To me especially for a newcomer cap and ball is the way to go. Enough of a learning curve by itself without dealing with flint and priming compound and shooting technique.
I think Thompson Center still has a very good rep for front loaders, I have a Renegade model, 54 cal. I've had for probably 30 years, been pondering breaking it out and shooting it this summer, hasn't been out in quite a long time.
Also been thinking of getting some sort of small caliber front stuffer. A squirrel rifle so to speak, maybe 36 cal or so.
There's a lot of good ones out there and black powder is a lot more forgiving in some respects like power but less forgiving in other respects like powder storage etc.
You've renewed my desire to get mine out again. They are a lot of fun and you can shoot all day long pretty cheap too.
I got a 50 too, marketed by Sears I think, never shot that one yet, might have to do that too.
And bless you for turning your nose up at those new fangled inlines. They ain't muzzle stuffers for real no how.
Our ancestors would have turned their noses up at those too. But probably would have bought one anyhow for speed and ease of use.
In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
Cue sound of Head slap.
RIP Muggsy & TMan
"If you are a warrior legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that JOCKO will not come today."