RE: Taking the Plunge
As Sproulman pointed out, 4f works great as a pan powder in case you want to try some of that. A pound of 4f powder lasts a long time. Believe me, I bought two pounds of it and am still on the first pound after a lot of shooting. I do use 3f in the pan when hunting. It just seems to hang in there longer.
The ring tool from Cabela's is great. That's what I use as well.
A flint last sometimes for 10 shots and I have had them last for 40 shots. Also you have to keep the edge of the flint sharp. Don't ask me how to knapp as I am terrible at it. Sometimes I get lucky and get a good edge on them other times I shatter them. I was using a muzzy wheel to shape them then burned out the dremel tool so I am back to knapping.
The best "flint" I ever had was an agate that came in my Trade Rifle. If I could get agate's like that again, I'd never shoot another Tom Fuller Black English Flint again, but the next agate I bought was very poor. That first agate I swear got over 60 shots on it and I never had to touch it. Then I turned it over and shot off it for a while more.
I shoot Tom Fuller Black English flints now. The French Amber flints work real good, but are expensive and I am not sure it they are worth the extra price.
Start your loads out at 75 grains of Goex 3f and start shooting groups. As you move up, keep at it until your groups fall apart. Also if your placing an order, get a thing of wonder wads. I like to have them around the house and use them from time to time with different loads, especially if your rifle likes to eat patches.
In my T/C Hawkins I do not go over 100 grains of 3f for the main charge. How hard you are willing to push your rifle will depend on the rifle. Follow the manual and stick with those charges.
In all fairness to sproulman.. if you are at a place where you can buy black powder, or you buy powder by the case as I do, where the haz mat fee does not hurt as bad, it does not hurt to get some 2f, 3f and even 4f powder. You never know what kind of powder will give you the best accuracy. Just because my rifles do best with 3f is no guarantee that the same will hold true in your rifle. When I list a load I use, it is only a suggestion. A starting place if you will. What works in your rifle could be very different.
Good luck with your rock lock!!