Elk….Bow or Muzzleloader

[rogerthat]

I think @Stocker is dead on with his comments on range. Realistically a compound is 50 and a muzzy is 75 for consistent success and limiting wounding with either weapon. I think a lot of the other issues with muzzy’s can be overcome with proper muzzy loading/unloading and cleaning protocol if using a cap gun. I think you would have fun with either weapon if you practice and don’t take stupid azz shots like 90% of hunters unfortunately do. I would focus on the weapon you enjoy using and practicing with and go have a good time.

 

[IDiot]

Handle checks out………


1. Is the range advantage really that good? Colorado means open sights, so what kind of yardage are we talking? 100-120ish? So you’re taking a 10x risk of weapon malfunction to gain 50% distance advantage.


2. Are the ballistics at that range somewhat reliable? I don’t wanna steal someone else’s story that’s been on this forum but he had a bullet failure at 80 yards on a deer this year.

I’m not meaning to pick on anyone individually, I’m just on a crusade to rescue people from the clutches of muzzleloaders.

You can take my muzzleloader from my cold, dead hands

I respect your opinion, but that has not been my experience, with practice and know how ML are reliable and efficient killing tools. The reason why ML tags are generally harder to get than archery is because they are more effective. That's not a statement on what someone should prefer to hunt with, use what you want.

Considering this is a first elk hunt, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it will be easier to get to 100 yards than under 50. In that case absolutely take a muzzleloader.

 

[brushcreek]

I wholeheartedly disagree with everyone who claims muzzleloader is an easier route.

If you are in any way proficient with archery equipment it’s the way to go. How many times have you heard about a bow having a catastrophic malfunction when someone is getting ready to shoot an animal? Definitely a few times, but it’s not super prevalent. Now how many times have you heard stories of a muzzleloader letting someone down? I’d guess 10-15% of all Muzzeloader encounters end in a less than desirable way. I have not gone 1 year of my hunting career that I haven’t experienced a muzzleloader nightmare or heard of someone close to me having one.

I firmly believe the people encouraging you to use the smoke maker are possessed by evil hunting spirits trying to suck more people down into the misery of a useless lead chucking smoke maker.

40 years ago this would make some sense. With modern muzzleloaders, complete non issue.

 

[brushcreek]

I think @Stocker is dead on with his comments on range. Realistically a compound is 50 and a muzzy is 75 for consistent success and limiting wounding with either weapon. I think a lot of the other issues with muzzy’s can be overcome with proper muzzy loading/unloading and cleaning protocol if using a cap gun. I think you would have fun with either weapon if you practice and don’t take stupid azz shots like 90% of hunters unfortunately do. I would focus on the weapon you enjoy using and practicing with and go have a good time.

75? not even close to reality with a modern muzzleloader and some time at the range

 

[Stocker]

40 years ago this would make some sense. With modern muzzleloaders, complete non issue.

I have a modern muzzleloader and know many who do and while they are more reliable, they still have their issues.

 

[Khunter]

I appreciate all the advice fellas. I imagine I will never accumulate seven points again because I will burn them at least every few years in Colorado after this. Even though it’s not a ton of points I just really want to get the most out of them. The last few years I try to burn points in at least one state a year to hunt something. Colorado elk just got to be something that went a little longer than I intended haha. We put in for a unit last year with gohunt showing 100 percent odds and didn’t draw. Seemed like draw odds got completely thrown out the window last year with the changes coming to Colorado draw. Hopefully this year the research I do isn’t a complete waste of time again

With the draw changes coming as you mention expect the point creep to be worse each year as the guys slow to see the light start getting desperate. If a nonresident (you did not specify?) 7 points ain’t much to work with unfortunately. Not a ton better as a resident. Anyway you will have a small handful of choices that at least make ‘some’ use of the 7 points. You may find better unit options for bow than muzzleloader that could to the scales to bow with so few points to work with.

I suggest bow hunt especially if you guys can give is 10 or more days of hunt time.

 

[caddiscrazy]

All very good advice. I definitely need to look at options once gohunt updates draw odds. Leaning a little more towards archery if the unit quality is even remotely better. I am a nonresident

 

[F250]

Muzzle Loader. If you don’t already have a quality ML , there are several good ones on the market. Buy quality loading supplies. I am partial to Blackhorn 209 powder, Woodman Patriot rifles and their own bullets. Woodman rifles are about 6 months out for a build. Check out their website. Small shop in New Hampshire.

 

[rogerthat]

75? not even close to reality with a modern muzzleloader and some time at the range

Limiting wounding…key words

 

[brushcreek]

I have a modern muzzleloader and know many who do and while they are more reliable, they still have their issues.

never had a misfire or problem at all in 15-20 years

 

[brushcreek]

Limiting wounding…key words

that's nonsense for those that practice and know their weapon

 

[Toast]

If you would practice with your muzzleloader the same amount that you practice with your bow (which includes routine maintenance and care!) then you won't have any issues.

Also - most guys aren't shooting beyond 50-60 yards with their bows. Muzzleloaders are effective to easily 100 yards, maybe 150. That's a 200-300% improvement.

 

[Stocker]

Let’s see, go out and shoot a bunch of arrows quickly to practice.

OR



Get 3 shots off an hour spent most of the time cleaning coal tar out of a barrel, beating a bullet down that needs to be lubricated, hope for a windy day so the smoke will clear so you can see where you hit, hope by the time hunting season gets here you don’t have black lung, spending the rest of your life on oxygen and can no longer hike……..

 

[Treeshark]

Get 3 shots off an hour spent most of the time cleaning coal tar out of a barrel, beating a bullet down that needs to be lubricated, hope for a windy day so the smoke will clear so you can see where you hit, hope by the time hunting season gets here you don’t have black lung, spending the rest of your life on oxygen and can no longer hike……..

Da fuq muzzleloader, powder and bullet are you shooting dude?

 

[Stocker]

Da fuq muzzleloader, powder and bullet are you shooting dude?

The real mountain man stuff, none of that newfangled sissy stuff.

 

[Treeshark]

The real mountain man stuff, none of that newfangled sissy stuff.

That’s cool though, I get the draw.

 

[TOGIE]

I'm voting muzzleloader.

Regardless of your proficiency with a bow it's your first elk hunt. Given the points expenditure I'd increase your odds of success and leave the meat rottin' bro slinger at home.

Yes, we all have our biases...

and mine is most correct

 

[Gerald Martin]

As an experienced archery and rifle elk hunter, if I were going to go on my first elk hunt again and had seven points I would make my first hunt a muzzleloader hunt. Take the weapon that gives you the most range and lethality now and use the experience you gain on this hunt to better advance your elk hunting knowledge on future archery hunts.
Knowledge and experience trumps “a better unit” when you’re talking about seven point units in CO. You probably won’t get the opportunity to accumulate enough points to go with the muzzle loader in the future if you have a fun experience on your first hunt.

 

[Stocker]

I'm voting muzzleloader.

Regardless of your proficiency with a bow it's your first elk hunt. Given the points expenditure I'd increase your odds of success and leave the meat rottin' bro slinger at home.

Yes, we all have our biases...

and mine is most correct

 

[mevertsen]

The real mountain man stuff, none of that newfangled sissy stuff.

You shoot a hand made longbow as well?

My inline doesn't misfire. If I miss, its because of me, not the equipment.

My old side lock has been a challenge.

Hard to miss with a bow with training wheels.

My dad's home made recurve takes tremendous amounts of practice.

I'd take the muzzle loader. Just for the extended range.