My first is .54 traditional. Flints can be more interesting ( fun ), but take more fussing, and care. If want or need to use a scope, go in-line. The flash from the cap or pan, can get on your optics. Look at the accessories and ball or conical, that are available in your area, first. Everything except .50 cal. seem to be getting fased out. Stuff for the flintlocks are not easy to find either. I accidently bought a .54 cal. flinlock ( a happy little accident by the way). And finding stuff for it is a hunt all over buy what you can where you can situation for me. I have even driven to Scheels, and Gander Mountain in St. Cloud, MN. ( 130 miles one way), looked online, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Scheels. I did find all that I needed, and stocked up. Mail order here, long drive there. Worth it mind you, just forwarning. I have not found, 4F priming powder, but 3F works. Flints like real black powder, they don't really care for the substitutes. This has come from my experiences, and are not just opinion. Both my Cabelas Flintlock and my Lyman Deerstalker are made by Investarms, Italy. Both in .54, Both good guns. By the way, I would never knock the .50 cals. Nore would I turn one down. lol. The best advice I can think of is check the availability of suplies first, before you descide caliber. And think about ease of use, and how much you want to do. If you are going to scope it then inline, if not then traditional. Just my thoughts, I am deffinately no expert.