I lost just about everything I had in the downturn and thanks to being 62 and SSI things are looking up. I lost more great rifles than you can imagine, like Rich, "Idhao Sharpshooter", can tell you.
I want to get back in to black powder via muzzel loaders fairly inexpensively. I have seen a bunch of TC Hawkins in 45 and 50, percussion. Questions...can I shoot mini's in them and since I am only going to paper punch do I pick a 45 or 50?

Another Buhl guy. I got a lot of moulds so when you get your new rifle let me know i will let you try some bullets. If you look at some of my posts in the Muzzleloader area above you will see some of my stuff. Ron

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Don't forget to consider twist rate. I shoot a 50 cal. TC Renegade. I have a 1:48" twist, 28" long barrel for "maxi's", and a 30" long 1:66" twist barrel for round ball. I have not used the 1:48" twist barrel for many years. If you are just going to shoot targets I would suggest using a slow twist barrel and patched round ball for best accuracy at 100 yds.

If you are going to punch holes in paper, I suggest round 45 cal. Round Balls with 40-60 grains of FFFG black powder.

If you are going to start reaching out some distance, then some sort of conical might be in order.