not knocking lyman, never handled one, seen a few .when i go to range with say, 15 other shooters,i lay my T/C HAWKINS .50CAL FLINTLOCK on my sand bag.its like E.F.HUTTON ,ha. everyone stops talking and looks. most get a nasty look on their faces.why, well, i will let you be judge of that.today, most people have to show off to live.thats life today. i never did but i am from the OLD SCHOOL.it does feel good in one way when people look at you with that look on their faces, drolling, wishing, dreaming,that they had a TC HAWKINS.i have seen that look for 35 years now.i paid 119 for my hawkins new in 1971.it is still gauranteeded.all those years.i am not knocking any flintlock, cheap or expensive but you will most likely have flintlock the rest of your life.TC HAWKINS .50CAL is expensive, around 600 new.but a very nice FEELING, LOOKING,SHOOTING gun.back in 1971, i had pick of about 10 different muzzleloaders .i knew NOTHING about the guns, nothing. i stood at rack and pulled all 10 off,put them to my shoulder.guess what, the only one that FELT good and balanced was the TC HAWKINS. that was it. i know of where there is a used .50cal hawkins in great shape for 350 dollars but they may take 300.if you are interested,pm me. take care.