I only own 1 ML right now, and it is a .45. Why? Because everyone and their grandma has a .50 and I wanted to be different when I got into muzzleloading. Is it superior to a .50? Not really. The only 2 advantages I've been able to determine are:

1. Can shoot light bullets at a higher velocity than a .50 with less powder. Is the velocity enough to make a big difference? Probably not, at least for most people.

2. A .45 can shoot .355 - .358 caliber bullets. Not many people do, but for special applications (small game, light-recoiling loads for kids, etc.) it can be useful.

3. A .45 is going to shoot conicals and Powerbelts flatter at long range because of a better BC. So for those limited to (or choose) conicals or Powerbelts, the .45 is a better choice if you're shooting long ranges.

Am I weathly? Heck no- right now I'm back in school after a 12 year hiatus & only have a part-time job- so right now I'm "student poor" and living in the big city, which means I rarely get to shoot. I'm really looking forward to the day in about 13 months when I graduate and (hopefully) get a job right away so I can shoot more and buy a couple more ML's