What would you do?

[Silvertp]

Ive got a TC pro-hunter and intend to use it for hunting white-tails in a "short range weapon" season.  For the state I hunt in short range weapons include shotguns with slugs and / or muzzle loaders.  It does not include handguns.  I can expect most shots will be offered (not necessarily taken) to be from 30 yards to 200 yards.  So, I am considering:

A muzzle loading bbl for the TC in either 45 or 50 cal.  Would probably hunt with sabot assisted bullets and scope the bbl.

Or

A rifled shotgun bbl in 12 or 20 ga.  Again, I would be using sabot assisted bullets and would scope the bbl.

Would you choose the muzzle loader barrel or the rifled shotgun barrel and why?  What caliber or gauge would you choose and why.  Also, your preferences in barrel length and or scope would also be appreciated.

[kynardsj]

I'd go with the slug gun in a 12 guage. It's good for at least 100 yards and clean up is much easier. A 12 guage slug is an awsome force to be reckoned with. I'd stay in the 22 to 24 inch catagory on the barrel. Good luck on your hunt.

[aimhard]

My encore with the 50 cal. barrel is shooting under MOA. Plus, I love the smell of Pyrodex in the morning. (I have the stainless 26" with a Leupold  VXll 2-7)

[Nakota]

I have a .50 cal 209 barrel I use for elk.  The rifle has taken 3 in the last 3 years from 65-100 yards.  I used a 405 gr. Powerbelt hollowpoint over 115 grains of Triple 7.  At 100 yards the 405 gr. sluge punches right through an elk.  You could probably use lighter bullets on whitetails an get some extra velocity.  The muzzle loader does take more work than a slug gun but that is half the fun.

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

50 cal barrel will take whitetails to 200 yards

[Hopalong7]

    I've got zero experience with rifled slug barrels, but my 209 X 50 shooting Precision Rifle's 195 gr Dead Center Duplex bullets and loose 777 is deadly to 200yd easy with a 4" trajectory which is further than I'm good for.  Your Pro-Hunter barrel should add even more velocity to the equation.  Go for it.

[rickyp]

I have both a 209x50 encore rifle barrel and a 20 ga slug barrel.
The 20 ga slug now days are as good as the 12 ga with less recoil.
The 50 caliber muzzle loader is also a great barrel for hunting.

If you go with the muzzle loader I would try the blackhorn 209 powder.

The 12 ga in an single shot like the encore can be a handful.

[rebAL]

My scoped muzzleloader is more accurate & has greater range  than my fully rifled cantilever scoped 12 gauge but if I thought I might need quick follow up shot I would use my pump  shotgun.  Since both your choices are single shot I guess I would choose the muzzleloader. 

[Hopalong7]

      I made the "switch" to single shots for all my hunting(except bird hunting with my scatter blaster) back in the early seventies and amazingly my success ratio went up very quickly.  This included muzzle loaders and Contender pistols.  I often had to answer the   "Is that all you have to hunt with?"
     It has made me a much better hunter and I've never regreted the "switch".

[Silvertp]

Thanks for all the feedback folks...I'm still confused so think I'll just hunt with my bow!     Just Kiddin. 

Lets see if I got this.

Pros:
Muzzle loader- Greater accuracy; flatter trajectory w/ effective range to 200 yards (w/proper load development, sights and provided I do my part).

Slug barrel- Shorter / handier barrel for carry and brush hunting; adequate accuracy; effective range to 100 yards (find a slug it likes + above); faster follow-up shots (not needed if I do my part); easier cleaning.

Cons:
Muzzle loader - requires more rigorous cleaning regiment; follow-up shots take more time;

Slug barrel- may have to pass up 100+ yard opportunity for buck of a lifetime; will miss out on the smell of pyrodex in the morning.

OK, sounds like either would work fine for me but you guys that have both a slug barrel and a muzzle loader bbl have the real answer. 

Simplicity has me leaning toward the slug barrel for starters.  I kinda like the idea of sliding the shell out of the chamber at the end of the hunt and having an unloaded gun.  Real world, Ive shot whitetails (not during the short range season) with my centerfire rifles and my bow and I usually manage shots less than 100 yards.  Reckon I can always pick up a muzzle loader bbl at some later date when my cash flow starts dribbling again.

Thanks again for the feedback
Silvertp

[rickyp]

with some of the newer slugs you can stretch the distance of the  shotgun barrel out to 150 or more. The modern 20 ga gives up little to the 12 ga loads but has less kick.

If you use the blackhorn209 powder you do not have to clean the barrel as you would with normal black powder. Using the blackhorn209 I have so far gone a week between shooting and cleaning with no rust.

When slug season comes around I put the 209x50 barrel in the safe and  put on the 20 ga slug barrel or if I want to use a handgun I will put my 15" 209x50 on and take that.


The slug barrels are a bit pricey but worth it if that is what you have to use to hunt big game, you can look at bass pro and cabalas and find a after market 209x50 for a few hundred dollars. I have no experience with them I heard good things about them.

[gunrac]

My scoped muzzleloader is more accurate & has greater range  than my fully rifled cantilever scoped 12 gauge but if I thought I might need quick follow up shot I would use my pump  shotgun.  Since both your choices are single shot I guess I would choose the muzzleloader. 

X1..........Plus there cheeper to shoot.