First off...I would check the lock...You should only use real black powder...I have used both Goex FFF and FFFF in the pan...MAKE SURE THE GUN IS NOT LOADED...Drop the ramrod down the barrel, mark it, take it out and lay the ramrod on top of the barrel and see if the mark lines up with the back of the barrel...Or slide a paper clip into the touch hole and make sure its lean...You could even pour some rubbing alcohol down the barrel and see if it runs out of the touch hole...Clean the frizzen with rubbing alcohol to make sure there is no oil on it which can affect sparking...Now shut the frizzen, bring the hammer to full cock and see if it sparks...If it does fill the pan half full and see if you get enough sparks to light the pan...If you do, great, if not you might have to knap the flint, change flints or other things...

Assuming that your flintlock gives good ignition you next should make sure the touch hole is open...you can use a pipe cleaner or paper clip to check...If a .50 caliber buy some .490 balls, if a .54 buy .530 balls...Also buy some patches, most are .015 or .018 thickness....You might have to vary the diameter balls and patches for best accuracy...Also buy a powder measure...I would start with a light charge...50 grains will be enough for either a .50 or a .54...Make sure the barrel is clean and pour down .50 grains of powder...Grease up some patches...There are alot of patch lubes you can try....Bore Butter, SnoSeal, Crisco etc...grease one side of the patch and put the greased side down, center the ball and start it down the barrel (some guys use a short started to get it started) then ram the patched ball down on top of the powder with the ramrod...Make sure the ball is seated firmly on the powder...

Start with a close target (25 yards) and see how close you hit to the target...I would do this several times to get used to the gun...Clean between each shot...Use rubbing alcohol, dampen two patches and run down the barrel on your barrel jag, use both sides, run a dry patch next, then one lubed with your patch lube and then a dry patch....Then start working up the powder charge....80-100 grains is plenty for whitetails...When you find a good accurate loading, start to regulate the sights...File down the front sight to raise the point of impact, raise or lower the rear sight to raise or lower the ball impact...and tap either to center the ball left or right...For deer, I sight in 2 inches high at 50 yards...You will be close to dead on at 75 (with 80-100grs of powder) and 2 inches or so at 100...Which should be your maximum range with open sights and a patched ball...

This process will probably take several range sessions....That's the basics....If you run into a problem...Post on here....Good Luck...