This is my first post here on the black powder forum. I usually hang around the political forum, but I have decided to pick up a muzzleloader this season, so I thought...What better place to get advice than here?

I have only hunted with a muzzleloader once before, and that was last year. I shot a doe, and I was kind of discouraged with the size of the hole it left. It completely unhinged the front left leg. In fact, the whole front end was damaged beyond any salvage. Thats kind of why I have been putting it off. You could say I've been debating on whether or not to get one, or stick with regular rifles.

Well, I've decided to make the plunge... I think I've narrowed it down to one muzzleloader. Thats the T/C Black Diamond, in .50 cal. with the .209 primer. I like the way it feels, and it seems light enough to hump all day without breaking my shoulder.

My questions for anyone who has one, or knows about them are; What is a good powder/bullet combo...And second, what is a good bullet to use that does NOT do so much damage. I thought about going with a .45 cal. model, but the bullets are not so readily available here, while at the same time, every gas station and store around here sells .50 cal. stuff.

I've decided not to strap a scope on it because the cleaning methods for these things is so far removed from what I'm used to, that I don't want to bang up a good scope in the deep sink. So my third question is; what is your experience with these fiber optic sights. My first thoughts were "boy, these things are pretty cool", but how do they perform after beating them around in the woods for a while, and many trips to the sink.

And last, What kind of accuracy am I looking at. It's my understanding that even with all the modern advents incorporated into these things, they still tend to stray a little. Most of the shots I encounter are anywhere between thirty and a hundred yards. Fifty to sixty being the norm. (I live in the mountains, It's a rare occasion te even SEE more than a hundred yards).

Thanks in advance.