The all-in-one package guns, like the Thompson/Center Black Diamond, seem to be a good value. They come with everything you need to get started, and most of the kit items are decent quality. I didn't buy kit setup when I first started, but looking back it would have been nice to have had something to get going in the right direction. T/C muzzleloaders are known for their quality and accuracy, and I don't think the Black Diamond is an exception.

I currently own a Traditions Buckhunter .50 and this year "upgraded" to a Knight DISC .50 w/thumbhole stock, which I absolutely love. Looking at all the different brands I liked the Knights the best, and got a really good deal on mine ($330 w/thumbhole).

As far as recoil, that really depends both on the rifle and how you choose to load it. My Traditions only liked to shoot big heavy conicals (460gr Great Plains), and with 100 grains Pyrodex Select and no recoil pad, it bucked like a mule (but hit like a freight train), similar to a 3" Mag shotgun slug gun. With the Knight I'm shooting 235 grain sabots with 100 grains 777 3F, and it kicks with authority, but with the recoil pad it it feels much like a standard 12ga shotgun slug and isn't uncomfortable.

Muzzleloading is a fun and rewarding way to hunt.

Enjoy,

Mike


Gun control means putting the second bullet through the same hole as the first- Ted Nugent
NRA Member
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -Ben Franklin