Wow! Thank you to everyone for all the responses and advice so quick! I really do appreciate all the help and guidance.
To Alden- I will keep your experience with TVM in mind. However, through my research I think I know too much now to go with a production gun! I know there are many custom/semi-custom builders out there that I need to research; I've only started to scratch the surface.
To Galamb- I was always confused at to what exactly constituted a "school". Even if the rifle I finally settle one does not fit a particular maker or exact region to a "T", I think I will be ok with that, but I still want something representative of a general time period and region. I almost think now that the "collage" style of the semi-custom makers you referred to appeals to me now. Like you said, price really adds up quick though! In looking at the TVM Southern, I thought, "well, it would sure look pretty in brass, and then a patchbox might compliment it really well..."
To 54Ball- Thank you so much for posting that segment! That sums up about perfectly what I am looking for in my first rifle, even though I struggled to put it into words. I kinda-sorta know the direction I want to go, but struggled to figure out what style or period it was, which has ultimately come to influence my decision. I was not aware that this period was the "golden age" of longrifles, but like the article said, the gentle curves and overall stock shape, and of course that looong barrel. I'm glad it also gives a little direction in terms of swamped vs. tapered vs. straight in rifles of this period. Again, huge help and sums up perfectly what I'm looking for.
To rf50cal- Thank you very much for the resources, I honestly wasn't sure where to begin and I definitely want to do some thorough research and see what fits my interests best before I settle on any particular gun. Not to mention the fascinating history behind the progression of the rifle that I'd like to learn anyway.
To tenngun- Thank you for the kind words. I've become so focused on the actual rifle I had only dabbled slightly in the accoutrements to go along with it. But I suppose you're right, as I can't see myself stopping at just the rifle. After all, how true to history can you be if all your accessories don't match the same period? I forsee this as a slippery slope. It might be awhile before I can save up for a proper gun, but after that point, I'm sure it takes off quick!
To Wes/Tex- That fact that you and tenngun both said the same thing about the all the "goodies" to buy/make and different routes to take once I get into this leads me to believe you may have seen before how this turns out! Thanks for the tip about the classifieds section on here. I have no qualms about buying used if it fits the style I'm looking for. Especially on a college budget.
To Many Klatch- I had never heard of NMLRA, or their meeting in Friendship. My family lives in Southwest Ohio, and we have a farm out in Preble county, so we are right close to the Indiana line. I am currently going to school in Ft. Myers, Fl, but I'm going home for the summer and if the dates work out I might just have to go check it out.
To twig- that sounds like a beautiful rifle. I had wanted to look into something in a smaller caliber like your .36, but there's no way I could afford two guns at this time, and I need something that would drop deer, or maybe even hogs if I take the gun to Florida with me. I have thought about building something myself, but not sure that I trust myself to not screw it up! Maybe that's a good thing, as I would be more cautious. I do have friends and neighbors with woodshops and plenty of experience that could guide me, so it might be an option.
To flehto- Being on a college budget, I want to spend as little as possible, but then again, don't we all? I may be young but I have come to learn that quality comes at a price, and also that you don't have to spend a fortune to find something that suits your needs. I am not going to be anal about everything being 100% pc, but I do want it to be damn close. This is why I kind of came to settle on the TVM guns and about a $1,000 price point. That is an absolutely huge sum for me right now, but I would rather wait and save up as opposed to buying something now and being disappointed in the long run. I am definitely not opposed to used guns as well, and I know there are some beautiful ones that show up periodically so I will certainly be keeping an eye out. As far as period and style, I've settled on the time of longhunters and eastern exploration in Kentucky and Tennessee and the Ohio river valley. Call me the stereotypical greenhorn, but the independent styles and forays of Boone, Crockett, and similar men really interest me (I know Crockett and Boone were seperated by a number of years, but hoped the rifle-style between the two might overlap). If I am not mistaken, this puts me in a period of about 1800 up to the F&I War, correct? I cannot discern all the longrifle types precisely, but I know what looks good to me, and I love the Southern Rifle offered by TVM. This would fit this period, correct? I also like the Tennesse style, but it is my understanding this came much later.
To Orthod- Beautiful gun! Not the exact style I think I'll go with for my first but a beauty nonetheless. Which poorboy model is that? I could not find one that seemed to match it on the TVM website, unless it's the "manufacturing" TVM that I'm not familiar with yet. And I share your same view; I don't need an exact replica from the period, but a close interpretation is a must.
To id5054- I've heard of Lodi but couldn't tell you where exactly it is. I'm from just west of Dayton. I'll have to look into the log cabin.
To smo- I am aware that there are two different TVM's, but I am not familiar with the "manufacturing" one. I spelled out the name in my original post to try and clarify. It is the only site I have really checked out so far, I will have to research the "other one".
Sorry to be so long-winded! Ironic that I am supposed to be writing a paper right now and here I sit typing this instead. Thanks again to everyone for the help. This site has already become a valuable resource.