In case you've been snoozing more than hunting lately, the old Kentucky frontloader has some competition in the form of ultra-modern blackpowder weapons. In-line ignition systems, stainless barrels, synthetic stocks, sabot ammunition, and sharp optics have combined to make muzzleloading rifles a hunting weapon to be taken seriously.

For years I toyed with muzzleloading rifles, but it wasn't until these guns started looking and shooting like centerfire rifles that I fell in love with the smell of Pyrodex.

Apparently I'm not alone in my admiration of these hunting tools. Case in point, in southern Michigan where a shotgun, muzzleloader, or handgun may be used during the 15-day firearm deer season, many serious hunters are opting for an in-line muzzleloader instead of the traditional shotgun slug. While a muzzleloading rifle can't offer the firepower of an auto-loading or pump-action shotgun, it can offer better accuracy at longer ranges.

That's right, better accuracy at longer ranges. The Modern Muzzleloading MK-85 is a prime example. Pick any one of their many models off the shelf, load it with Pyrodex propellant and a sabot encased handgun bullet, and you've got a combination that consistently shoots 1-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. Out to 200 yards these guns are more than capable of doing the job on whitetails, pronghorn, and mulies.

Given the choice of better accuracy/range or more substantial firepower, 9 out of 10 hunters will choose the former. A single well placed shot is always better than a sky full of lead.

If you don't already own an in-line muzzleloader, choosing one is becoming a rather difficult decision. A host of manufacturers including CVA, Thompson Center, Modern Muzzleloading, Dixie, Gonic Arms, Ultra Light Arms, and White Systems currently produce ultra-modern muzzleloading rifles that range in price from around $300 to $1,000 or more.

Although round balls or maxi-ball bullets may be fired in these guns, most will perform at their best with sabot encased handgun bullets. I prefer a .44 caliber handgun bullet encased in a .54 caliber sabot for my deer hunting. I recommend the Sierra 240-grain Jacketed Hollow Center Sports Master, Nosler 240- or 300-grain Hollow Point, Hornady 240- or 300-grain Hollow Point XTP, or Speer 240-grain MAG Jacketed Hollow Point bullets.

Plastic sabots and bullets can be purchased separately and assembled or pre-packaged from manufactures like Hornady who sell .50 and .54 caliber sabots in boxes of 20. Sabot ammunition doesn't require any additional lubricants or patches, making them fast and convenient to load.

Never place a round ball in a plastic sabot! Sabots are designed to fit a specific caliber handgun or swagged lead bullets and may lead to dangerous pressure levels if used with lead ball ammunition.

Some hunters have a natural tendency to experiment with lighter handgun bullets than I've just recommended, figuring they can achieve faster bullet speeds and a flatter trajectory. Despite the fact that these bullets punch impressive holes in paper, my experience with 180-, 200- and 210-grain bullets hasn't been good in the field. These lighter bullets simply don't offer enough knock-down power at the modest velocities possible from muzzleloading arms. Larger bullets perform best on deer-sized animals at all ranges.

Hodgdon Pyrodex RS is my hands-down choice for propellant. Not only does Pyrodex burn cleaner, make for easier clean up and provide better accuracy, I typically get up to 30 percent more shots per pound than black powder. A load of 90 to 100 grains (measured by volume) Pyrodex is recommended for most muzzleloading rifles. With bullets ranging in size from 240 to 310 grains hunters can expect a muzzle velocity of 1,550 to 1,650 feet per second.

An in-line muzzleloading rifle deserves to be matched with a quality rifle scope. Some rifles like the Thompson Center models require a special base adapter before a scope can be mounted. Thompson Center offers several models of scopes designed especially for their muzzleloading rifles and Contender handguns.

Leupold, Burris, and Nikon also produce high quality optics that are ideally suited to the muzzleloading enthusiast. Most shooters will find a 4X or 6X fixed-power scope or compact 2X-8X or 3X-9X variable model suits their needs best.

If you're looking to extend your hunting season or add another challenge to deer hunting, I'd highly recommend one of the new in-line muzzleloading rifles. If owning the newest of the new appeals to you, check out the Knight Magnum Elite.

This state-of-the-art rifle incorporates an advanced percussion in-line ignition system that uses a magnum centerfire rifle primer and a special percussion capsule for the hottest ignition available in a muzzleloading rifle. The system uses a bolt-style hammer that chambers the capsule into a recess at the rear of the breech plug. The result? Positive and hot ignition without worry that rain or snow will put the fizzle on your hunt.

Loaded with a handgun bullet/sabot and scope sighted, in-line muzzleloading rifles are so deadly I feel a little guilty every time I use one. A far cry from the days of flintlocks and round balls, you'll probably want to leave the buckskin and coonskin cap at home.