I also got one during the Cabela's sale for $100 after rebate. I like it. Its plenty accurate enough. I shoot the .430" 300 gr XTP with Green Harvester CR sabot and 100 gr of Pyrodex P.
Is it the best ML out there? Heck no, not by a long shot. But so far I've found it to be reliable, accurate and easily cleaned and maintained.
As for the ramrod issue, I installed a brass tip for loading Powerbelt hollow points and cut off the little 1/4" long tip of it, leaving just the six sided stub. It still fits under the barrel flush with the muzzle and I can use the hole in my ball starter to seat the bullet on top of the charge and have enough of the rod sticking out of the muzzle to grab.