im thinking about getting into muzzleloading flintlock hunting to be exact. I have one small problem though I am small in stature and due to having a disability I can not take punishing recoil. I was wondering if a muzzleloader is still a option for me or if that takes it out of the equation. I was wondering if a 45 caliber recoils lighter than a 50 i know powder charge plays the whole part in recoil but i was just wondering in general if 45's are less punishing than a 50cal. Here in PA we are limited to flintlock only for our general muzzleloading season. I was thinking about looking for something in the carbine design and maybe throwing a sims limbsaver on it. I'm not sure on brand or anything yet muzzleloading just sparked me as being very intreging and seems like something that would be a blast. If you guys can help me out i'd appreciate it.

I personally would look at a .54 caliber that shoots roundball. They recoil is not all that brutal because of the large caliber. If you went with something like a Lyman Deerstalker or Trade Rifle, they are not all that long. The beauty of a muzzleloader is you can load them down, still keep them accurate, and lower the recoil at the same time. Granted you might have to adjust your range you are willing to shoot, but even a .54 caliber roundball because of its mass, with a even 60 grains of powder should be lethal out to 75 yards, because of the large ball, while at the same time not beat you up.

Try and get to a range and see if someone has a muzzleloader. Ask them if you can shoot it with 60 grains and a roundball or ballet. I think the recoil will not bother you. My eight year old nephew shoots a rifle like that all the time.