[GBullet]

sgtbpm, the best way to get started is to find a copy of "The Blackpowder Loading Manual" by Sam Fadala. It's an excellent resource. In it Fadala lists loads for different BP guns, plus gives many helpful tips. He also wrote "The Blackpowder Handbook", another great book.

That aside, you will likely find that your best load should be about 15g and patched roundballs. Do not load more than 20g. If you contact the manufacturer they will send you information.

 

[GBullet]

"Blackpowder Handbook" may prove the more helpful. Amazon.com is my favorite for books. Try typing "Sam Fadala" into the search engine.

 

[GBullet]

15 lousy grs? in .44 cap andball? that sounds awful feeble to me. FFFG powder, should be considerably more than that,even with conical bullets. Double that(or more) with round ball, IIRC.

Until he finds out that more is safer, 20g should be considered max. The fifteen load should be good for 650-700 fps. If it's an Uberti, Armi San Marco or something similar, then heavier loads will be fine.

 

[GBullet]

sgtbpm, there are many knowledgable folks here and they won't steer you wrong. DO NOT use any smokeless in your BP revolver. BP and smokeless are chemically different and they burn differently, too. Ask Pietta for an owners manual if you didn't already.

Also, please keep the revolver pointed away from you when you are loading it.

 

[GBullet]

The #10 in the description of the caps has to do with nipple size.