Im not sure about Illinois, but here in Indiana you cant shoot sabots out of a 45 cal ml. The minimum bullet diameter is .44 inches here. I would go with a 50 anyway because they can do anything a 45 can as good or better.

i dug a little into regs, and yes, the smallest bullet dia is .44 from a muzzy, so i guess the .45 is out unless im shootin powerbelts or conicals.

Anyone have experience with the CVA Optima?
Good/bad/ugly?

MAt

(Click Here) NEF Sidekick 50 wood $159

I picked up a T/C Omega last year, great gun. Omega with 777 pellets and Precision Dead Center bullets very easy to keep clean and very accurate. my 2 cents worth.

the brand you get will be a personal preference. Research it on the net and in mags. I would, however, suggest that what ever brand you get, have it be a breech action (or "rolling block" type). They are very simple and easy to clean.

ps - I have a Rossi (basically the same as an NEF) and love ot