Ok, here is my situation. I have finally saved enough money to buy a rifle, muzzleloader, etc. I have $1100 total to spend and my WIFE'S permission which is the most important, to buy a gun.

Here's what I'm looking at:

I can get a used browing 30-06 with a Leupold scope, stage 3, that is my buddies, he wants $950 for it. I have shot it, the gun the scope are mint. This gun shoots awesome, one shot put it away it's dead balls on. I used it last season and fell in love with it. I went to gunbroker.com and they say the gun is worth $1100.

Or- Do I get a muzzleloader, I'm looking at the Tompson Center Encore or the CVA Accura, I will get a scope for it. This choice extends my gun deer hunting. I know living in WI you can't use a scope unless it's 1 power, but during Regular gun deer season I can, just muzzleloader season I can't.

I'm suppose to go out west next year to Wyoming and Elk hunt. If I draw a tag, we are party hunting and have alot of preference points so we should be getting one soon. No quarantee though.

My question is this: would you go with the rifle, or go with the muzzleloader for less money and use the remaing on hunting gear and taking the wife out for dinner. At what effective range will the muzzleloader shoot, my neighbor says I will need to be able to shoot out to 300 yards. That seems far too me.

Thank you for all your input