I have been using a $36.00 Simmons 3x9x50 for the last two years and am very pleased with it. It is dirt cheap and I am yet to have a problem with it. No fogging and very clear, this was a new gun and I was not sure I was going to put a lot of money in it. After I bought my new rifle I move my Leupold from my .270 and put another Simmons on it, as a backup rifle. I can keep a great pattern with it as well. All in all if you are shooting over 150yds with a muzzle loader your are spending a lot more time at the range that I am. Heck after 200 with my rifle I shoot for the heart instead of the neck. Not much of a reason to spend a lot of money when you are shooting the same distance you are likely to hit with iron sights, in my opinion. Since it is your first, I really recommend going in light and finding out if it is for you or not. Personally I will never miss another day of ML. I got the fever bad right now, that is for sure.