I wish the internet had been around 30 years ago when I first became interested in muzzle loaders. What a difference that would have made in my learning curve.
Ain't that the truth! 
Back in the 50's & 60's there was typically about one self appointed local expert per every hundred square miles, and it's well know today that they passed on as much bad information as they did good...it was as if they practiced a type of witchcraft, with many dark secrets known only to themselves.
They "quoted" sources that are as unknown today as they were back then...much of what they preached has been challenged, and corrected.
PD, after finishing your rifle yourself, am I right in assuming that it holds a much greater value to you now?
Not just because it has been repaired, and likely made into a shooter, but because it's something you did yourself....it now possesses that certain something that is difficult to explain, and only those who have "
been there and done that" can appreciate what I'm saying.
I think everyone should do an occasional "make-over" on their rifles just for grins and giggles.
I own a few old guns that ain't worth very much at all, except to me, and I don't find that a bad thing.
Uncle Russ...
