Start by sending him a certified letterstating that he has so many days/weeks to return the rifle and the $500 cash or you wil proceed with legal action. If he doesn't return your property within the given time frame, start by filing a theft report with your local law enforcement. From there, you might want to contact the police/sheriffs department within his home town and see what kind of steps you need to take to file a report with them. If you shipped the muzzleloader to him via the U.S. Postal service, you might beable to get them involved some how. This kind of situation can be tricky andfrustrating with you living in one state and him, and his business, in another.