Easier to clean is not always such a good deal. From what I read, you find posts where someone discovers rust or fowling in their triggers,hammers, safety, etc on the break open, drop blockmodels. That's because some of them parts are not removed and broken down, each time you shoot and clean the rifle.

On my hammer striker model inlines, granted they might fowl more... No argument there. But when I clean the rifle it basically comes apart. Each piece that must be cleaned is easy to disassemble and reassemble after you have them spotless and protected. I personally think that is one reason I like the open breech model rifles. They take longer to clean, but when they are clean, you are sure they are clean. You do not find a small rust spot weeks later in some far out of the way to get to place.

Also they are more easy to understand when there is a problem with them. And normally cheap to purchase. Perhaps that is why I never traded in my Black Diamond XR for an Omega...

About the only problem with a thumb hole stock that I can see is that it makes it downright difficult to impossible to shoot on the off shoulder. I have shot from the other side enough to take this into account.

You will have to pony up a few more bucks than the $400 you mentioned, but the Savage ML10-II is the best bet for you. You don't have to use black powder, but can use smokeless instead. No messy cleanup, just the same things you do to your cartridge rifle, plus cleaning the breechplug occasionally. No corrosive residue that rots the innards and ruins your accuracy and you also get higher velocity with less recoil than any BP muzzleloader. From Natchez they start at about $435 and you can get a stainless version for a bit more. Savage says they will get 1 1/2" accuracy at 100yd out of the box with the proper loads and I and most of the guys I know have found that to be true with their guns.

The Savage will work fine with BP or subs as well, but if you are willing to put up with the mess and the lower performance of BP you might as well get a NEF Sidekick for about half the price. Its a US made gun and the break open design is a lot easier to clean than most.

I say keep the black diamond and get a good sidelock. Of course that's my preference with MLs. I just like the looks and feel of a T/C Hawken or Renegade in flint or percussion.

"Unless your TC Black Diamond is worn out do not buy a replacement. If it is worn out then buy another Black Diamond. IMO you cannotbuy amore accurate and reliable muzzleloader. Spend the gun replacement money hog hunting.

I have a Black Diamond XR and have to agree.. I could buy more inlines but not find one that would shoot as well as my BD.

I will tell like the rest and on this thread. I have the BD XR Express, have never tried to find its full accuracy yet. I just don't think they make a more accurate ML. Don't matter if yer hunting or shooting targets. Plus they seem to have great accuracy with most any projectile setup you use. I haven't tried conicals yet, have shot sabots and prb and it certainly shoots a min. of deer![:-]