Hello all,

In the near future I'll be having $450 to spare for a couple firearms. About $200-250 will be for a new NEF/H&R Handi rifle, the remaining I'm concidering spending on a smoke pole.

...so with $200 or there abouts, I'd like to get a "beginner's kit". My intentions are using it for whitetail, target, and lobbing big slugs at woodchuck.

Here in PA, we have two muzzleloader seasons, the early one is any type of smoke pole. The late is flintlock only. I'm not too interested in the late season because all the deer are pretty much spooked to death after having made it through 1st muzzleloader, archery, and normal hunting seasons.

I'd like a stainless model of some sort. Type of action isn't really a worry. The ability to shoot 150gr of powder would be nice. Must be 45cal or bigger(50 prefered). Would like something that'll hold up to the test of time.

I'm not a complete newbie to these, I do own a cap&ball revolver that I shoot from time to time. And I've shot my uncle's m-loaders alot at the range on the farm.

Inexpensive suggestions please??

Ok here's my advice !www.natchezss.com I have several inlines , 45 & .50 using sabot's they are deadly at 200 yards CVA's are great & cheap top of the line is Savage 10ML-II .50 they shoot smokeless or BLK ! I know a person who had a Knight ! My CVA out shot it !my have been him not being a good shot ? I have flint / percussion / the new 209 primed rifles are tops using Hodgdon Trip 7 3F

NEF has a muzzleloading combo if you are buying a 243 or a 12 ga.

Also check out White's muzzleloading rifles. Doc makes great rifles and has kits available for the price range you are looking.

They are really quality rifles and shoot well.

Ted

wow.. fast replies!!

I'll definately take into concideration all the suggestions.

MoreBS, the NEF combo is a possibility for sure. Or at least sending in what ever receiver and stocks for their Barrel Accessary program.

Knight0334,

The H&R muzzle loaders are pretty accurate from what I've heard at the range. A friend of mine has had good luck w/ 777 pellets and TC cheap shot 240 grn sabots in his H&R.

You should go to Wal-mart and ask to look at their gun catalog, they'll have the Handi Rifles and the Smokepolls listed and their prices are hard to beat. I believe H&R has two different MLers but, I'm not sure what the names of each are.

You also may want to just buy the Handi rifle and then Buy the MLer Barrel from H&R. The barrels are pretty cheap but, you may have to have them put it on to ensure a proper fit. After they install the barrel then, you can easily swap barrels.

Good Luck!

Reloader

I had an original Huntsman back in the '70s. It was a .58, used conventional percussion caps, and handled both roundball and Minies pretty well. The H&R Combo ought to serve nicely http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/index.php?cat=2&subcat=33 If you start with their centerfire rifle frame they will fit extra centerfire or shotgun barrels for you at the factory http://www.hr1871.com/barrelAcc/index.htm Seems as good a starter gun as any in your price range. Good hunting!

I think I'm gonna get a Handi 45-70, then ship in my receiver and stocks for a stainless BP barrel. Then later send in for a .223 or 22-250 and a 30cal of some sort.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

also, I'm probably gonna get a .25acp breechplug too.