get both get a remington model 770 less than $450(dont listen to what other people say about this gun, it is a great gun, the people who talk trash about this gun dont have one) and get a muzzleloader $150-$200

.50 cal muzzleloader definently

it depends on how long your season is.

30-06 is more availible.

I would get a Thompson-Center muzzleloader. That way you could hunt more. The more you hunt the greater the chance of you killing the “big one.” That way you wouldn’t have to go out of state to go hunting.

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.

I would have to ask, what kind of hunter are you?

The muzzle-loader would be more like your shotgun than the 30.06. A 30.06 is ideal for open ground where you can’t get within 250 yards of deer. Rifle hunters usually make a stand, wait for the deer come within range and take their time for a clean heart and lung shot. It’s like being a sniper. If you get the 30.06 I would recommend getting a good scope and taking the time to learn how to use it. Don’t forget if the deer is 250 yards away that bullet still has a lethal range of another 500 plus yards beyond the target. Too many times novice hunters don’t look beyond the target before firing.

Muzzle-loaders work better in the forest where you can stalk the deer and get within 50 yards. I think it’s more of a sporting challenge. Of course if it was really important to me to hunt for food I’d be out there with a Colt AR-14.

I would get the 50 cal due to you could use it in IL for deer season. I would use a rifled barrel with sabot rounds. You might even get a second barrel for round balls. The 30-06 unless you plan to hunt outside of IL a lot in my opinion would be a waste of money. The 30-06 is a very good weapon.

You can use the front-stuffer in Iowa, too. It may not have quite the range of the 30-06, but with it you’ll have more hunting opportunities. And it isn’t really an either-or question, but one of which to get first.

I think you should use a bow. Second choice, black powder.