It may end up as a hunting rifle which is why I am inclined toward iron.

I have always been amazed at the accuracy of the riflemen during the War for Independence IE: "Morgan's Rifles." What I would like to do is work-up my accuracy to match (come close to!) what these riflemen did, hitting a man sized target at 200 yards. For starters I will need an appropriate firearm. I figure the colonist/riflemen probably carried a plain rifle, so that is what I am considering.