Originally Posted by
SuperKirby
New year, new hunting season. Time to start planning for a new season.
I really hope to focus more on the hunt, not just what I'm hunting with. I've been working a ton of hours this fall and winter and hoping to make a "big" purchase this spring. Problem is I'm torn on what route to go.
1) Smokeless barrel on the Encore frame - had one of these before, sold it for medical bills. I can honestly say I didn't enjoy shooting it quite as much, but did get to shoot it more often because it didn't have to be cleaned.
2) Build a kit. Something from TOW or Pecatonica. Something I've wanted to do for awhile but honestly don't know if I have that much skill or not.
3) Some sort of inline. My only interest at the moment would be an Ultra Lite, but nowhere around has one I can shoulder. The last muzzleloader I bought without shouldering first didn't quite fit me and I was real disappointed.
4) I have a Contender with .45 barrel. I like the size of it but haven't hunted with it. Maybe just use this?
5) Put down my muzzleloaders for a couple years and buy a bow and required accessories.
Well if it were me....
1. Absolutely not. As far as I'm concerned it's outright BLASPHEMY to use a smokeless powder muzzleloader.
2. That would be an option, I'm sure I'm skilled enough, just not sure I would want to devote the time involved (at least for now).
3. Nope...not even interested.
4. Another option. I have a Contender with a 7-30 Waters barrel and I have Vaquero in .45 LC with dies so I have pondered getting a .45 barrel for the Contender for awhile.
5. I've bowhunted since the seventies. Had to go with a crossbow in recent years due to physical limitations (it sucks getting old) and although I still enjoy hunting the archery season with it, it just doesn't feel like I'm bowhunting. Feels too much like I'm using a firearm. I shot my buck this year with it but to be honest, I would have enjoyed it more had I got him with a flintlock. And...I could NEVER put down my muzzleloaders for a couple of years!
BPS