Get a set of plans from the Museum in Ms and build one, it is much more rewarding and you can build to any level of quality and accurate to history.

Thanks. We are taking a look at some of those mentioned. So far he is still drooling over the Maple Stock RM Hawken at Cabelas. Although, he has always been one to change his mind and it will be hard for him to pass up on one of the $700 dollar choices when he earns that much.

We have another question. I think he will want to shoot traditional round ball. However, he does understand that accuracy and a quick kill are also important. He is even willing to sacrifice a bit of range to be traditional as he does with the long bow. Do they make a Hawken with a rate of twist suitable for more modern bullet choices?

a .54cal round ball will kill an elk out to 150+ yards with good behind the shoulder shot placement.

The Lynam Great Plains Hunter rifle comes with a 1 in 32 inch twist. Or you can buy an aftermarket barrel for a TC Hawken/Renegade from Green Mountian Barrels that has a 1 in 28 inch twist.

Cabela's also sells this rifle with a 1 in 24 twist.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Misso...h-All+Products

I bought a thompson center hawken 54 cal like new here in rhode island ,at a bait/gun store for 150.00...like new......like everyone said its a great thing to save and buy what you like...1200 alot for a kid..alot of guns used in like new shape in the 250-450 range...if he's got his heart set on it you'll never change it though, good to hear he into it...

i bought a tc hawken, a new englander, 2 renagades 50cal and 56sb, a big bore 58. most I payed was 200.00 dollars...no one wants the side locks anymore to hunt there all going inline...gun shops are takeing them in for a trade in for 100.00

I am not going to knock a rifle that I know very little about. And I admit that I know very little about that Cabela's rifle.

However here is what I do know for sure. You said your son was a stickler for tradition?? Then take a look at a custom made TVM rifle. They can build him a period correct(fully period correct) custom rifle for less money, or about the same amount of money you are loking to spend on one of the Cabela's rifles.

Take a look at TVM's web site. They have all types of period correct rifles that they make, market, and sell.
I ahve an Early Lancaster style FL rifle on order right now with Premium select grade maple and a swamped barrel with a custom lock and a Rice barrel for about $100 more than that cabela's rifle. And I promise you the TVM will hold it's value considerably more. And will be period correct. Completely period correct if that is what I want. Take a look. I bet your son will find an older rifle that he will really like.

I also have a Southern Poor boy custom rifle. And you can get one of those for considerably less than the Cabela's rifle. Take a good look at TVM. Tom.