By the way live bucks did you get a stainless steel model or the blued. Also how do you rate the fit of the rifle to the lock and frizzen. And what suscess have you had for sure ignition with the rifle. I have been looking at your rifle with terrible thoughts in my mind again..... Although the 1842 rifled musket in .69 caliber does have my interest right now...
I got the synthetic camo stock/ nickel barrel one. Cost me $230 at D&R Sports on the net. The lock and pan fit real tight to the barrel. The flint is in toward the barrel side of the frizzen but I wouldn't know whether that is good or not, (no experience in that area). I like it, but then again I know no better. If I handled and shot a $500 gun I would probably see what the differences are. It has a 1:48 twist I think. Good for conicals and sabots no? It is light and pretty and short too. As for reliability, as I said before, as long as I was generous with the primer amount and put a little against the touch hole it went quick. I cleaned the flint and frizzen every shot with alcohol. I shot 8 loads using powerbelts and did NOT swab at all. The 8th powerbelt went down the barrel as easily as the first, so I didn't see the need. Now THAT is convenient. Next time I shoot I am going to swab between every shot though because I want to replicate the conditions that I will be hunting with, a clean barrel, and see how my groups come together.