Iowa Hunting Seasons
Which gun should i get for deer hunting?
ive be hunting with shotguns in IL for years. it’s illegal to use rifles for deer hunting in IL. i am wondering if i should get a .50 cal muzzleloader or a 30-06. with the 30-06 i would have to wait til i go to Iowa which is once a year and with a muzzleloader i can go ever muzzleloader season in IL. Which gun would u get if u were in my position?
Muzzleloaders USUALLY have a separate season, which gives you more chances to hunt.
Since I live in Colorado I don’t have your problem.
I ALSO have both, a .50 T/C Hawken, caplock, a .50 T/C Hawken flintlock, and a 30-06 Garand, (as well as several other weapons!)
This gives me 2 deer hunting “seasons” each year.
( For muzzleloading season, I use the flintlock in good weather, and the caplock when the weather is not so good.)
In either case, a muzzleloader, with practice, can take ANY north american big game animal out to 200 yards easily. I use round ball on deer and minnie ball on anything larger, such as elk and/or bear. (I also shoot 2″- groups at 100 yards!)
Personally, I do not like “sabot” bullets; and use Black Powder, not a substitute, but that is a matter of choice.
The choice of what to get is yours, but since you already have a hunting weapon for the “regular” season, I would suggest the muzzleloader.
Safe Iowa Hunting, Waterfowl