. 

It's not that I waited it's I haven't used a firearm since 1991. I have exclusively bowhunted since then but I won the muzzleloader at the Central Jersey Limb hanger  dinner last month. I had to take my firearm safety course because I wasn't in the system because I bought my original firearm license out of state and used the previous license for my next but wanted to use it in the Monmouth County parks and I have to present my hunters ed card every year. Then had to buy the scope, ammo, case, cleaning stuff etc. which brought me to last weekend before I could go. 

I am going to have to take a morning off from work it looks like and go one day this week to get it done.

Edited November 19, 2023 by Farmingdales Finest

[Lunatic]

10 minutes ago, Farmingdales Finest said:

It's not that I waited it's I haven't used a firearm since 1991. I have exclusively bowhunted since then but I won the muzzleloader at the Central Jersey Limb hanger  dinner last month. I had to take my firearm safety course because I wasn't in the system because I bought my original firearm license out of state and used the previous license for my next but wanted to use it in the Monmouth County parks and I have to present my hunters ed card every year. Then had to buy the scope, ammo, case cleaning stuff etc. which brought me to last weekend before I could go. 

I am going to have to take a morning off from work it looks like and go one day this week to get it done.

As an incentive, I killed my biggest buck on muzzy opeining day during a major northeastern 

PS I went to sight my muzzy yesterday, on private land, and after 4 shots I realized I mounted the scope turned 90 degrees to the leff, my vertices adjustment was on the left and left/right adjustment on top I’ll have to finish next weekend 

Edited November 19, 2023 by Lunatic

[smittty]

Some times it take a few trips to get everything right bring different types of sabots bullets as some guns are very finicky. I just got done playing with one of those finicky ones. I had many range days before I found something that the gun would shoot I wound up going with bullet to bore 

Edited November 19, 2023 by smittty

[Farmingdales Finest]

2 minutes ago, smittty said:

Some times it take a few trips to get everything right bring different types of sabots bullets as some guns are very finicky. I just got done play with one of those finicky ones. I had many rage days before I found something that the gun would shoot I wound up going with bullet to bore 

If what I have doesn't group I am just going to use my bow for 6 day and call it a year and regroup for next season.

[Dominant buck]

I went once on a weekend,  never again.   I'll hit up colliers mill during the week to verify all still on with the gun, I'll take a half day from work. 

Edited November 19, 2023 by Dominant buck

[electric10162]

Was just there on Thursday 3pm. One guy leaving as we walked in. My Buddy took 4 shots. By 3:20 there was 3 adults and four kids ready to shoot.

[smittty]

There is fort dix. Pay once and you good for the year

[Farmingdales Finest]

19 minutes ago, smittty said:

There is fort dix. Pay once and you good for the year

What does it cost and how crowded does it get because that is even farther for me.

[mazzgolf]

I just got home from checking my muzzy at Telco - had the 100 yard range to myself for 2 hours  It takes a while to zero in a muzzleloader - in fact, I'm learning to hate it  It doesn't surprise me there's a crowd on public ranges this time of year.

I thought I had mine dialed in, but I shot it last week and the weirdest thing - I shot two flyers that missed the paper completely. I think I screwed up my scope settings. So I had to go back today. Took something like 8 shots today (cleaning the barrel between each one to mimic the conditions I'll be hunting with) and it took me about 2 hours.  At least I think I'm back on now. And I'll make sure never to touch my scope dials again  

[Devil Horns]

There is a range at Stafford Forge WMA. 

[Jcol6268]

1 hour ago, BHC said:

If you use any public range go during the week

That doesn't matter any more. Especially since they began to allow center fire rifles. Especially this close to season. Will probably be waiting unless you get there early before shooting time. 

[Buckmaster3405]

I went to colliers tuesday morning 

.one guy there..i nevrr go on the weekends