You are going to get a lot of different suggestions. Do you want to buy him just a Muzzle Loader?? Or do you want to buy a Muzzle Loader and a scope?? Are there are small local dealers in your area that you can trust??

$500 can buy a nice Muzzle Loader without a scope. What type of equipment does he already have?? Do you know?? Is it expensive or inerxpensive equipment---in other words what type of equipment is he use to hunting with?? Tom.