Muzzleloading Integrity

[Polkahero]

With the new technology that benefits muzzleloading firearms(rifled barrels, inline systems, scopes. etc.), what's really the difference if I take my shotgun(loaded with only 1 shell in the magazine) or ifI use one of those "new" inline muzzleloaders!

A typical inline muzzleloader probably has more accuracy than my smoothbore slug gun, and if I used only 1 shell, the same amount of potential repetitive firepower.

Can anybody tell me what's the difference!?

[The Mutt]

The difference is your shotgun would put you at a distinct disadvantage.

[boehr]

The difference is probably about $100 and lossing you gun forever because it's illegal.

On the serious side, well I guess that was serioustoo but, I do understand what you are saying. I used my in-line during the regular season because it is just as good as a shotgun. I can tell you that even an in-line though has more of a chance at not going off when you pull the trigger than a regular shotgun. Last day I hunted the regular season, before going home I went to shoot of the gun so I could clean it and click, didn't go off. Kept the same primer in it, didn't move it just recocked and boom, went off. First time it ever happened to me and I have shot my muzzleloader probably 16 times in the last two years for hunting and practice.

[stoney]

There is know difference, except that it is the law.
Back 10yrs ago I would say the advantage went to the smooth-bore shotgun.
The old muzzel loader were hit or miss weather they would fire.
(at least that is the way mine was).
But with todays technolgies the inline has the advantage over a smooth-bore shotgun by far. I would say that it is right up there with todays rifled slug guns or better. I have a knight disc and it fires ever time. I have had it for three years.

[goose hunter]

The smooth bore is not used much now. Almost all the southern hunters, I talked with, now use the inline muzzleloaders during the deer season. They can really reach out there. Much better than the 12 gauge slug gun's. We think it should be illegal to use a fifty caliber down state. It is so much better than when they set this hunt. We had a hard time shooting the old muzzleloaders. They are so much better now. I had sights that stayed in the same place. No adjustment. We called it "Kentucky windage". Now with the scopes and all the other gadgets it is easy pickings. Now that I have said this, just watch. I will probably miss one at 30 yards or less in the morning.;)

[jscott27]

I don't see any great advantages the ML's have over rifled shot guns shooting sabots. The ballistics of the shotgun are as good as or better than the ML, they have a faster follow up shot, and shotguns have more reliable ignition. If you want a accurate slug gun, get a purpose built bolt action one, and you will be able to shoot with the ML's, no problem. It's your own fault if you are silly enough to still shoot a smooth-bore with sluggers, open sights and a modified choke.

Also, for accuracy and velocity, there is no effective difference between an in-line and a side-lock. The only diff for a flinter is a slower ignition. There is nothing new about rifled barrels or in-line ignition when it comes to ML's. Both have been around for well over 100 years.

[Polkahero]

I'm in the process of looking for a rifled slug gun to replace both my smoothbore slug gun and my 30-06 rifle. But don't knock the accuracy of my current shotgun! Using a Brenneke slug, I can shoot through the same hole(X ring) at 35-40 yards. This is more accurate than some results I've seen posted on this forum from guys using rifled shotgun barrels!:eek:

They had in-line ML's 100 years ago?!:confused: I'm thinking of purchasing a muzzleloader. If I do, I really want to get a sidelock for a more "traditional" experience.:)

[Swamp Monster]

Yep, inlines have been around for that long. Ofcourse they weren't bolt action etc and didn't look like they do today, but the concept has been there. Both my shotgun and Muzzleloader are equally effective out to about 150 yards, probably more if I really worked at it but really have no need. Todays slug loads are head and tails above what they were even a couple of years ago. The technology keeps improving....same with muzzleloaders. My muzzleloader has a much better trigger and it feels just like my centerfire (Remington MLS) so it may have a bit of an advantage. The second shot means little to me since I don't think I've even worked the action of any of my guns for a second shot in about 10 years. At some point in time I'm sure I'll regret that, I've just been lucky so far. So to me it's a pretty even trade off. There is too few tradtionalists left these day to lobby for a purely traditional season like some states have. I think I would enjoy that just has much though and we are free to still hunt that way if we wish. My next muzleloader purchase will be a .54 sidelock just for that reason....far different from my plastic/stainless and scoped version!

[jscott27]

Swamp Monster,

You should make it even more old-fashioned and go with a flinter ;-)

Personally, I am hoping to get an in-line 50cal for Christmas :D If I do, I plan on feeding it conicals and not putting a scope on it. One of my objectives is to eventually hunt elk in CO with an ML, and they don't allow sabots (conicals limited to length of 2x the cal) or scopes.