I'm not sure if you are talking of inlines or sidelocks and roundballs...

In inlines, I prefer a .50 because of bulk sabots and bulk 44-45 caliber pistol bullets which can be easily mated together and used for hunting...

When it comes to sidelocks, flintlocks in my case, I prefer a .40 and a .54...The .40 is my small game gun and I go down to 25grs of FFF powder for a charge...A pound of powder will last a long time using that small of a charge...The .54 is my big game rifle...

I don't worry about components because I mold my own balls, buy patching in bulk and make my own lube and cleaner...So I'm spending most of the money on powder and flints...I can get 50-100 shots out of a flint if I take care of it...

As far as money, let's see...I'm self employed, have worked over 30 years and have 3 daughters...
I have bought them 3 cars, paid for 2 college degrees and one Masters and have paid for 2 weddings...

My payback so far??? None were pregnant before marriage, never had to go to jail to bail them out,
have always had very honest and frank conversations with them about boys and sex...I do have a 7 month year old grandson, that's priceless...