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Originally Posted by The_Dunedan
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The biggest disadvantage that all muzzle-loaders share, to some extent, is accuracy. I'd never shoot past 50 yards with the Charleyville; few would. It wasn't designed to be accurate at long range, but rather to hit like a train up close. So I use it in thick brush and woodland, where I'd be unlikely to run into a longer shot to begin with.
One thing you might consider is investing in a Thomson-Center setup, like the Contender or their takedown rifle. You can swap barrels in various calibres, including a .50 muzzle-loader barrel. You can have a rifle, shotgun, and muzzle-loader all on one reciever for fairly little money.
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Some of the new inlines shooting the 203 primers and sabots are pretty darn accurate out to 200 yds or so. Granted you don't have the range of some of some rifles but you can sure make a nice group at 200 yds. You won't see that accuracy shooting ball ammo but with Pyrodex or Triple Seven and some of the new sabot ammo you will be amazed. You can take a moose or a grizzly with a .50 caliber set up I dunno why in the world someone would need a .75
but I bet it's sure fun to shoot!
I've got the Thompson-Center stainless Encore .50 setup and man does it shoot sweet. I'd like to have one of the new Pro series, I like that 1/4 turn breach removal, that would sure make it easier to clean. Their not exactly cheap though. You will pay about as much for the initial barrel and receiver as you will a nice rifle. Then when you decide you want a new or different barrel they cost as much as a decent rifle.
One thing you need to know and to take into consideration is the amount of time you want to spend cleaning after you shoot. Anytime you shoot black powder you will want to clean your gun as soon as possible after shooting because the sulphur in the black powder will eat your barrel up if you don't. Black powder is fun to shoot but it's nasty and smells to high heaven. Pyrodex is somewhat cleaner and you still get the big smokeball after discharge. It's usually a little easier to work with as it comes in pellet form. It still stinks [not as bad] and eats your barrel up [not as bad] if you don't get it cleaned immediately but it is a little more forgiving. Triple-Seven is what I prefer, you get the ease of use because it's in pellet form and it doesn't stink and when it's time to clean your gun it's like cleaning any other gun, no smell and it doesn't leave all the nasty residue that eats your stuff up like the other two. Another plus is when you go in the woods you don't smell like a walking sulphur factory. Good Luck, shooting muzzle loaders is tons of fun.