The Lymans are a good value, and fairly true to the originals.

I would not try a kit myself, they are challenging for a beginner, unless he is unusually skilled and patient. TOW usually has rifles for sale that are finished by custom makers. They won't be cheap, but will be good rifles.

The other thing is to take a look at buying used. A lot of the guys bought/built Hawkens after the movie Jeremiah Johnson came out in the 1970's. Many of those guns are now being sold off by the AR generation, and good used ones can be found.

I bought this one used for $600 from the guy who built in in the 1970's:

[Linked Image]

It's about due for a barrel, but that's not a horrible expense, and it is a neat rifle.

"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."