My friend owns a Cabela's Hawkins in .54 caliber. It too was a kit when he got it. Being a carpenter, he put it together with care and really did a nice job on the rifle. It is a beautiful rifle. And a very good shooter. He's taken a lot of deer with it. It was an excellent roundball shooter. I shot it quite often at the group shoots. No recoil because of the shape of the stock. His was a percussion cap model though.

The Cabela's Hawkins in made by Investarms Inc. They same company that makes Lyman Rifles. It is the Trade rifle basically. I own a flintlock Trade Rifle and it is a great shooter with its 1-48 twist. I have one in .54 and one in .50. Both are great shooters. The lock is very fast and dependable.