"Accuracy really comes mainly from the bullet and powder," Dave Meredith offered. "The bullets have improved. Where a guy was using the old round ball and the patch, most of the guns didn't have any rifling whatsoever."

Another factor that enhanced the environment for acceptance of in-line rifles in the South has been the explosive growth of deer herds throughout the region in recent decades. While wildlife agencies have tried to accommodate the wishes of muzzleloading hunters in the form of separate seasons for their sport, there was also a need to increase the harvest of deer virtually everywhere. Thus, as primitive weapons seasons have become the norm, wildlife managers have welcomed the advent of the modern in-line firearms.

"It gets more people in the woods and helps control the herds better," Meredith agreed.

Also, the greater range and accuracy of the weapons makes those new hunters entering the action more productive at culling the herd. It's a win-win proposition in that hunters enjoy better success rates and the wildlife managers have another option for reining in bludgeoning deer numbers.

In the face of the apparent advantages to be gained from swapping over to a modern in-line rifle, even a fan like Dave Meredith does know there is a price to pay.

"The old ones gave you more of a sense of doing something like your ancestors did," he reasoned. "There weren't as many people doing it then. It was a little more intense."

The popularity of "mountain man rendezvous" events and traditional long rifle shooting competitions make it clear that the older side-lock weapons will always have their fans. But at least now those of us who are much less skilled in the blackpowder sports also have a way to join the fun. Who knows, I may even fulfill my goal of actually using a muzzleloader to add meat to the larder this year!