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shotgun or muzzleloader
ok if you had never shot a muzzleloader before and planed to buy either a muzzleloader or sluggun in may or june and would have 4 months to get to know the muzzleloader and had a mossberg 500 smoothbore
and could use the sluggun from nov 17th to dec second or the muzzleloader from nov 17thto dec 23 which is 3 more weeks would you buy a muzzleloader or a slug gun also what are the pros and cons to each and dmax yardages of each |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
I have never shot a slug gun although I have fired slugs from a smoothbore and have put many many bullets downrange from a muzzleloader. Being from PA I have 4 or 5 flintlocks, a sidelock percussion and an inline. The difference between a smoothbore shotgun with slugs and a muzzleloader is like night and day. The muzzleloader will give you much more accuracy and distance. As I replied to your other post check your game laws before purchasing a muzzleloader to be sure you get one that is legal in your state and the states you may intend to hunt are worth checking too. The most difference between states I have found is not so much the type of rifle but the type of bullets allowed and the type of sights. Of course if your state does not allow a sabotted bullet then I would not be looking for an inline as these are designed for sabots.
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RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
as far as i know i will double check indiana does not have any restrtion as to what muzzleloader or bulelt you can usei know the sabots for slug guns are 2 dollars to 3 or even 4 each
ORIGINAL: PA RIDGE RUNNER I have never shot a slug gun although I have fired slugs from a smoothbore and have put many many bullets downrange from a muzzleloader. Being from PA I have 4 or 5 flintlocks, a sidelock percussion and an inline. The difference between a smoothbore shotgun with slugs and a muzzleloader is like night and day. The muzzleloader will give you much more accuracy and distance. As I replied to your other post check your game laws before purchasing a muzzleloader to be sure you get one that is legal in your state and the states you may intend to hunt are worth checking too. The most difference between states I have found is not so much the type of rifle but the type of bullets allowed and the type of sights. Of course if your state does not allow a sabotted bullet then I would not be looking for an inline as these are designed for sabots. |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
here are indiana gun hunting laws
what type of muzzeloader or slug gun should i use Legal Firearms Shotguns, handguns, rifles with pistol cartridges, muzzleloading long guns and muzzleloading handguns are legal during the firearms season. Only muzzleloading firearms are legal during the muzzleloader season. Hunters may carry more than one type of legal firearm when hunting during the firearms season only. Shotguns must be 10-, 12-, 16- or 20-gauge or .410 bore loaded with slugs or saboted bullets. Rifled slug barrels are permitted. Combination rifle-shotguns are not allowed. Muzzleloading firearms must be .44 caliber or larger loaded with a single bullet of at least .357 caliber. Saboted bullets are allowed, provided the bullet is .357 caliber or larger. A muzzleloading firearm must be loaded from the muzzle. Multiple-barrel muzzleloading long guns are allowed. Rifles with pistol cartridges that fire a bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger; have a minimum case length of 1.16 inches; and have a maximum case length of 1.625 inches are legal to use only during the deer firearms season. Some cartridges legal for deer hunting include the 357 Magnum, 38-40 Winchester, 41 Magnum, 41 Special, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 44-40 Winchester, 45 Colt, 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 480 Ruger, 50 Action Express, and 500 S&W. Legal Handguns for |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
The obviious answer is both, but if money is the issue, and it always is...
Here in Iowa you can use a ML during shotgun season, but not vice-versa. Therefore, the most "useful" would be a Muzzleloader. We also have no restrictions on bullet type, modern inline, scope, etc., so the ML is quite effective, except for that quick follow-up shot. |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
I DO NOT PLAN ON NEEDING A FOLLOW UP SHOT lol
not sure hoe effective a follow up shot is on a running deer but i am sure alot of you can do it ORIGINAL: USNRETHunter The obviious answer is both, but if money is the issue, and it always is... Here in Iowa you can use a ML during shotgun season, but not vice-versa. Therefore, the most "useful" would be a Muzzleloader. We also have no restrictions on bullet type, modern inline, scope, etc., so the ML is quite effective, except for that quick follow-up shot. |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
ORIGINAL: bigtim6656 I DO NOT PLAN ON NEEDING A FOLLOW UP SHOT lol A good friend of mine shot a nice buck this year.He was walking slowly kind ofquartering away at about 50 yards. He aimed behind the front shoulder into the heart/lung area. He shot and the deer's rear dropped and he started to try and run with his front legs while dragging his rear legs. He shot again and that was all that was needed. My friendnoticed when he got out of his stand that he hit a small1/2 inch or so sapling that deflected the first shot enough to cause a bag first hit. This stuff happens.I personally like having a follow up shot. Haven't had to take a follow up shot yet, but it's nice to know I can if I need to. |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
well i would like to have one the advantage to a semi auto but never saw a semi muzzlelader
ORIGINAL: New York Hunter ORIGINAL: bigtim6656 I DO NOT PLAN ON NEEDING A FOLLOW UP SHOT lol A good friend of mine shot a nice buck this year.He was walking slowly kind ofquartering away at about 50 yards. He aimed behind the front shoulder into the heart/lung area. He shot and the deer's rear dropped and he started to try and run with his front legs while dragging his rear legs. He shot again and that was all that was needed. My friendnoticed when he got out of his stand that he hit a small1/2 inch or so sapling that deflected the first shot enough to cause a bag first hit. This stuff happens.I personally like having a follow up shot. Haven't had to take a follow up shot yet, but it's nice to know I can if I need to. |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
If I was hunting in Indiana, i would get some kind of rifle (lever, break open or semi-auto) chambered for a pistol cartridge, I wouldn't even consider a shotgun or muzzleloader unless you wanted to hunt a muzzleloader-only season as well...
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RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
well i do wont to hunt the muzzleloader season but i have thought about a pistol cal rifle
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RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
ORIGINAL: bigtim6656 well i do wont to hunt the muzzleloader season but i have thought about a pistol cal rifle Reasons: Its hard to find a slug gun with a good trigger (most are regular shotguns with a rifled barrel--you don't need a great trigger on a bird-shooting shotgun) The slug ammo is EXPENSIVE and the recoil is very harsh! I have a lot more faith in a cartridge designed to shoot a bullet thru a rifle or pistol barrel from the beginning rather than a shotgun shell modified to shoot thru a rifled barrel that is kind of a retrofit. Don't get me wrong, slug guns can be deadly, and there are some good ones out there, but I would look for one of the big pistol cartridges (.500 Mag, .480, .460, .454 Casull, etc) in a lever or single-shot (if you are looking to save $$). Some guys in IN are even using AR-15's that shoot .450 Bushmaster, that's a hell of a deer gun there! The muzzleloaders are about the same as pistol cartridge rifles (or maybe better at times) with regards to ballistics, but no follow up shot (not a huge deal to me) and they get dirty fast... |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
i will look into it which would you buy if you could only buy one this year
ORIGINAL: skin290 ORIGINAL: bigtim6656 well i do wont to hunt the muzzleloader season but i have thought about a pistol cal rifle Reasons: Its hard to find a slug gun with a good trigger (most are regular shotguns with a rifled barrel--you don't need a great trigger on a bird-shooting shotgun) The slug ammo is EXPENSIVE and the recoil is very harsh! I have a lot more faith in a cartridge designed to shoot a bullet thru a rifle or pistol barrel from the beginning rather than a shotgun shell modified to shoot thru a rifled barrel that is kind of a retrofit. Don't get me wrong, slug guns can be deadly, and there are some good ones out there, but I would look for one of the big pistol cartridges (.500 Mag, .480, .460, .454 Casull, etc) in a lever or single-shot (if you are looking to save $$). Some guys in IN are even using AR-15's that shoot .450 Bushmaster, that's a hell of a deer gun there! The muzzleloaders are about the same as pistol cartridge rifles (or maybe better at times) with regards to ballistics, but no follow up shot (not a huge deal to me) and they get dirty fast... |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
Do you bowhunt and what are your dates for both Regular (rifle/M-L/shotgun) and Muzzleloader-specific seasons.
In IL, I bowhunt pretty hard from late Oct to 1st gun season (usually around Nov 15th) and to a degree, I am burnt out a bit, and the public and private ground I have access to hunt pretty much goes dead after the first gun season. Our IL muzzleloader season isn't until a week after 2nd gun season, making it around Dec. 11. Since I very rarely see a deer after November, I have no desire to hunt the muzzleloader-only season. If your M/L-only season is early, I would get that first, for sure, as it will work for both seasons just fine. I (personally) would get a pistol caliber rifle eventually, but it would just be for the fun of it, the M/L will work just fine, provided you do your part... |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
bow season oct 1st to jan 6th minus the first day of gun season
modern gun season ca also use a muzzleloader is nov 17 to dec 2 muzzleloader season which is ml only is dec 8th to the dec 23 then bow goes on after then till jan 6th ORIGINAL: skin290 Do you bowhunt and what are your dates for both Regular (rifle/M-L/shotgun) and Muzzleloader-specific seasons. In IL, I bowhunt pretty hard from late Oct to 1st gun season (usually around Nov 15th) and to a degree, I am burnt out a bit, and the public and private ground I have access to hunt pretty much goes dead after the first gun season. Our IL muzzleloader season isn't until a week after 2nd gun season, making it around Dec. 11. Since I very rarely see a deer after November, I have no desire to hunt the muzzleloader-only season. If your M/L-only season is early, I would get that first, for sure, as it will work for both seasons just fine. I (personally) would get a pistol caliber rifle eventually, but it would just be for the fun of it, the M/L will work just fine, provided you do your part... |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
Sounds like IL seasons, I would get the M/L first if you want to hunt the M/L specific season...if you don't, i would get a pistol-chambered rifle...
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RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
i wont to hunt the most time i can when i go rabbit hunting i have noticed something
when i check in i look at the sign in sheet for deer during early bow season not alot of people on the public land alot during gun season but the last three times i went out there are only a few out ow which is ml or bow only so i think as the public land goes it would give me a leg up on hunting the public land during ml only season |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
I agree with USNRETHunter. You need both. How about a Prohunter 209x50 with a rifled slug barrel as well? Don't like too much recoil? Get it in 20 ga and have the barrel ported. A 3.5 lb trigger and you've got a great combo.
Oh...I forgot. Money would definately be an issue. |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
i do not like recoil but being as big as iam i can handle the 12 if i do not put it on my arm did that the first day i shot my new 500 only did it once
ORIGINAL: Old/New I agree with USNRETHunter. You need both. How about a Prohunter 209x50 with a rifled slug barrel as well? Don't like too much recoil? Get it in 20 ga and have the barrel ported. A 3.5 lb trigger and you've got a great combo. Oh...I forgot. Money would definately be an issue. |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
I personally would go with a muzzle loader simply because its a lot more fun to shoot its amazing to see that puff of smoke and that adrenaline rush you get is so amazing
Ryan. |
RE: shotgun or muzzleloader
I've got a Mossberg 500 with a slug barrel. I didn't shoot well at all with the slug barrel and started using the smooth bore. It was better but not good enough. I bought a H&R Ultra Slug Hunter 20 ga this year and love it. Shot as close as1.5 inch groups at 100 yds, and comfortable shooting as far as 150 yds, with theFederal Barnes Expander.I'm just not very impressed with the 500 as a deer gun.
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