Bearing in mind that I' m going to quote Cabela' s prices, which are usually a
bit higher than what I see in my local stores, I' d make the following suggestions
for your price range and requirements. These are in no perticular order,
as I' d say you should use this only as a guide in the right direction. Go to
your local sporting goods store and handle each rifle before you make
your decision...

CVA Optima in blue/black: $189 at Cabela' s, I' ve seen it for $159 locally. It is similar to the T/C Encore.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...ainCatcat20712

Thompson/Center Wildcat .50cal w/ starter kit (blue/black): $230

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...ainCatcat20712

T/C Black Diamond .50cal w/ starter kit (blue/black): $330

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...ainCatcat20712

CVA Hunterbolt .50cal w/starter kit (blue/black): $200

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...equestid=52448

Remember that the $300 you have to spend has to cover not only the rifle but
all of the other crap you need to shoot it. You drop all your money and with
what you have get a pretty nice rifle, but have no way to load or shoot it.
I think that for a first rifle on a limited budget don' t be quick to spend a lot
on the rifle, but splurge on quality accessories that will make shooting it an
easier and more pleasant experience. The ramrods that many ML' s come
with usually suck, so you' ll want to get a decent ramrod and maybe even a
range-only ramrod to make your life easier. The starter kits are OK, but I' d
even suggest visiting a good outfitter and getting hooked up with better stuff.
A short list of basic items you' ll want to get include:

1.) Decent ramrod if the ML' s stock ramrod sucks. Most stock ramrods will
take loading just fine unless the bore/bullet fit is tight or fouled, but in my experience
fail quickly when used with a cleaning jag. The ends usually pull out with repeated use as a cleaning rod.

2.) Good brass powder flask and 120 grain matching powder measure
designed to complement each other. It may be more expensive than a
cheapo plastic flask and measure, but they are durable and last forever.
Might as well get a good one as you' ll use it for every shot you ever fire
unless you can afford pellets.

3.) A good brass entended cleaning jag and .50cal bore brush. Makes
cleaning at the range and at home a lot easier, and the extended length
jag allows you to have more of the ramrod exposed to improve your grip.
I' ve found that standard ramrod accessory threads match those on the
Hoppes shotgun cleaning rod, which itself makes a good range rod.

4.) A screw-on bullet pushrod adapter and guide. This accessory allows you
to ram modern bullets without deforming the tip and often fit the bore closely
to guide and seat the bullet straight in the bore. They make several
different types of bullet adapters for different kinds of bullets (like
polymer spitzer style vs. wide hollow point). Get the type based on the type
of bullet you intend to shoot.

5.) .50cal cleaning patches, and lots of them. I like the ones put out by
Precision Rifle. They are more expensive but I' ve found they fit perfectly,
but there are cheaper bulk substitutes. Cleaning a muzzleloader at the
range and at home is very important as fouling can make the
muzzleloader impossible to load and BP and BP substitutes are very corrosive.

6.) If the ML you choose doesn' t have an easily accessable primer pocket
then you should consider a 209 capper/decapper to save you a lot of time
and hassle. If you choose a ML like the Optima then a capper/decapper
shouldn' t be necessary.

7.) Unless the ramrod you choose has a built in T-handle, you might strongly consider
getting a palm saver. This allow you to ram a tight bullet/sabot smoothly
without turning your palm into hamburger at the range.

8.) Breach plug anti-seize grease. You MUST have this when reinstalling
your breach plug. Use it generously on the threads or you' ll pay for it later.
The Knight grease is too expensive and kinda sucks. I don' t know from experience
what is better as I' ve been trying to use up the big tube I' ve got.

Getting quality accessories will make your shooting experience much better.
Pretty much any inline on the market will shoot well regardless of price.
The more expensive models just have higher overall quality and nicer fit and
finish. I have a Traditions Buckhunter that, if I' m having a good day, will shoot
1.5" groups with Hornady conicals and it only cost me $150 on clearance at Wal-
Mart. The receiver machining and barrel finish isn' t great, but the barrel is
good and that' s what really counts.

Good Luck,

Mike