Much will depend on whether you want a gun that is ready to go or are able and willing to build a kit. A kit can save you some money but, if you are not skilled with your hands and know what you are doing, you can take $750 worth of parts and turn them into a $200 gun. So, if you are up to building a kit, I highly recommend jim Chambers' kits. They consist of all excellent parts. Another excellent source for parts or finished guns is Track of The Wolf. There are several others listed in Muzzle Blasts magazine. I also recommend looking over the offerings here on the Forum ads.
Almost all of the modern reproductions are good guns and will make good hunting guns. Some are better than others but all are good. I would stay away from the early modern reproductions that came out in the early 60s. Many of them were just junk. The one exception is the T/C selection of reproduction muzzleloaders. They have been excellent guns from the start. They are not faithful reproductions of any original gun but are nice looking half stock guns......a bit flashy with all the brass but well made and good shooters if they have been well cared for.
If you want a gun for hunting deer, buy a .50 cal. or .54 cal. Any smaller and it may not be legal for deer hunting (this differs by state) any larger and it is overkill. If you want a gun for small game such as squirrel or rabbits, I would recommend something like a .32 cal, or a .36 cal. Any bigger will destroy the game.
