The Traditions Woodsman Hawkens is not an entry level rifle. I own two of them. And old one which is a 50 caliber percussion with a 1-66 twist. And a newer model which is a 50 caliber flintlock with the 1-48 twist. The percussion model is a very reliable ignition rifle. The trigger pull is exceptional. And since the rifle is lighter then some of the T/C and Lyman rifles I own, its a pleasure to carry and to hunt with.

In fact I squirrel hunted with the percussion model one winter day. I was over run with pine (red) squirrels. So I sat out on the porch with my shooting sticks. I had discovered that with 40 grains of powder and a roundball it was deadly accurate. Even for snow shoe rabbits. Well I sat there on my porch on a nice warm winter day and shot four squirrels with four shots. The average shot was 25 yards maybe a hair less. All were head shots off the shooting sticks.

My Woodsman Flintlock is an exceptional rifle. A faster lock time, I have not found. It not only shoots roundball very well with the 1-48 twist, but it shoots a .430 240 grain XTP in a MMP HpH 24 sabot and 80 grains of powder so well, I took it deer hunting. I never saw horns that day, but did see a doe that made me itch. But due to lack of deer in the area I had set some standards, so she walked. It would have been an easy shot.

I personally like the Traditions Woodsman Hawkens rifle. They are beautiful wood, very good shooters, and just a real nice rifle for my collection.