DIY rifle kits any thoughts?
https://www.cabelas.com/product/TRADITIONS-KENTUCKY-RIFLE-KIT/1641445.uts?slotId=0

This would be my first black powder but I am confident I can handle putting it together.

Its $170 cheaper than the finished rifle from traditions of the same model at $300.

I have one my wife bought me about 20 years ago. have killed several deer with it. assembly is pretty much just that. have to drill a couple holes and finish the wood blue or brown the barrel. not a work of art but it is a functional rifle with decent accuracy. ive gone from round balls to shooting conicals for my pistol. put two patches on one and they fit very tight and can make a water filled milk jug blow up at a hundred yards. I started out shooting black powder but switched to pyrodex so I don't need to swab the barrel between shots. the stock has a funny shape. the old timers didn't put their cheek on it. takes a couple try's to get used to that but putting your cheek down on the stock will leave a bruise.

If you have basic skills you should be able to handle it.

I bought a buckhorn rear sight from dixie gun works. I like it better than the rear sight it came with
After 20 years its holding up pretty good. It has never gone more than a few minutes without a thorough hot water cleaning after shooting.

Thanks for the advice.
I have read that they position differently on your shoulder. That’s why the stock is so rounded and why you don’t put your cheek on it.

Id put one like it thats built up to shooting position before building one. Ive shot many BP's over 40 years and never shot one that caused a bruise or that i had to hold out from my cheek.

Jim Kibler makes a fantastic kit gun. It’s pricey at $995 I think. But it’s legit. Check his website out, Jim Kibler guns should get you there.

I would also recommend Jim Kibler's kit as well - he has two different styles to choose from.

Ask them if you'll need barrel channel inletting tools, they are great, but spendy
and
if the inletting of ANYTHING will need marking dye......(Vaseline with chalk line chalk mixed in)
AND
will the brass need de-burred/buffed/polished?

Dad and I built several back in the day and they all needed several dozen hours metal and wood work.