Great tips from Cayugad (as per usual)

The pellet is basically a marketing based product designed to "entice" folks into muzzleloading. The pellet is supposed to dramatically simplify the muzzleloading experience. Again, marketing fluff.

Get yourself a good powder measure in at least 5 grain increments.

There are some drawback's to pellet's:
They are fixed charge. Not all projectiles shoot well with a specific fixed charge combination. This is where loose powder really shines other than cost. With the loose powder, most of the time you can "dial in" the best charge for a given projectile. With pellets, you are regulated to 30gr or 50gr equivalents and combinations thereof.

Also, the cost is really an issue with pellet's being much more expensive to shoot.

Here is an example using one of the most popular pellet and loose powder makers Hodgdon 777 and Cabela's for pricing (forget the hazmat costs for a moment).
2-50cal 50gr Pellets equals about 85gr loose powder equivalent. Which is a good hunting charge.

Hodgdon 777 3F loose= $27/pound plus taxes if local or shipping and hazmat fees. 7000grains per pound or 82 shots per pound using 85gr powder per shot. or .32 cents a shot.

Hodgdon 777 50/50 Pellets= $23/100 plus taxes if local or shipping and hazmat fees (two required per shot to equal 85gr equivalent powder) or 50 shots per box using two pellets.
82 shots with pellets would cost $37.72 or .46 cents a shot.

If you shoot only in hunting situations, then pellet costs might not be such an issue. But if you shoot more than 50 times a year. Then loose powder is your best bet by far from a cost only standpoint.

My .02