shotguns vs muzzleloaders for deer

[zackyholdem]

everytime i watch some hunting show on tv they say that the muzzleloader is a superior weapon to the shotgun for deer hunting in non-rifle states, i think this statement is just ludacris, i have hunted deer in MI with shotguns and ML's for over 15yrs and by far the shotgun is a superior weapon.for example...

take the hornady sst bullet for example i've found that the majority of ML hunters shoot between 100-120grs of powder and either a 250-300gr bullet and with that kind of charge and bullet weight they are getting velocities between 1700-1900 fps, that same 300 gr bullet in a 12ga load gets slightly over 2000 fps. that is the same exact bullet with better velocity, trajectory, energy and accuracy (at least equal accuracy) out of the shotgun compared to the ML, not mention 5 shots available instead of one with the ML and all the tedious cleaning associated with ML

so why do people swear that muzzleloaders are the best choice for non rifle states, am i the only one who thinks this way?

 

[303tom]

Six of one, half dozen of the other if you ask me & I to use them both.....

 

[trickyasafox]

my muzzle loader is rifled, my shotgun isn't. so for me, it is much easier to consistently (and humanely) harvest game a bit further out with the ML. However, I agree with 303tom, both are more than capable game getters- use whatever is more available.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I started shooting BP during the Civil War Centennial, and started seriously hunting with a ML during the 70s.

The TC High Plains Sporter here has an unblemished record. At least 10 deer behind it.

So does the 870 I built from an old cruiser gun. Maybe 20 on it.

In typical MD habitat, neither seems to have a major advantage over the other.

The slip shod records I kept for a decade give an average shot distance as 32 yards for all weapons, including bows.

Use whatever you want to.....

 

[scythefwd]

I've seen people do accurate enough shooting with a modern inline ML at 150y to cleanly harvest deer. I've not see that level accuracy from a shotgun. I've seen it at 100, but never seen a shotgun even fired at 150y.

 

[wolf695]

They both are great, I'm like you I rely on my shotgun more than a ML! But I was taught the old ways of hunting! One shot one kill! I use bolt action mossbergs and marlin 12 and 20, I taught my kids the same, and they still use them today! I shot a 125lbs doe first season at 118yds with a 695 smoothe bore open sights with a winchester xp3 slug! I have made 170yd shots with 695 RB with open sights using sst's. Granted you have to account for the drop! I use my ML for ML season it does the same job!