In 1976 with the encouragement and guidance of a late friend and mentor.
Who persauded me to purchase a 1851 Colt replica for the astounding price of $29.95.
About 1970 built a hideous mix of 303 barrel and shotgun lock - it didn't shoot particularly well but it got me started. In New Zealand 17 years olds aren't supposed to build firearms apparently - got me into a bit of grief but I still have it - just to keep me grounded. Have built and helped build quite a few over the years. Rudyard has helped immensely with major input into my 40 Bedford and 50 Hawken - both are beautiful and shoot really well. The 40 has a Douglas Premium Barrel and the Hawken is a Montana. L&R locks on both.
Around 1972, while in college, a friend invited me to an outing with him and another muzzleloader. That experience eventually prompted me to get one a few years later. About 48 years later, I am still at it and am now one of the long time members of our local muzzleloading club.
I fired my first shot with a muzzleloader, accompanied by my grandfather, exactly 67 years ago, on February 5: it was my 10th birthday. Now, I'm 77 and still shoot in a club four times a week with my wife and friends...
Bought my first ML, an original 1863 Springfield musket in 1960, for $20. Very involved in target shooting and in re-enacting Civil War battles. So 64 years now.
Then the family moved to south Florida (Jupiter) where it seemed no one had even heard of muzzle loaders or black powder!