I'd say a VW GTI. Sporty, nice features, practicality, and affordable for what you get.
I see a few on armslist, but nothing green mountain. Id be trading an unmentionable for the Hawken so unless I go through the trouble of selling first I cant pick one up here.
We can quibble bit about the quality of any of them, but the important consideration is the conditiion of the barrel and the function of the lock when the rifle is in your hands. Don't overlook the earlier CVA brands. (CVA and Traditions locks for the Mountain Rifles and their Hawkens have lighter mainsprings which are adequate for percussion locks.) Some people may think the Pedersoli rifle might be priced higher than $600, but it's not really any better than the Lyman Great Plains Rifle.
I'm going to look at the GPR, failing to find one I'll go with one of the many TC variants. Appreciate it!
I am by no means an authority on Hawkin rifles! I can say that to get one that looks close to a real Hawkin will cost you about $1,000 plus ? I haven't priced them lately but I bought mine in 1985 and it was $450.00 if you factor in inflation it will be a steep price?
as you can see you have opened a can of worms and found a hornets nest but I'll add my opinion you can't go wrong with a used TC, CVA, Lyman, the new Traditions are good guns just not in the same class. In my opinion the holy grail is a USA CVA mountain rifle find one and you'll never look back
A Hawken will require 2 more zeros on your budget price.
I purchased the last two complete Ithaca that were built in the eighties, I can't remember the exact date, for $900.00. One went to a friend the other one I kept and still have. To say I like it is an understatement. I can no longer shoot due to a physical problem and age. I am thinking of letting it go?
A Pinto with Cadillac style.
