what to buy?

[oldrookie]

I am new to muzzleloading and started with an inline. To broaden the experience, I am interested in shooting a little more traditional. It appears my next purchase might be percussion. Any recommendations out there that won't break the bank? I would like light weight, shorter barrel and primarily shoot round balls.

thanks for any suggestions

[Snowshoe]

I would go with the Lyman Deerstalker. It has a 24" barrel weighs 7 lbs, and has a 1 in 48" twist that will shoot balls and conicals. I have been using one in .50 cal for the past 16 years, and have just got a Lyman Trade rifle in .54, that has the same twist, but has a 28" barrel and weighs in at 8 lbs. They are good guns and not too expensive.

[forest2]

ya know, I don't mean to be rude Bill, but your question is like a Vegas gambler, where's the dice gonna fall?

 this forum is very current. many folks that favor traditional bp arms read and post here.
 The best answer to your query is to just spend a few hours reading back posts. From my experience current posts can become argumentative, while past posts or archives have much shared knowledge. I could tell you the best gun to buy, or I could tell you to buy my gun. Or you could decide what's best to buy from the collective knowledge of years worth of shared information.

 it's all here pal,,really.

light and short? roundball? T/C Hawkin-Renegade or Lyman/Cabelas Hawkin either kit or factory. 1-48 twist or an old CVA mountain rifle or Traditions. the only differance is tc and lyman have a coil spring lock and cva/trad have a leaf spring lock.after-market parts are avaivable to all of the above.

[Landngroove]

I can recommend the following, as I own, and shoot them regularly. T/C White Mountain Carbine, in .54 caliber. 1 in 48" twist, 21" barrel. (WMC .50 cal. has either a 1 in 20", or 1 in 38" twist, and don't shoot roundballs well). T/C  New Englander Rynite 1 in 48" twist, 24" barrel, .50, or .54 caliber. Lyman Deerstalker, 1 in 48" twist, 24" barrel, .50, or .54 caliber. I shoot patched round balls in these three ML's in .54 caliber,  and like them all. 

[oldrookie]

Thanks all. I think I am dialed in on the Lyman trade rifle with percussion in 54 caliber. Looking forward to the change. Although I enjoy my inline this will add a little character to the experience.