RE: Why blackpowder doesn't shoot as fast as a rifle?
Generally, blackpowder barrels are not built to withstand the breech pressures that come with smokeless powder. They'll blow up in your face!
Savage makes a muzzleloader that can use some type of smokeless, but I'm even less interested in that than I am in in-lines and scopes, so I can't tell you anything about it. I'll let someone else fill you in on that thing.