Hi all, I am a hunter who shoots with centerfires and bows, but am looking for a new challenge and muzzeload hunting and shooting sounds like a truck-load of fun.
The thing is - What type of muzzleloader should I get as a begginner?
Someone here in Aussies suggested I get a ZUAVE type rifle? What do you learned gentlemen/Ladies
think?
Adrian

There is nothing wrong with having a Zouave as a first muzzleloader. The projectile is pretty heavy and it is a rather rainbow trajectory but is still usually a very accurate rifle. Bullets here in the US can be ordered from various companies but a high percentage of us cast our own. (I shoot a 3 band Enfield) Heck I'm hard pressed to find a reason not to have a Zouave. Accurate, reliable, reasonably easy to clean and above all just plain fun to shoot.

AJ-1, If you think you ever want to play mountain man, and shoot in trailwalks, you will want a pretty traditional gun--such as the Zoave, and many others. Get what really appeals to you, as you may keep a good one a long time---and will have the most fun with what you like best. Once I bought my first (a Great Plains-Lyman kit), I never looked back--it is still my favorite and has had a LOT of powder through it...Have fun. Lifes' short--Eat dessert first!! Chuck

AJ1, you are very fortunate in Australia to have the Green River Rifle Works located in your country. I have a rifle with one of their barrels, and it is outstanding. I suggest you contact them concerning your needs. They make a replica of the Baker rifle, the first standard-issue British Army rifle (circa 1800). It is a flintlock, and would provide about the same performance as a Zouave, but with flint ignition rather than using caps. In Australia, I would think a flinter would be no handicap, since you have a lot of pretty dry country there. http://www.picknowl.com.au/homepages/vaisham/

[ 07-14-2003, 22:35: Message edited by: eldeguello ]