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Inline Muzzleloader vs. Sidelock
cletus85
Member Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭✭✭
Let's take the scopes and nostalgia out of the picture. Do you see a big advantage (unfair, or less sporting) of inline muzzleloaders as compared to modern sidelocks.
Comments
That's about it in my opinion as far as sporting differences go. I really feel a lot safer with my Remington 700MLS (inline) than I do with my old sidelock and inlines are SOOOOO much easier to properly clean. That said, I've shot over 50 deer with a sidelock and ~ 20 with all other types of guns put together (I THINK I've got 7 with my inline, but I'm not sure).
Remember that inline's aren't a new thing, they were actually invented several centuries ago (back in the late 1700's I think).
The in-lines are getting more and more to the accuracy/velocity of some modern guns. With that said then I think they should be used during modern season and as some states have it, primitive seasons should be at least side locks. I shoot flinters myself. There is a huge difference in the accuracy in the saboted bullits verses the round ball and the conicals. The inlines are less sporting but they are by definition still front stuffers so they are legal in the state I live in. There again we all do not drive the same car so we all do not shoot the same guns! I will say this though, with more and more people switching to in-lines, there are some really good bargains to be had on side locks out there. Personal choice, that is what freedom is for. If you like in-lines then shoot them just don't try to convert those of us that are pure traditionalists![;)]
As to being unfair, that is a mute point. I pride myself on getting the deer within 20 yards anyway so no matter what I shoot they are close enough to hit!
I'll cast a second vote for that statement[:)].
Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!
People
Eating
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Animals
Handgun Control, Inc. says they want to "Keep guns out of the wrong hands."
Guess what?
You have the wrong hands.
I also shoot a 240 grain sabot .44 caliber bullet out of my Remington 700MLS and it is very accurate. I am not using magnum power out of it, I am only using 100 grains of powder as accuracy suffered greatly at above 120 grains. For my sidelock, I use a greased patched roundball (.491 I think - I have a mould so I don't remember) and 120 grains of FFG on a 32" barreled gun
jjmitchell60, I have to disagree about the inlines being less sporting. Maybe I am niave, maybe I'm not exploiting my gun to its potential. They do allow for a little more reach than the sidelocks and they don't misfire as often, but that can be controlled on sidelock with proper maintainance and preventative care. As you can tell about my ratio of sidelock kills to the others I'm a firm believer of them, but I haven't found much advantage to the others aside from that which I mentioned. I've taken most of my deer at 75 yards or under, in fact I'd bet 85% or better would be under 45 yards and 1 deer I literally could have kicked in the head from my low treestand. The only exceptions were one at 165 yards freehand with my .300 winmag, and another at 250 prone from the same gun. I even took one with my .50 10" pistol at 45 yards while I was on the ground stalking. Actually, that's how I got at least half of my deer is on the ground stalking them. I used to get bored sitting and waiting so I'd get down and go after them. Now however, my back doesn't like the sitting or standing very well so I have to choose my style wisely and make the most of my "vertical" time.
Here's what I have:
Sidelock (they're selling it new again for a limited production run, it's the classic, not the hunter version): http://www.cva.com/products/rifles/mount.htm
inline (mine's the MLS version) http://www.remington.com/firearms/muzzleloader/fi_700ml.htm
Just my two cents
When you wrestle a 'gator, there ain't no good end!!
"Molon Labe!" Spartan General-King Leonidas
I am now off on the great adventure of inlines and sabots, because I had to get a scope because my vision isn't so good. Obviously I have better range with the scope.
I will be doing a lot of hunting this year with the Hornady XTP in a .50, will give a hunting report in a few weeks.
Colin B. Fowler
I'm not sure what all the buzz is about the primitive side locks. I'm a lefty and the junk in your face is not so great! I've tried them and decided to go with the more modern equipment ... no regrets so far! If they change the laws, I may have some serious regrets![:(!]
I just got my first muzzle loader - a T/C Omega 50 - one sweet gun. It is a pretty high-tech smoke pole. I shot it this last June when out in Iowa. Very accurate out of the box. I hope to take it deer hunting in Massachusetts this winter.[:)]
I'm not sure what all the buzz is about the primitive side locks. I'm a lefty and the junk in your face is not so great! I've tried them and decided to go with the more modern equipment ... no regrets so far! If they change the laws, I may have some serious regrets![:(!]
Could always get a lefthand sidelock.
When you wrestle a 'gator, there ain't no good end!!
"Molon Labe!" Spartan General-King Leonidas
cletus85, the inline usually gives a little better range and accuracy than the sidelocks, I personally prefer my flinters, my wife uses an inline. Both are legal for the muzzleloading season so,,,,,,,,,,,,,it works for both of us. Its interesting to see the bashing that goes on with this subject and we shooters have become so tunnel visioned with what we like we won't accept change. We shooters are the best friend the anti's have. We beat each other to death, bad mouth each other, while the anti's just keep chipping away. They just look for a contraversial suject, exploit it, and shortly they have another notch in their grip. Well off the soap box, cletus85, get the one you like the looks, feel, and price of. Then pratice, practice, practice. Enjoy the hunt.
Sorry but I do not see bashing here,a few goodnatured jabs perhaps,but no bashing.This post is one of the tamest and good natured ones I've seen in a bit,I thought we were asked our opinion?Did I miss something again............L.H.
Anything else is just a new fangled attempt to get more money from those who are just too lazy to do it the original smoke-pole way.[;)]
Trinity +++
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."(Proverbs 22:6)
A fellow muzzleloader I hunted with said my scope was 'unfair'. Why, because it works better?
Should we be glad that more people are shooting muzzleloaders or should we be sad (or mad about) natural progress & competion amongst gun makers?
It seems like for practically anything you are interested in, there is some traditionalist group (recurve vrs. compound bows, inlines vrs. sidelocks, Harley vrs everything else, etc, etc).
If you enjoy the traditional, have fun & do it. But don't act like any other way is wrong or 'less sporting'. A muzzleloader is primative because you only have one shot and reloading is relatively slow. Although, I suppose that double barrel sidelocks would still be considered 'sporting'......as long as you use black powder & a patched ball.
I think that a primitive season should involve the use of primitive weapons IF THE STATE YOU LIVE IN HAS A MODERN SEASON. However, I'm restricted to muzzleloader, shotgun and bow in Iowa. I can find a nice muzzleloader like my T/C and use it for shotgun and primitive seasons and don't feel the least bit guilty because there is no modern rifle season. Provide me with a modern rifle season and I'll get a side-lock.
Just my opinion, but it's not really a muzzle loader if it does not have a side lock, and a wooden stock. NO SCOPES, or pellets for powder. Your powder horn should be a cow horn with Scrimshaw on it. Your possible bag should be made from something you killed, not a fanny pac with velcro snaps![}:)]
Anything else is just a new fangled attempt to get more money from those who are just too lazy to do it the original smoke-pole way.[;)]
Trinity +++
I heard that! Ya! [:D][:D]
"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."<BR>(Proverbs 22:6)
[and watch a few people attempt to sight them in. It usually ends in "good enough" as the call it, a 3-4 inch group at 50yds.
What?????? Geez I get that from an open sight flinter with patched round ball,they gotta do bettern that?[?]
Jim
JJ
"They put 4 or 5 pellets in then the sabot and they are getting some high muzzle velocities out of them, especially the ones with the fast twist rates"
4 or 5 pellets - holy cow! Most inlines are rated at only 150 grains, I shoot my inline at 100 but my 32" sidelock at 120 grains.
I think this issue will never be settled. For some people it is extra days afield, for others (like me) it is to be afield without all the idiots that fire high powered rifles at running deer and they don't stop until their guns are empty (had that happen 2 years ago and a tree within 50 feet of me was hit by a bullet). For some it is for the nostalgia of it, and for others yet it is to be able to be afield at a more desireable time of year (not everyone can just close shop and go hunting a particular day).
This is just like bow season's. Some feel you should use long or recurves, while others like compounds with overdraws and carbon-fiber arrows. To each thier own I guess.
cletus85, I don't know where you're at in MO, but if you're near the SW corner hollar at me and I'll bring my smokepoles over and let you try several types. I actually live in Oklahoma but frequent S.E. Kansas and S.W. Missouri (near Joplin)