Originally Posted by hunters_life

Cheapest is the key word when it comes to Traditions rifles. Based on every one I have seen, and that is quite a few, they are bottom of the barrel in quality. Most of my sidelocks are .50cal but I have a couple of .45's that I would sooner part with my right arm than them. About the best starter BP rifle I could recommend for you would be to search the net or papers for a used Thompson Center Renegade in .50cal. I've taken many whitetail and black bear with mine and a few caribou and a couple of elk as well. Some with patched round ball and others with maxi ball. Not to mention I don't know how many hogs. It's one of my more accurate BP rifles, carries very well, highly maneuverable, and quite versatile in loads. My dads old TC Hawkin that he had green mountain barrels cut a custom 1:28 twist for is just about as accurate but not quite as versatile in loads. What it will shoot, it shoots very well.