Save the cash and do it right, you have 6-7 months to do it! I have the TC Encore 50 cal 209 Magnum and recently bought a Savage which I can use either Black Powder or Smokeless which I like allot better. With Smokeless, I an shoot 50 shots on Thanksgiving without cleaning and clean it on New Years, can't do that with Black Powder!

CVA, pawn shops are loaded with muzzleloaders these days. I see Knights and CVAs going for 50-150 for new condition barreled muzzleloaders. Look at many pawn shops and ask for permision to examine the barrel on each gun at each pawn shop. Do a little reasearch on the brands you might be interested in and find out how to remove the breech plug on these models. Find a muzzleloader that has a brand new condition barrel or near brand new condition. If there is any rust or pitting, pass and look on. You might invest in the drop in muzzleloader bore inspection light, it drops in and lights the barrel for fast inspection, lots easier than removing the breech plug. CVA is my choice of muzzleloaders, I have three, just like Beekeep says " CVA makes quality rifles, good prices and lifetime warranty"!!

I've read some bad things about the safety of CVA muzzleloaders (see links below). I'd think twice before getting one.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/dangerous_muzzleloaders.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/2009_CVA_update.htm

CVA.... Personally, I'm a fan of the CVA Optima

Beekeeper said it best, great bang for the buck!
I've provided a link ...

http://www.cva.com/

The beak open breech rifles are all the rage right now, but a good bolt action (used or not)like the remington 700 ML
can't be beat.

You can buy a CVA Wolf and it will serve you well. I have a CVA Optima Magnum and other that a few cosmetic things you can't tell them apart except the Wolf barrel is a little shorter and that will hurt you none if you don't shoot round balls.