ORIGINAL: bronko22000
My understanding is NO. Blackpowder firearms can be purchased without a FFL. Now I'm not sure, but there may be an exception to this and that is maybe buying something like an Encore that can be converted to a cernterfire rifle with a change of barrel.
This is correct. An FFL is required for rifles or any gun that can be easily converted to a rifle (like an Encore). Straight ML's are not restricted unless your state restricts them for some reason.