I have two muzzelloaders, bought them both when I wasn't looking to buy a gun, but people had one to sell.

First one is a Thompson Center .54 Cal Hawken, percussion cap. (only gave $100 for it, and it's beautiful looking, great stock, great barrel [inside and out]).

Second one is a Thompson Center .54 Cal Thunderhawk (inline, percussion cap, stainless barrel, thumbhole stock, leupold scope, gave $150 for it, good looking gun inside and out).

First off, I didn't get jipped on these buys, did I?

Secondly, what do I need to know about muzzelloading. I'm shooting Jim Shockeys Gold FFG powder in the Hawken, and Pyrodex Pellets in the Thunderhawk. I use T/C Bore Butter and T/C Bore Cleaner (#1000 I think).

Hawken is pretty much retired, just sits in the safe. The thunderhawk is my hunting gun (for muzzleloader season). What would you all suggest for cleaning (how many shots before cleaning? after every shot, every other shot, or what? or just clean after every shot while sighting in, then see how it shoots dirty?)

Plus, should I buy the conversion kit for the thunderhawk to get it to shoot 209 primers, or is it not really that big of a deal. The caps I shoot fire pretty fast, not much delay like there is with the hawken, but what I'm worried about is shooting in damp conditions.

thanks.