If you have more experience than I'm reading into your post ignore me. George is right remove the packing grease from the gun, Before you load the 1st round take a patch on the end of your jag and run both sides of the patch down the bore, fire 1 or 2 primers and make sure the patch is "burned" it makes sure that your breech plug doesn't have a bunch of oil or grease in it. when you pour the powder down, tap the barrel a couple of times to help settle the powder charge, seat the bullet in the sabot good, the push it down on top of the powder, mark your ramrod for load depth, don't "bounce" the ramrod on top of the bullet as it will deform the bullet, and yes it should come with an instruction manual, read it and then make a lot of smoke.