congrats.....even though alot of guys say not to start on a flinter.....i..like you...did anyways....i didnt have the money or the need for anything but a flinter...we have a special flintlock deer season...i wanted a rifle for that...theres some guys here that are absolutely awesome...i dont know it all...but any questions post em...we can surely get it answered...flinting with a good gun and a good lock(which you bought!) is not as hard as some make it seem......around here 98% of the people make flintlocks sound to be impossible to hit anything with...and make them sound so unreliable ect ect...but thats because of the special 3wk deer season..flintlock or bow only..people think oh i can shot a flintlock...pick it up and go hunting....and thats why the roomers go around this state...buy some good sharp black english flints....and some Goex black powder like said already...you can shoot 3fg or 2fg in the powder....i perfer to prime with 4fg...the finer the easier it ignits...but dont load yourmain charge with 4fg.....TC actually recomends only 2fg for 50cals...but i have shot 3fg ok....it didnt make a diffrence in accuracy or lock time....keep yer powder dry and shoot straight!! good luck......any quetions or anything post them....dont be afraid....i beat these guys to death before i started shooting!!now i need to get a stinkin deer to cooperate!!! i think my rifle has a curse or something!! itsonly been like..4 or 5 seasons now i think!