I bought a New England firearms "Sidekick" a while back to hunt in multiple categories. Seems now a days, the muzzle loader is grouped in with shotguns. I hadn't shot the ML in a few years and am wondering if I should just move on to a shotgun with rifled barrel and slugs. The ML was nice, but a lot of moving parts. As I get older, wonder if I need to get into more simpler firearms.

With that said, many years ago, I went on a public hunt in Junction and an 81 year old gentlemen shot an Aoudad with his ML and loaded it up him self.

Maybe I need to bring the ML out of the safe and shoot it a few times. Yeah, I know I am rambling. Just musing what to do going forward.

The Sidekick in .50 caliber was considered an accurate rifle. I can't think of a reason not to use it.

Muzzleloader is grouped in with shotguns? Where? But if I had the choice between hunting with a ML or a shotty, I'd pick the ML all day.

I love muzzleloader hunting. Have killed many more deer with a front-stuffer than archery and centerfire combined. It is a bit more complicated than a shotgun. Just depends on your personal preference. I killed a big hog and a very nice 10-point with a Mossberg slug gun a few years ago. Just more fun for me with the muzzleloader. Even been hunting with a muzzleloader pistol the last couple of years.

Having both options available would be my first choice, but given one, I would choose the muzzleloader. Pick up some speed loaders, ez loaders, rapid loaders, or whatever brand you choose calls them. The ones I use are just a clear plastic tube and cap. Each holds my pre measured powder, sabot, and bullet. I found the load I wanted to use, sighted in, and have never changed it up. Make enough up at home for the season to take when you go hunting. It makes it easy and reasonably fast enough on the fly.

If they lump together muzzleloader and shotguns, shotgun. No brainer. If you are not a black powder enthusiast, the shotgun is the clear winner.

The only reason I got into black powder is because of our short gun season in Missouri, in conjunction with the numerous opportunities in muzzle loader and archery only areas.

No brainer at all. If they include them all in a short range season, I'd pick my REM 870 with slug barrel all day long. 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards, no weather issues, and 5 fast shots.

Well for relatively dry hunts I like my muzzleloaders. Hunting from boats or in rain the shotgun for sure.

Be a man. Stab it with a sharp rock.

unless its a rifled shot gun barrel, Your range is much further with ML

Texas public draw hunts.