Picking out new rifle help needed

[Thunder14]

The Pedersoli Blue Ridge Hunter from Cabela's fits your budget, in percussion https://www.cabelas.com/product/Pedersoli-Blue-Ridge-Percussion-Rifles/1608547.uts?slotId=1
It's about 10% higher when you get it in flintlock https://www.cabelas.com/product/Pedersoli-Blue-Ridge-Flintlock-Rifles/1608552.uts?slotId=2

Sometimes...., in January, Cabela's puts then on sale.

LD

Yep I keep an eye out at cabelas for deals I think I’m going to stay with Dixon’s I would rather spend my money with them. big corporations aren’t for me.I use to Stop in at Cabelas years ago in Sydney Nebraska when it was nothing but a house that i enjoyed.

 

[Thunder14]

You need a handful of basic tools to build a gun - certainly nowhere near $1000, much less $5000...
A few chisels, files, rasps, sandpaper, drill & bits, taps, vice with padded jaws and a mallet.

Ya tools i have ,knowledge is what I’m short on LOL

 

[nattie bumppo]

I got into bp to get better with my modern firearms. Shooting flintlock teaches you follow through because of the relatively long hammer travel, ignition time, and projectile barrel exit. You learn patience in hunting. That follow up shot can take a while.

I started with the cabela's pedersoli pennsylvannia in 50 cal. One hundred yard shoots were doable. Then I got hooked. I get great satisfaction from closing on my target and taking it out with one round. Not to sound heretical here on a bp forum but my go to for SD and buck hunting is the AR platform. After I get my buck I meat hunt with my flinter.

I bought a 54 smooth built by Chip Curtis out of Cross Plains Tn. My smooth provides humane kills to 70 yards on deer. Shotgunning is limited to 20 yards on small game so far. Best decision I have made in bp. Mr. Curtis has forgot more about bp than I will ever know and has been an excellent source of knowledge. My 50 cal was given to a young man who is interested in bp but a starving student.

I know that there are monetary considerations but do your best to find a local builder or as previously mentioned join a club. Probably find a used gun from a local owner in your price range. The chance of you finding a knowledgeable clerk at a box store is low. The chance of you finding a builder who will explain things to and assist his customer is high.