The scope sits a bit high but not uncomfortable, just a bit higher than the other guns I have with scopes. It doesn't take long to get use to the position. If I could find a hammer spur that sticks out like my other son's Optima I think I could go back to a lower ring. Of course the size of the eyebell will be the ultimate determining factor there for you.

As for blame, well I guess if you have too. But do we really need to blame someone or something for a new gun that we really need (and you know we need all these guns we have, right?). This is a hobby and guns are the tools, just like my reloading setup, and there's always a need to upgrade our tooling, right? And muzzleloading is the ultimate expression of reloading so just say it's a new tool you needed for your hobby. Or you could say it's for her and that you want her to join in with your hobby. That worked on my wife, till I got the seventh new tool for my hobby, now I'm on rations for a while. I still haven't got her to go to the range and try out her new gun, oh well, I guess I'll have to keep shooting it so it doesn't feel neglected. Life is rough.