RE: Buying first muzzleloader
If you have Wal-Marts in your area it might be worth looking in their sporting goods department. I just bought 2 muzzleloaders there today for dirt cheap as they have put all their remaining stock on clearance. At the store I visited they had a Knight Wolverine bubble pack for $120, CVA Optima with Blued barrel and Black Synthetic stock for $74, CVA Optima with Nickel Barrel and Black stock for $99, CVA Kodiak with Blued Barrel and Mossy Oak Stock for $109 and the CVA Buckhorn with Blued Barrel and Black Stock was marked down to only $40. They also had their T/C Black Diamonds and Optimas marked down, but I can't remember the prices as they had sold out of those guns before I got there.
If anyone is interested for future reference, Thursdays are the day that Wal-Mart marks down their items.