I just purchased a Lyman Great Plains rifle in .54 cal and flintlock, and I highly recommend the "Great Plains Hunter" version because of the peep sites available and the fast 1-32" rifling. Click the "Black Powder" button at this site: http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/

It is an excellent rifle, and the "Hunter" version of this rifle has a fast 1-32" rifling for conical bullets. The Hunter model comes drilled and tapped for their special blackpowder tang site, which is basically a peep site, which should qualify as open sites and give you the kind of accuracy you need out to at least 200 yards if not better. I say that because US Army M16s come with peep sites and we routinely busted pop-up targets out to 300 yards. You will have to order the sites extra, but it would be worth it.

The Great Plains Hunter is available in either percussion or flint, so take your choice. A .54 caliber is definitely preferred for elk sized game, and maxis, minis, and sabot-styled bullets give maximum energy retention past 100 yards (of course).

My rifle (Great Plains Rifle) has the 1-60" rifling designed for patched round balls, but I purchased it so I could also obtain the "replacement" barrel which only has the 1-32" rifling. This way I can have a barrel for either type of projectile. Way cool![&:]

Kenneth