[h8dirt]

Regardless of brand, look for a high quality bore (easy to keep clean -- the number one rule in BP), good trigger (adjustable prefered) dependable ignition, and good sights. The rest is just about preference and style.

[RL357Mag]

If this is your entry into black powder I would suggest a traditional side lock rifle. You will learn more and it's more fun with respect to the historical aspect. I have several CVA guns that I bought very cheap as kits in the early 80's. They shoot under 3" at 100 yds. I don't know if CVA is even in business anymore, I think they sold out to Traditions in the late 90's. Thompson Center makes excellent guns but they don't come cheap. Same with Lyman, excellent gun but expensive. I shoot roundballs in my T/C New Englander because it has a 1 in 66" rate of twist which stabilizes round balls but not conicals too well. If you want real knock down power get a gun with a 1 in 48 twist so you can shoot the heavier conical bullets which are much more accurate than round balls also. ( 1 in 48 will also stabilize round balls, so you cover both bases with that twist) If you are strictly concerned with extending your hunting season and taking longer shots maybe an inline is more appropriate. If you really get into it you can save money buy casting your own projectiles, either round ball or conical, with a lead pot and bullet mould, and pure non-alloyed lead. (don't use wheel weights!) There's nothing like going out on a crisp morning with a front stuffer and bringing home the venison! There are other little tricks that you will learn as you go, like not leaving a loaded gun indoors overnight and taking it out in the freezing morning temps. You will more than likely get a misfire from damp powder caused by condensation. That happened to me once and I quickly learned to leave the gun in the unheated garage...

[stetson]

I'll second that I have a cva 54 cal that work just fine.

[c3shooter]

While everyone is jumping for the newest golly-gee-whiz in-line #209 primer muzzleloader, the traditional sidelock #11 percussion cap arms are going for fairly cheap. Check autionarms.com and gunbroker.com- you should be able to find a Thompson/Center Hawken in .50 or .54 cal for under $200. Will likely shoot better than you can.

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by c3shooter

While everyone is jumping for the newest golly-gee-whiz in-line #209 primer muzzleloader, the traditional sidelock #11 percussion cap arms are going for fairly cheap. Check autionarms.com and gunbroker.com- you should be able to find a Thompson/Center Hawken in .50 or .54 cal for under $200. Will likely shoot better than you can.

C3 are those "used" prices? I paid more than that in 1991 for my T/C New Englander. Around here a T/C Hawken goes for over $450, twice what they sold for just 10 years ago. I recently tried to buy a .32 Squirrel rifle and the only one I could find was made by Traditions (the Crockett Rifle) and the cheapest I found it for was $430 from MidSouth Shooters Supply. Years ago CVA sold them for under $200.

[c3shooter]

Yep, used prices. I paid $180 for a very clean TC 50 Renegade

[dunerunner]

I have a Lyman Great Plains Rifle, 50 Cal. capper. Fine rifle but shop here:

http://www.thegunworks.com/

its a good place to become familiar with black power shooting. I met Joe Williams at a gun and knife show in Sacramento, Ca. He's a very knowledgeable individual.

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by dunerunner

I have a Lyman Great Plains Rifle, 50 Cal. capper. Fine rifle but shop here:

http://www.thegunworks.com/

its a good place to become familiar with black power shooting. I met Joe Williams at a gun and knife show in Sacramento, Ca. He's a very knowledgeable individual.

Hey Dunerunner - thanks for the link. They have a variety of stuff and I was impressed that I can get parts for my old CVA rifles that are out of production! But the prices for rifles are about $70 - $80 higher than at WWW.MidsouthShootersSupply.Com. Midsouth sells the GreatPlains right hand percussion rifle for $409 instead of $486
the Deer Hunter Carbine for $278 instead of $348
and the Crockett Rifle ( the one I want) for $336 instead of $365

I was impressed that they sell the Shenandoah Rifle however, I havent seen this in over 10 years!

[dunerunner]

Originally Posted by RL357Mag

Hey Dunerunner - thanks for the link. They have a variety of stuff and I was impressed that I can get parts for my old CVA rifles that are out of production! But the prices for rifles are about $70 - $80 higher than at WWW.MidsouthShootersSupply.Com. Midsouth sells the GreatPlains right hand percussion rifle for $409 instead of $486
the Deer Hunter Carbine for $278 instead of $348
and the Crockett Rifle ( the one I want) for $336 instead of $365

I was impressed that they sell the Shenandoah Rifle however, I havent seen this in over 10 years!

Yea, small shop, not much volume, prices a little higher but no sales tax in Oregon!! Added Midsouth to my favorites, thanks RL!

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by dunerunner

Yea, small shop, not much volume, prices a little higher but no sales tax in Oregon!!

I don't pay sales tax from Midsouth either - they're in Tenn. and I'm in NY. They do have a lot of stuff for the Muzzleloader however. Almost like Dixie Gun Works.