I must agree with red lion on the 30-06 it is the most versitle rifle out there you can hunt just about any animal out there with it. Between the light loads and the heavy there is nothing in North America it won't handel.

As for muzzle loader I would keep away from a flint lock for a first gun as these can be tough to use in a hunting situation. Your best bet starting out would be an inline and If I may suggest a T.C. Omega. I have been shooting muzzle loaders for over 30 years and I have never found a more reliable and accurate muzzle loader. There are a lot of muzzle loaders on the market today but you will never find one with the warrenty that T.C gives a life time warrenty parts and labor to every owner of their guns you don't have to have bought it new something wrong ever its covered. Now there has to be a reason they can do that.