I bought both pellets and loose RS to try out in my CVA when I got it back the first of the year. Boxes of pellets and 1 lb cans of loose were both $7 each and my local Walmart at Christmas time. I've ran out of the pellets andI'm getting readyto shoot the looseto see how much difference there is between the two powders in my ML. I like the convience of the pellets....I think they will be easier to use during actual hunting although a little pricey and use the loose for practice. I too will hunt Illinois in Nov-Dec. I'm planning on just unloading my ML at the end of the day. Cleaning the barrel good and reload in the morning before I go out. I've read too many pro vs cons on leaving the gun loaded for more than a day. Some say do, others say not. My gun will be zeroed in on a squeaky clean barrel for that important first shot. Good luck with your powder choice and this fall.