Muzzleloading or Rifle season?

[RedExer]

I've been considering trying muzzleloading for elk this year in Colorado. Can anyone who has done both tell me how muzzleloading differs from the normal rifle seasons?
A few of my questions are:
How does strategy change when muzzleloading?
Are there more or less hunters out in this season than in the rifle season?
Can I buy a good, inexpensive gun that will work well?
I've heard in CO you can't hunt the muzzleloading season with a scope. Is this true?
How do the elk behave during this season?
Would I be better off staying in the first rifle season?

Thanks

[saddlesore]

How does strategy change when muzzleloading?
Not much, you will be hunting closer to the rut, and bulls will be seeking out cows. Probably not in big harem as yet. Remember,cows determine where they are,not the bulls. Prepare for rain and warmer weather, although snow is a possibility

Are there more or less hunters out in this season than in the rifle season?
Far less.ML tags are by draw only.I don't known the present totals, but it use to be about 5000 for the entire state.Archery season is going on then and you will see a lot more of them than ML hunters

Can I buy a good, inexpensive gun that will work well?
Yes, you can buy them for less than$200. Not all the bells and whistles,but they will kill elk.

I've heard in CO you can't hunt the muzzleloading season with a scope. Is this true?
Yes,no optical sights, no sabots, no smokeless powder, , 50 caliber minimum.Fiber Optic sights OK

How do the elk behave during this season?
Just like any other season. A lot of pressure they move out and seek heavy cover, might go nocturnal.It will most likely be pre peak rut and you will hear some bulls bugelng.

Would I be better off staying in the first rifle season?
Less hunters,but you only have one shot and you must be very concientious about what shots you take.Realize that your distance to shoot an elk is limited vs a center fire rifle

[Waygoner]

I switched from rifle to muzzle loader about 8 years ago.

The weather is better. Sometimes almost too good! I was hunting in a t-shirt last fall.
Where I hunt there is a lot less pressure during ML.
The season falls during the rut. Nothing compares to calling in a bugling bull.
I feel confident out to 100 yards with the right conditions.
You can find a good inline for less than $200. Traditions and CVA both make inexpensive guns.

[CurlyTail]

Colorado weather in September is spectacular. Aspen are beginning to turn - glorious scenery.

I consider muzzleloader season to be "peak" rut (although sometimes it is late arriving). Since the bulls are vocal, it is easier to locate elk. I would say more calling than rifle season, and less glassing. Tags are harder to get since it is limited draw.

The "primitive" Colorado muzzleloader restrictions just make it more fun, not more difficult. My muzzleloader is still accurate to 200 yrds, I just cant see that far without a scope to shoot that kind of distance. I limit my shots to 75 yards or less, and don't think it is much of a handicap.

Excellent muzzleloader setup for no more than 500-600bucks. Used would be about half that. I like the Accura V2 by CVA, the Thompson Center Optima is super popular.

For me it is a no brainer - muzzleloader season is way more fun. Unless you are a trophy hunter and want to be very choosy which bull you shoot.

[swmoelk]

I found an Accura v2 on sale awhile back for $120 and it shoots as well as I can with open sights. There's nothing fancy about it but it's easy to load and easy to clean. I am trying to make the switch from now to muzzy this year just for fun.