Muzzleloader vs Compound bow for hunting?

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Muzzleloader vs Compound bow for hunting?

I have a few $$ burning a hole in my pocket and would like to get myself a new toy. This new toy will be used for fun and hopefully during hunting season.

I have no experience with either but do know a few people who can help me out with whatever I choose.

I can't really make up my mind as they both have there pro's and cons for me. I already have too many rifles already but the muzzleloader would be a first as would the bow.

I can only get one right now as it will be fully kitted out and I would like to master it before moving onto the next toy.




Help? :confused:
 
Muzzleloader. Hell, you can even load the Savage with smokeless powder. Easier to master seeing as you're coming from a rifle shooting background.
 
Definitely muzzleloader

Noting beats the smell of blackpowder!!

The only weird part is not being able to see your shot placement until the smoke clears....longest 5 seconds when you are hunting!
 
I have hunted and do hunt with all three, bow, muzzle and rifle and have to say I enjoy the bow most. Killing a deer with bow takes alot of work and time but the reward is great. I love sitting up in a tree and seeing the woods move with critters and anxiously waiting for a deer to walk in range.

Cheers!!
 
You will end up buying both and I think you know that already.;) I'd go bow as it takes more time to learn and is easier to practice almost anywhere on a piece of land that has 20 or more yards of length. It is a completely different kind of hunt as well. It's all about stealth and camouflage. You'll need nerves of steel to shoot your first animal that you will see up so very close. It will fascinate you how game will just not notice you as they pass by or stop at your stand. You will also do best understanding the animal's anatomy in detail at various angles. A double lung shot is the objective if you want a clean quick kill and a short distance tracking. Patience is your best tool once you did connect. You must give game time to die... especially on less than ideal hits (like a one lung hit) or game will be lost to never be found again.

Muzzleloaders are great fun at the range. Lots of load tinkering and multiple projectile tests to find the optimal accurate load for each recipe you cook up.
Otherwise, it's a hunt very similar to regular rifle hunting. Make your first shot count!
 
get a bow it gives you a a lot longer season and earlyer hunting seson as well .early fall bow hunting is a blast weather is still nice and the animals have not be hunted yet DUTCH
 
The bow will get you months of hunting whereas the muzzleloader is only a few extra days.

As for plinking at the range, I enjoy both but like shooting my bow more.
 
I would vote for a traditional muzzle loader loaded with patched round ball. It is easier to master and in range and hunting tactics not terribly different from a bow. Some of the comments by others refer to in line guns which are basically just modern rifles with caseless ammo

cheers mooncoon
 
A bow is a very frustrating way to hunt. If deer, or the animals you are hunting, are very plentiful and easy to get close to, then maybe a bow isn't too bad. An old fashioned muzzle loader is far superior, yet should give good satisfaction to a hunter used to a rifle.
 
Clearly, the answer is...get one (or more) of each. :)

You NEED a compound for early season deer...a traditional ML for those nice days, an in-line for poor weather days and then a X-bow for late season deer. ;)
 
Another vote for a percussion or flinter. We just got into percussion bp about a yr ago and they're just simply tons of fun.
Good used one's can be had very reasonable, even new one's aren't out of reach.
They're also really cheap to shoot, as powder and balls are reasonable, and there's no danger of going through a hundred rounds in a day of practice. :)
 
Being a successful bow hunter requires skills which might be difficult to acquire. On the other hand, a muzzle loader is very similar to a regular rifle except for degraded range and accuracy.

There are a lot of pros and cons but putting these aside, my recommendation would be the following.

1. Buy a TC Encore Pro Hunter (single shot with exchangeable barrels) .... even if you have to sell one of your guns to finance it then buy two barrels (one of the same caliber as the gun you sold) and one in .50 Caliber ML

My main moose hunting rifle is a TC Encore Pro Hunter (28" barrel) in 300 WM to be upgraded to a 375 H&H for this coming moose hunting season. I also have a 28", 50 calibre ML in-line 209 used for deer hunting when bows and ML are allowed..

I also have a compound bow and a cross-bow but haven't had a chance to try them out as the season for these kinds of arms usually conflicts with my moose hunting. It is considerably easier to shoot accurately under less than ideal conditions with a cross-bow but it has similar range consideration as the compound bow. The compound bow is the most difficult one to shoot accurately not to mention the significant range limitation but you can beat the feeling of shooting accurately with one of them.

Also, a compound bow is much more easier to practice shooting and the cost is just about nil to do it. I have a 10 yd open distance in my house and I practice shooting my bow all year round.

No matter what, you should review your Province's hunting regulations regarding these arms before committing to buying one. For example, some provinces have strict limitations on using cross-bows for hunting and also, you would not be allowed to use a ML during the restricted bow season. Some provinces such as Quebec will usually allow you using either a compound bow or a cross-bow during the restricted bow season.

Good luck with your new endeavour.

Duke1
 
Old style muzzle loader.

Bows require almost daily practice and there are a ton of things than can, and often do, go wrong in the field. If you're really, really into a challenge, then that's okay, but for most guys there are simply too many ways for it to go wrong and to few ways for it to go right.

A nice hawken style muzzle stuffer does require practice and some stalking skills, but is a very effective killer out to 100 yards and will simply blast through rain, wind, and small branches that will defeat an arrow every time.
 
A guns a gun, no matter how you cut it.:D A bow is a different beast that will take some time to master , but will be a great time. The hunting skills you will learn will be worth it alone. Even if you go back to gun hunting , the methods will remain, and you will see more game...:D
 
The learning curve for a bow is longer. They also require upper body tone to shoot well. Back and shoulders, not just your arms. A new compound can run close to a grand with taxes too. Plus nearly $100 for a dozen arrows. You don't need a dozen though. Go to a bow shop, have a look and get fitted.
Muzzle loaders are loaded by volumn, not weighed in grains. You'd have to decide what kind you want too.
 
Depends on your seasons.

A muzzle loader gets me an extra week. A bow gets me an extra 3 months almost.
 
Most importantly, be honest with yourself. Buying a bow because it gets you 3 more months of hunting can be ok. Dusting it off just before the season opens is not. It is really something with whicj you have to keep in practice.

That being said, I find the rewards of bow hunting MUCH greater than anything I have shot with a rifle.

Good luck.
 
I have rifles, that i shoot alot, but i can say that i have a damn good time taking my compound bow out to the range. i have yet had the chance to go hunting with it but i can say that i think the time i had learning to shoot it was a lot more challangeing and enjoyable then shooting my rifles.

dont get me wrong, i still love to shoot my rifles but i love shooting my bow. best 439.00 i spent. yes the arrows a little costly when you first start out if your bouncing your arrow off of the rocks and trees. but once you learn to not pull your shots, its awsome.
specaily when you start hiting the 25 and 50 yard targets dead center. i got a 65 lbs pull on mine, its easy once you get a hang of it. and with the let off point its easy to aim your shot..
 
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