Well, I don't know. I saw what the high end Thompson's were costing when I ordered my CVA Wolf for $139.99 last week. I don't think I would want to cough up that much for a muzzleloader that I will probably be using to hunt with for no more than 2-3 days a year. Especially since some of the low-priced guns can shoot pretty darn good themselves from what I have been hearing and seeing. I guess it all depends what we want and are in to. I myself can't justify buying a muzzleloader that will surely shoot 1 1/4 inch or better groups when one can purchase a much cheaper one that will probably do worse, but not worse enough to make any real difference while hunting. And if I find out I don't really like that cheapo gun, or that it's a lemon, it will be NO big deal since it didn't cost much more than a decent pair of shoes or less than what I spend on a normal weeks worth of groceries.