THE BOBCAT .50
My wife bought me one, a couple years ago when a friend wanted me to shoot BP with him. I'd say go for it. You'll get hooked on BP shooting. You'll soon want and will get a fancier rifle. It may or may not outshoot the Bobcat, so what? It will be pretty, brass patchbox and all!
And, you'll still have a knock-about rifle, keeping teeth-marks off the fancy piece. You'll have a loaner and a teaching tool. Take someone to the range or for a hunt, they've got their own stout little rifle.
Mine shoots better than I can hold it. I've even outshot some of the much fancier guns. Ran into some advice on the web that has stood the test of several BP shoots. Try a light load on the range of 25 gr of FFg powder, a .495 ball and a .020 patch. Switch to 90 gr for a hunting load. works well for me, but your milage may vary.
IMHO, stick to roundballs in the Bobcat. I feel the twist and barrel length are against you if you use conicals.
Thanks,
GrayBear