RE: Traditions PA Pellet flintlock??
First off let me say I know very little about flintlocks. I have shot a number of them and enjoyed it. I just never had the desire to learn to tune them. All my friends who own them tell me not to skimp on the lock. An inexpensive lock I was told by them is nothing but headaches.
Tradition's Rifles on the other hand I do own. I have two of them. Both of them will shoot excellent. I was shooting one the other day in fact and it always amazes me at how accurate a round ball is. Mine are cap locks.
The features of the PA Pellet flintlock is nice I admit. The 1-48 twist would shoot round ball as well as the conicals. They advertise that it will shoot sabots, so I am sure it would. How well is another question. They would have to be a small sabot to stabalize with that twist rate I believe. I was shooting sabots out of my Traditions Pioneer sidelcock with a 1-48 twist. They were 240 grain .44 caliber T/C Cheap Shots, and they shot real good actually. But I was only shooting 25 years and playing around.
The idea of a max load and the removable breech plug for cleaning is fantastic. It would sure make cleaning the rifle a snap. I would not get too excited about the fact it can use pellets. I would never recommend them to anyone. Granted some rifles have two pellets dropped in them and they are nail drivers. Loose powder is still the best way to custom tune your rifle. Also I think it is the cheapest way to go.
If I were shooting a flintlock I would be shooting black powder anyway. I would want the lower ignition point black powder has compared to the other propellents. And the fact it is needed for the pan.
Tradition's has a great warranty, and their customer service is excellent. I had to use them once for a minor problem and they were right there to help. If the lock is good, it would be a great gun. Other good rifles out there are the Lyman Trade Rifle, Lyman Great Plains Rifle and Hunter (the hunter being my favorite), and Thompson Center Arms. But you pay for what you get most of the time. You buy a brand name and you pay a brand name price. CVA makes flintlocks but I have not heard much about the quality of their locks. One thing to keep in mind, you can always change the lock to a better lock.
Which ever rifle you choose, good luck.