RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
Make sure you read the owner's manual and follow the loadrecommendations. That goes for anyone and any rifle you purchase, not just a BPI product. Also there are load recommendations on the powders you buy. Hodgdon's for instance does not recommend more then 100 grains of pellet/powder.
There have been a lot of controversy over the Spanish Barrels. You can take it for what it is worth. You can read the warnings of the BPI barrels and stay away from them or you can make your own decision, as you did and purchase one. I own a CVA Staghorn and never shoot over 100 grains of Goex 2f and a 300 grains sabot. It shoots excellent, but I do not push it to magnum abilities.
Good luck with your rifle.