I may be out of line, but even here in the Great White North, there are those who aspire to recreate their own muzzleloading guns, and who come to me for help/inspiration/guidance/fellowship. I spent all of yesterday morning with just such a man, and consider it time well spent. Tomorrow, another fellow is bringing his Tulle stock to the shop for AF staining. I doubt that there are many accomplished builders who are not in similar situations, whether you'd call it apprenticeship or not.