I have absolutely no interest in owning or shooting an in-@#$@% firarm. Nor do I care to shoot plastic shoes, or modern pistol bullets, or substitute powders, or pellets, or guano for that matter. I doubt very much if your estimate of 90% of the members here owning in-@#$$% rifles is even close to the true percentage. There are other sites for those folks. They are welcome to them.
I have modern cartridge rifles, shotguns, and handguns, in addition to my MLs. I enjoy shooting them. I have a couple of Modern rifles I could use to take any animal in N. America. MY shotguns are more than adequate for the game they can be used to hunt legally. I shoot Black Powder, only, because I like the smell, the care needed to load the gun properly, and to insure it will fire every time, the accuracy of the rifles when loaded properly, and the extra satisfaction I have when taking game using MLs. Why would I buy a gun that is a ML in name only? If you read this forum, there is no reason not to own a traditional, side, action, or underhammer action ML rifle or shotgun or pistol. Powder can be purchased in bulk for a substantial savings over the cost of the subs. Same with primers, and flints. Lead balls can be purchased as cast, or swaged, or you can mould your own, adding another level of satisfaction. All the side gear can be purchased by mail order, or at the larger rendezvous, and of course, at Friendship during the Spring and Fall shoots. And, of course, you can make much of the equipment your self, including patch knives, throwing knives, hawks, possible bags, ball bags, ball blocks, shirts, pants, loin clothes, leggings, moccasins, dresses, skirts, blouses, jewelry, etc. I have a couple of vent picks I made, along with a hand made patch knife, short starter, elkskin pants, and other gear I would have to do an inventory of my bags, and range box to recall. There is plenty of literature, including patterns for clothing, for you to read and use to make your own things.
there is so much to enjoy in this sport of traditonal MLs, I can't imagine what possibly attracts people to those rifles. It has to be just the price, and all the lies the clerks in those stores tell people.