Current combo: CVA Wolf with Burris Fullfield IV 2.5-10x
Approximate cost for both was $400
If I had to do it over again I would move up to CVA Optima or Accura and scope with better glass. I grossly underestimated how much fun and how effective it would be.
My 18 year old son and I got into muzzle loading this year after waiting for technology to catch up to what we were willing to accept/tolerate. I will accept being called lazy, but the bottom line is that we just did not see joy in the maintenance they required until we found the combination we use.
What did it for us is an inline with 209 primer ignition, Blackhorn 209 powder, and Barnes bullets.
We can shoot this combo over and over again maintaining great accuracy, and the bullet still seats without requiring a gorilla (me) to jam it down the barrel. My friends that would invite me to shoot their rifles with pellets and saboted bullets were happy to get off a few shots without having to clean. We can fire 20 shots and still seat the bullet easily on shot #21 because of the bullet and powder combination we use.
In our journey and research it got interesting with break action and 209 ignition (we chose CVA), then got more interesting without the plastic build up of sabot bullets (Powerbelt then Barnes was even better), and became a game changer when we discovered Blackhorn 209 powder.
This is our first full year using it, so I absolutely do not claim to be an expert. The CVA is just the brand we chose, and the trigger (already mentioned) and accuracy exceeded our expectations. It blows my mind what we are doing with a setup costing less than $400.
No matter what make/model of 209 ignition break barrel you choose, I strongly recommend getting away from saboted bullets due to the plastic build up they cause (not to mention performance), and recommend Blackhorn 209 powder as the biggest game changer. I was impressed with White Hots pellets and could accept those, but the Blackhorn 209 powder made me wish we had a few years head start on our muzzle loader adventure. It is so much easier to clean and you can go so much longer without having to clean when you are trying to enjoy yourself on the range.
Our first score was a nice wild boar at night. We hunt pigs at night all year so I chose Burris with illuminated reticle. At the time I did not know how much fun we would be having so I was trying to keep cost down. As always, get the best optic you can reasonable afford/justify.
It was a lot of trial and error on our part but we are now hooked and having a blast together with our CVA. I will be buying an Accura this year and will top it with a Vortex scope of some flavor. We now also have two of the CVA Optima 50 cal pistols and they are crazy fun. We hope to score a pig or deer with the pistol over the next two days.
I sure hope that helps give you a head start!