If traditional is what you want to use and simply because there is the chance you might elk hunt, definitely go with the .54 caliber. While you can not get supplies locally, there are on line stores loaded with them. In the traditional field, you will be shooting roundball and conical for 99% of your shooting, so those are easy to get on line and also many times you can get some excellent deals on them..

Also when deer hunting, I think you will really be glad you have the .54 caliber when a deer is standing out there at say 90 yards and you want to pop him with a roundball. The .54 caliber is just superior in knock down in all my years of shooting them. Granted I shoot and hunt with .50 caliber and they do fine, but when it is time to make meat, the .54 caliber alway goes. Now of course the .58 caliber is my favorite roundball rifle..

The .54 caliber really is superior to the .50 when you start shooting roundball and have any distance under you. Those Cabela's .54 caliber Hawkins are nice rifles. My friend hunts with one and that this is an excellent shooter.