ORIGINAL: rustynobles
yeah muzzleloaders are cool, in a novel way, but the're annoying to clean, it takes time to reload, and when you think about it they're not very cost effective to shoot. you can get 24, 50 grain pellets for like $16. you shoot $1.30 away each time you shoot. then a box of 350 grain (at least) projectiles, there's another $15. and you spend that extra $1 a shot. and don't forget primers. anyway, while muzzleloaders are fun, they're expensive in the long run.
True enough, if you choose a modern inline. But with my T/C flintlock:
Hornady or Speer round ball: $0.13 per shot
pre-lubed 0.015" patch:$0.06 per shot
85 gr. Goex FFFg:$0.20 per shot
Missouri Longtrekker flint: $0.02 per shot
Total: $0.41 per shot
This assumes ~50 shots per flint, which is about what I'm averaging so far with Rich Pierce flints, at $1 per flint. Goex black powder came to ~$16.75 per pound last time I ordered, 7 lbs total. Would be a couple dollars less per lb if ordered by the full 25 lbs case. Balls could be practically free after investing $20 in a Lee mold by using scrap lead. Patching will be less after I run out of the store-bought, then I'll be using pillow ticking fabric lubed with a deer tallow & olive oil blend. And with some practice, a feller could knap his own flints [8D]
Not trying to be confrontational; your point is well taken... most folks are going to choose the modern route you referred to. Sure is a lot simpler than the old way. Just wanted to show that muzzleloading can be relatively cheap. Takes a twisted mind like mine to enjoy flintlocking
Well after that shameless attempt to promote a gun with an obsolete ignition system... I agree with the .30-06 Savage vote. You'll be happy with it.