Muzzle Loader or Shotgun

[turkeyhntr]

If you had a farm and could only use a muzzleloader or shotgun on it...what would you pack...I like my ML but only one shot...I hate to put the money into a shotgun/slug gun if it is not going to be as good as the ol ML....Any suggestions and experiences with the the Shotgun?

[Docknboatlift]

If you do the job right, one shot is all you need either way.

Shotguns kill a whole lot of deer every year. Muzzleloaders do too, but I'm guessing not as many are used. Both the range and accuracy of a shotgun and muzzleloader are similar. A shotgun has a whole lot more uses than a muzzleloader.

Explain to me the problem of having one more gun in the gun closet? Is there such a thing as too many?

I would get the shotgun myself. Of course that would leave you out in the cold (or inside in the warmth) during muzzleloader season.

[turkeyhntr]

I have a pursuit by traditions....hopefully will not have to worry about buck tag ....but big deer are not moving right with all this food...right for me anyways

[LittleJohn]

If the gun is going to be use just for deer hunting and the Inline ML and a scope can be use then I would go with the ML. To me the first shot at a deer with any gun is the importance. Where the ML will reach out up to 200 yds. or more and a good shot with the shotgun I would think around 125 yds. You may killed one farther but this would be consistant long shot.

[AAAJohn]

Most states will let you use a smokepole in place of the shotgun, but won't let the shotgun replace the smokepole in muzzleloader season.

[Hammer]

you can hunt more seasons in kentucky with the muzzleloader if you can just have 1 gun.

[Docknboatlift]

you can hunt more seasons in kentucky with the muzzleloader if you can just have 1 gun.

For deer that's entirely true.

But for pheasant, quail, ducks, geese, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, squirrels, rabbits, coon, possum, burglers, all around back of the truck for whatever you come across that might need killin, and general purpose around the house for if the mood strikes ya kind of shootin, the shotgun has no rival.

[AMR40509]

for whatever you come across that might need killin, and general purpose around the house for if the mood strikes ya kind of shootin, the shotgun has no rival.

Well said :)

[pb]

Well said :)

For deer that's entirely true.

But for pheasant, quail, ducks, geese, coyotes, bobcats, snakes, squirrels, rabbits, coon, possum, burglers, all around back of the truck for whatever you come across that might need killin, and general purpose around the house for if the mood strikes ya kind of shootin, the shotgun has no rival.

Very well said, and if you buy a Mossberg 500 you can also get a muzzleloader barrel for it.

[Gobblergetter2.1]

Depends. For deer- Inline muzzeloader, one shot is all you need with a 250 + grain bullet when put in the right spot. Plus, the muzzeloader is alot more accurate IMO.

[turkeyhntr]

I only have two muzzleloaders and about 10 shotguns....I just have not had any experience with shotgun slugs....I have a farm that the landowner will not allow the use of high power rifles....so I am wondering for those who have tried both what they are more happy with.....I know when I was younger a shotgun target with a slug was a five gallon lid top.....with a muzzleloader 100 yard shot is easy....but maybe shotguns have improved as much as muzzle loaders

[Remington12]

Please try some of the saboted shotgun loads out there. I have used the Winchester with good results. You may only need a rifled choke to improve the accuracy.

[Rag-Tag]

In the new KY game and fish there is a double barrel ML. I haven't read all of these replys but saw onw where single vs multiple shots was a factor.

[Hoosier5]

I use both shotgun slug & muzzle loader here in Indiana, due to the fact we can't use centerfire rifles for deer here. My shotgun is a Browning Gold Deer Hunter in 20 gauge and it has a rifled barrel + Scope; accurate with both Lightfields hybreds & Remington "Buckhammers". My Muzzle Loader is a T/C Black Diamond in .50 cal. and I use .452" Hornady 250 grain XTP bullets with Triple "7" FG 90 grains (Volume) fired by a 209 shotgun primer. I have a T/C peep sight on this M/L.