I was given a rifle that was considered "ruined." In fact the prior owner considered it junk. The rifle is in very poor shape without argument. I lapped the barrel and then used J-B Bore Paste and cleaned all that I could, then oiled it up real good. The prior owner told me that it shot best with 90 grains of Pyrodex RS and a patched roundball. I discovered it no longer could handle the stronger loads but with 70 grains of Goex 2f and a patched roundball the rifle shoots excellent. In fact the prior owner saw me shooting it one afternoon and asked if that was "his old rifle." I told him it was, but I managed to save it. I actually think he expected me to give it back or something...