Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

I am purchasing my first muzzleloader this year for whitetail and I'm curious if any of you prefer a black powder rifle or shotgun/slug gun? Why one over the other? Here in Ohio we have 9 days Gun season (which can be shotgun or muzzleloader) and 4 days of just muzzleloader. There also is a 5 day period which certain areas in the state have open muzzleloader season.

I know some sit in stands and others drive the deer so some situations would be different but if you only had to choose one which would it be?

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

once you get behind that muzzleloader and just shoot one time you will be hooked trust me. i fell in love with mine and i will use it to drop them deer every time. but here in illinois we can use muzzleloader during the shotgun seasons. yea you get one shot but the are accurate

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

I like hunting with a muzzleloader. The kick on my omega is a lot less than my slug gun. The effective range is close to the same with both. And I just enjoy muzzleloader hunting.

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

I'm in Ohio too and I much prefer my muzzleloader. That being said, I have a very inexpensive ML that shoots great and is very accurate, but a pain in the rear if it is raining cats and dogs. So if it's regular gun season and anything more than a light rain, I take the shotgun. Otherwise, the ML gets to go with me.

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

I prefer the muzzleloader. It is just easier to hit at longer distances with the ML, and I have not found it to be a disadvantage to have one shot.

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

Fly...Welcome to the forum!!!

You might want to post this in the Blackpowder Forum as well, quite a few muzzleloaders on here...

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

I travel from arkansas every year to hunt with my cousin in jefferson and carroll counties in ohio. I use my muzzleloader when i go. My cousin is always trying to get me to use one of his shotguns, but i always decline. I am use to my smokepole not his shotguns. Oh by the way love those big deer running around up there.

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

muzzle loader
I love shooting them

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

Muzzleloader, I can't use my shotgun during our ML season, but I can use the ML in both seasons. I don't own a slug gun, and don't really want one since my pump shoots fosters just fine.

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

Unless you plan on cross dressing the shotgun for Bird hunting or Waterfowl hunting,
I would go with the Muzzle loader... Seeing you have a longer season.
Plus it only takes one well placed shot to make a clean kill!;)
I also have the option here and I most always take my muzzle loader.
It happens to shoot better groups @ 100 yards than my .270, go figure?!!
On top I have a 2X7 Leupold VXII.
It is the first Knight 50 cal. "disc" muzzle loader

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

Mossberg 500 with an extra Rifled and Muzzle Loader barrel, which you can buy each for under $100 will let you shoot, Shot, Smooth Barrel Slugs, Sabots and Black Powder ammo.

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

My CVA shoots better, with far less recoil than my Moss 500. This will be my first year with the ML, so I can't give you any results. But I don't foresee to many problems in having more range and better accuracy.:D

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

wow, I guess Muzzleloader is the way to go for most. I have my eye on a T/C Triumph but I don't have enough pennies for it yet. I guess I'll leave my goose barrel on my Remy 870 for now. Thanks for everyone who has chimed in so far.

RE: Muzzleloader or Shotgun/Slug gun. Which do u prefer? Why?
 

My opinion and my opinion only I personally have no use for a shotgun for deer, assuming your are talking buck shot. Works great for home defense, but I don't care for it for deer hunting.

After owning both slug guns and muzzle loaders my preference is for the modern inline muzzle loader. The ease of use is much better for the slug gun and the newer loads are very good, very close to some large bore centerfires or magnum muzzle loaders. On the down side the shells are EXPENSIVE.

In my experience the muzzle loader once you get everything you need is cheaper to shoot and can be easier to get accurate at longer distances. It's much easier to tailor a load since you are basically hand loading every shot.

Slug guns can be fairly easier to get accurate at 100 yards if you experiment enough with different ammo, but that gets expensive fast if you don't find what works right away. We are talking 10-15 dollars or more per 5 rounds. If you have one that shoots well out to 150 yards consider yourself lucky. If you have one that shoots well out to 200 you would have to prove it to me.

However it's not uncommon with little work to get a muzzle loader to shoot fairly well out to 200 yards. Just remember that just because it can hold a butt load of powder you don't have to use that much. Most magnum muzzle loaders are actually more accurate with less than 150 grns of powder.

And in most places the muzzle loader is going to extend your hunting season.

And if you live in a state where you can use rifles the Savage that lets you shoot smokeless powder is awesome.

Paul