Shotgun or Muzzloader?

[warr0088]

Sweet site! I just found this being familiar with duckhuntingchat.com!

Anyhow, in my hunting area i'm restricted to either shotguns or muzzleloaders. I currently use a 12ga. slug gun with a 3-9x scope, and am thinking of taking the plunge into muzzleloaders for a change.

1. I'm wondering if there are any advantages to either?
2. Will I get better shooting distances out of a muzzleloader?
3. Is one more accurate than the other?

Any advice would be great! I'm very interested in the TC Triumph with a Nikon Omega Muzzloader Scope, looks like a nice package .... I would be using the muzzloader as a slug shotgun replacement ....

Thanks!

[Tony204ing]

You should get a little more distance out of the muzzleloader.As far as accuracy goes.It depends on how well the slugs you shoot are shooting out of your gun.If you are shooting the right combination out of your slug gun and the right combo out of a muzzleloader it shouldnt be to diffrent.

In my earlier days of hunting it was about quanity not quality so a muzzleloader wasnt my 1st choice if i had one.I wanted to be able to have a massacar when able so i would have gone wtih the shotgun.Now days its not uncommon for me to take the muzzleloader over the shotgun.Hunting with one or the other is about the same to me now.However there have been times with a muzzleloader i would have loved to have that second shot.

[Tenpoint]

I have hunted with both, but never had a scope or riffled barrel on my shotgun, so the muzzle loader greatly improves range and accuracy for me.

In general, I think if both shotgun and muzzle loader are set up with good scopes, ammo, and geared for maximum range, the muzzle loader will outrange the shotgun, and accuracy is a bit better (at a give range).

So I would say it depends on the habitat you hunt. Bushwacking? go for the shotgun. Open field? I'd take the muzzle loader.

Tenpoint

[NYBuckhunter]

The ML will definitely shoot longer than the shotgun, but you are limited to one shot. It all depends on how long the majority of your shots are. If most are 125 yards and less, Id go with the shotgun, if most are 80 yards and further, the ML will work better.

[warr0088]

Good advice, thanks for the replys! I hunt a mix of field and bush, and have never required more than one shot to drop a deer. I don't believe in shooting at something without a good clean shot available in the first place - I always still hunt, and wait for that right shot.

Guess it comes down to personal preference more than anything else. I can see arguments for both sides. Those of you who use muzzleloaders, is there a lot of maintenance required to keep them clean with the modern day technologies out there?

[Tenpoint]

Giving them a couple runs through with a wet and dry patch in between shots helps maintain accuracy, especially if you are doing lots of shooting, like when you sight it in. Although this is not absolutely necesary when making a quick follow up shot in the field.

Removing the breech plug for cleaning should also be done ocassionally. However, this is pretty simple, and with many guns, you don't need any special tools.

Otherwise, the manitanence is similar to any other gun.

Tenpoint