I have an opprotunity to get an Austin Halleck Muzzleloader in the next few weeks for($400). This will be a first for me. I have never owned a muzzleloader. The type is 1 of 500 Hand Select Classics. What should I look for and is this a good price. The one that I have looked at in the box has some beautiful wood but wood does not kill deer.

GPHC, there beautiful guns and the wood is just awsome. But, I just bought the model 320 with the synthetic stock cause I just use it for hunting. I got it from bass pro for $198. It's the same gun without the pretty stock. I havn't shot it yet because I couldn't find any scope bases locally. Everyone was sold out. There on order and should be in tomorrow.

GPHC, I would check out Bass Pro if all you want is a good shooting ML for hunting. If you want a good looker to shoot at a range with and have everyone admire how great the gun looks go the other way. I purchased the A&H 420 S/N with the standard grade of curly maple, it was pretty! The stock cracked on the left side at the end of the forearm, where the wood gets thin at the top, next to the barrel. Don't know how it happened but it's not covered by warranty. Apparently it can happen if the gun falls sideways onto the barrel. So I purchased their synthetic Realtree Hardwoods stock, looks great. Their warranty on all the rest is terrific. The receiver was drilled and tapped off a bit and they replace the whole assembly, new barrel, etc. Now I just need to find that sweet load.

Flatland Hunter
All muzzle loaders do that one thing . . . stuff it from the front!! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>