ORIGINAL: snowman69
Anyways what I am trying to get is when it comes to modern muzzleloaders the range of them keeps increasing and to me it seems that if I wanted to hunt with something can take down a deer out to 200-250yrds I would use my rifle. When I think of going hunting with a muzzleloader I think of getting close not as close as hunting with a bow but within 75yrdsand less at most 100yrds with open sights andwearing my buckskins and coyote fur hat and charcol on my face.
Please remember that I am not trying to pi$$ anyone of or offend anybody, I was just curious what everyones views are.
While I understand and can even commend your position of wanting to do things the old way, with the older technology of the cap or flintlock rifles, there is nothing wrong with another person wanting to use the more modern technology. This is a personal decision only the hunter can make in accordance to the laws of the State.
If the State feels that inline rifles should be allowed, they do so. If they want sabots allowed, they permit those projectiles as well. Many States restrict caliber requirements andfor instance do not allow optics. It is up to the State to set the requirements of what is considered a legal
muzzleloader. What it all boils down to is, even the inline rifles are muzzleloaders still.
I think you will see many States (and some already are) restrict certain muzzleloaders, projectiles, and powdersfrom the playing field if you may. My attitude is, if it is legal in the State, then the hunter has to make their own choice of which weapon best suits their needs.
Personally I have no desire to put on buckskins and charcoal my face to hunt like my forefathers although I can see the appeal. If today I want to shoot and hunt with an inline rifle, then I carry that. If instead I want a cap or flintlock, I arm myself with that. You could even see me in the woods with a smoothbore rifle. All of them are legal in my State. Still, I would never criticize or think less of someone who joins me in the huntand who carries a Omega for instance or a LT Pursuit. I am not out there competing with the next guyor trying to convince someone that I am a superior hunter because I use older technology. I am only being me, and doing what brings me the greatest enjoyment.