12 gauge vs. Pro Hunter .50 cal

[deroche117]

Which one do you guys think is better for a deer stand gun, a 12 gauge slug gun shooting sabots through a rifled barrel or a muzzleloader like the .50 cal Pro Hunter? What are the advantages/disadvantages to both? Maximum range needed with be 100 yds or less

[oldelkhunter]

My white muzzleloader shot 50 cal conicals better then any shotgun shooting slugs. I think most muzzleloaders are more accurate they just don't have the followup shot.

[Old/New]

I have a PH with a 20ga rifled slug barrel and a 50 cal BP barrel. If you're interested in thr PH you can have both. If economics area more of a concern and you want just one gun then pick one. They are both effective deer guns but the black powder gun will reach outfurther and hit harder at an extended range.

[deroche117]

Thanks for the offer Old/New, but I already have the PH .50 cal BP barrel and was contemplating getting the PH 12g 28" rifled slug barrel but I don't know if I should bother if the .50 cal is better-

[oldsmellhound]

I'm partial to muzzleloaders myself, but here's my opinion on the advantages/disadantages:

.50 cal ML

Advantages: Most of the time more accurate than a 12 gauge slug gun, even if the 12 has a rifled barrel
Less recoil
Cheaper to shoot (over the long run)
More fun (in my opinion)
A much wider variety of bullets to choose from (many various saboted rounds, conicals, etc.)
Better deer killing power with the right load - my experience has been with a proper load & bullet,
deer tend to drop instantly with a well-placed shot

Disadvantages: You only have 1 shot
Longer time to reload

If you were doing a lot of deer drives, I would lean towards the 12 gauge - you'll have the option of fast follow-up shots which you might need.

However, since you said it would be a deer stand gun, I think the .50 ML is the better choice.

[Old/New]

ORIGINAL: deroche117

Thanks for the offer Old/New, but I already have the PH .50 cal BP barrel and was contemplating getting the PH 12g 28" rifled slug barrel but I don't know if I should bother if the .50 cal is better-

Sorry about my poorly worded response. I wasn't offering my PH. Just mentioning I have and use both the slug barrel and the ML barrel.

I agree with oldsmellhound...although slow for a follow up shot, the ML is just better balistically most of the time.

[glockman55]

I'd use my Encore 50 cal. over my 12 ga. any day..