My point on this thread seems to have been lost again on the virtues of different fifles out there. I tried to simply state that I would not spend a lot of money on my first muzzleloader because many who buy them end up not shooting them because of the work involved. You all know this three hours at the range and you took 20 shots.

Cayugad my first ml was that CVA I talked about on the other bb and it has turned me into a ml shooter. $100 and a few trips to the range and I was hooked. I bought a Renagade for my second rifle (a kit no less). Then a Scout Carbine and finally an Encore. It was the fact that I liked the sport kept me going.

Other people I know just bought them for the extra few days of deer hunting and did not want to take the time to be a shooter with these rifles.

Muzzleloading even with a Savage is a comitment well beyond that of a cartridge shooter and that is why I think you should start off with something that won't break the bank and work up to the magnum rifles after you know you can handle them.

And yes a traditional rifle is a great way to start that's how I started.