RE: Muzzleloader for Budget-minded newbie
 

Reference sabots out of your 1:48 twist, that will depend on the rifle and the sabots. Some rifles with that twist will shoot sabots just fine. Others, not good at all. I have tried a number of different sabots in my 1:48 twist rifles. All I can say is they shoot all right. I would shoot a deer out to 50 yards with them but I never could tune them for further out.

RE: Muzzleloader for Budget-minded newbie
 

The Deerhunter has shallower grooves than the T/C traditionals so lighter sabots generally shoot well to 100 yards. Mine likes the Precision Sabot/Bullets best. I'm shooting 3" groups at 100 yards with 40/50 240 grain QTs or Dead Centers. My Deerhunter shoots 295 grain Powerbelts just as well. The cheapest place for Powerbelts is Midsouth.com. Here's the link for the Precisions.

http://www.prbullet.com

RE: Muzzleloader for Budget-minded newbie
 

i got a cva optima pro for a little over 300 dollars (with tax) it is a 50 cal. and after a little tinkering is a sweet shooting gun.