Fenrick, I use both the loose and pellet powder. One thing I've learned reading others experiences here is no two muzzleloaders are the same. The loose is cheaper to shoot and everyone tells you to start at 80gr and increase your charge until your groups start to open up then backoff a little. I was lucky enough that my Wolf shot the listed bullets in my post with about any volume of powder up to 100gr loose. I've never tried anymore. I choose to use pellets although they are more expensive while hunting. My reason being, if I'm in the stand and need a follow up shot, I pour my loose down the barrel and spill some of it what do I have? A unknown powder charge. So I use the pellets, if I drop one I know all I need to do is drop another down my barrel for my 100gr of pellets. Thats just my preference. On the ramrod, yes the CVA ramrod is not the best. I bought a brass 3 piece ramrod to use and the range. I used my CVA ramrod only to reload while hunting and dropping 2 pellets and my Barnes Expander down the barrel I didn't need to screw it out to full lenght. My short starter has a hole designed into it aid as a handle on the ramrod also to help protect your hand while pushing the bullet down. I highly suggest you go to the CVA.com site and look at the muzzleloading 101 videos. I viewed them when I first got my muzzloader and think they are very helpful to watch.