This thread started out with comments about "dogma" and
appeared to go downhill from there, then wandered off into different subjects. I didn't understand all the snarky comments in the dogma section. What's the problem? I've always personally enjoyed doing things the way they were done in the "old days," if only for the understanding it gave me of their skills and limitations, and for my own feelings of accomplishment. I didn't start out looking for new and more efficient ways to do what was done 200 years ago and don't really give a flip if somebody else wants to spend their own time that way. As far as getting into a p*ss*ng match over it,
no thank you. Life's too short to argue over things that I don't care about and don't affect me anyway. I was a competitive shooter in the unmentionable arena for a long time, got out of it because it just wasn't fun anymore. Muzzleloading is. For me, at least, that means replicating parts of history and doing so in as close to historical ways as I can, and teaching others who are interested in the same things what I've learned --- if and only if they want to learn. For those of y'all who prefer to find gear that looks like an unmentionable bolt gun and has an indestructible fiberglass stock and a telescope bolted on top, go for it. But don't come into a forum that is clearly defined as a traditional muzzleloading venue and then squawk because the folks here don't agree with you. There floats my stick.
