... into the world of traditional muzzleloading. I've been doing my research and listening to some good advice on this board and decided I wanted to buy a percussion model Hawken rifle. I was thinking about getting a .50 caliber from Cabela's, but then, I went to the gunsmith today.

Was there to have him look at my Grandpa's old Stevens 12 guage, which they're going to reblue and check over for me. Been sitting in my Grandma's basement for 30 plus years.

Anyway, I asked him if he sold traditional muzzleloaders and he said he actually had a Hawken in stock. He pulled off the shelf and it was beautiful. Nice wood and metal work. He told me it's a used .45 caliber Thomson Hawken that his friend owned. It came with the buckskin sling and a "starters kit" of sorts that included everything I need to get started. The price - $335.

Now, I think that's a good deal. Would cost me $600-$700 new at least. The gunsmith is very reputable and regarded as one of the best in the state. I trust his word when he says, you can buy a new Hawken somewhere else for a little less, but you won't get the quality of the Thompson. What do you guys think?