Well, i spent almost three hours looking for one conventional muzzleloader in pawnshops: Nada.

Last place i'd look for a gun.

Actually I have very large hands - just like my dad. And you know what they say about guys with big hands? Yep, you're right - large gloves! And also, the last time I looked PA was not a southern state..

Pennsylvania Rifle/Kentucky Rifle. Same thing.

Blasphamy - It was a long walk from KY to Lancaster, PA to get a good Pennsylvania Long Rifle. But at least the Kentuckians knew were to get a good rifle. And Ol Daniel Boone's PA homestead was only ab out 60 miles from me. He took his PA long rifle to KY as he pioneered the area and, although not the founder, he blazed the Cumberland Trail in TN & KY.

Was talking with two friends this morning and mentioned the need for a conventional muzzleloader. My friend Chuck said he had a TC New Englander .50 and would sell it for $150, what he paid for it. He had gotten the gun second hand in a its original box. His wife threw the box away, but thats ok.

I bought the gun; its very clean and looks new. i'm not crazy about the tupperware stock; may try to find a wood stock. The ramrod is not the right one; its too short. i'll make an aluminum ramrod. My bullet problems are solved: There is a big box full of Maxi-Hunter and Maxi-Ball 320, 350 and 370 grain bullets bought cheap at Wal-Mart cheap after BP season was over. Also have lots of Winchester #11 magnum primers bought cheap at W-M. Sometime hoarding does pay off.

Bronko, you are right there is no problem cocking the gun with my left hand. Any recommendations for loads using Pyrodex RS?

Falcon, congrats on your purchase. Now as for powder charges, don't go dumping large amounts of powder down the bore. Be methodical in your load development. Start with one bullet weight and 70 gr of powder (by volume not weight). Work your way up in 10 gr increments. Take lots of patches and alcohol and swab between each shot for consistancy. Shoot 3 shots with each load. You should see your groups possibly start out large, tighten up and then begin to open up again. Keep a log so you will remember what the best load is for that bullet. Do the same with each bullet weight. You may want to measure your groups to go back later and try to duplicate.

Congratulations on your purchase and good luck with your new rifle.
I look forward to seeing how it shoots. Do you know the twist rate of the barrel?

Thanks, Bronko.

i think its 1:48"

Definitely 1:48. The .50 New Englander I had really liked Hornady 410 grain Great Plains flat point conicals over 70 grains of Pyrodex RS. Unfortunately, Hornady no longer makes them. It did almost as well with the 385 grain Great Plains hollow points.