With the additional week of Bama and two weeks of Florida muzzle loader season I want to buy one. I want a .50 cal simple loading, simple cleaning at the best value. This will be used also (with supervision) by my grandsons ages 13 and 15 also. Any preferences out there?
Some might think this is a strange recommendation but I would suggest a .54 caliber Lyman Trade Rifle. All you need to use for projectiles is roundball. More then deadly out to 100 yards. Simple to lead as there are no sabots or projectiles to figure out. Dump 90 grains of Pyrodex RS down the barrel, and seat a patched roundball. Since you're starting out and have grandchildren I would suggest a cap lock. This is all the muzzleloader you would need.
The Lyman Trade Rifle will shoot conical if you want to go after bigger game, and mine even shoots powerbelts very well. Mine is a flintlock model, but I'd start with a caplock. (percussion)
Sidelocks are no harder to clean then an inline. In fact I think I can clean a sidelock faster then an inline. You flush the barrel, clean the lock, re-oil it and assemble it again.
Also starting with a traditional rifle will give them a different kind of appreciation for the sport. A traditional is a good starting rifle. They are also recoil friendly since you can load them down and still shoot roundball real accurate.
If it is an inline rifle you want, then get a T/C Omega. For the money, it is a rifle that will last you a life time, and your grandchildren as well. They normally tune in real fast with 100 grains of powder and a 250 grain Shockwave. You can add a scope, they have 209 ignition so they are good about shooting and going off in any kind of weather, they have great resale should you decide down the road you want something different also. Simply because your grandchildren are going to shoot it, then get a Simms Recoil pad and put that on the rifle. It will make it more shooter friendly for them. Also get one with a laminated stock and the extra weight will take the bit out of them as well.
Also don't think the Omega can't be loaded down, but accuracy might suffer a little. I shoot roundball for plinking all the time out of inline rifles with good accuracy and 60 grains of powder (which at close range would be a deer load).
If money is an issue and you just want something that will shoot very well and be a good quality rifle. Then look at the Winchester Apex or CVA Kodiak. Many of the members here have them and report excellent accuracy. They are
normally more reasonable then a Omega.