Thanks again for all the additional replies. So far the gun groups unbelievably well with 100 grains of 777 from 2 50 grain pellets and pushing the standard 225 Powerbelt Aerotips. Three separate 3 shot groups averaged almost exaclty 1". I don't even get that from some of my centerfires, so it will be interesting to see what happens when I start tweaking the loads with loose propellant to fine tune loads.

But good groups don't always don't bring down game ... good groups from good performing bullets bring down game (as long as I do my part and shoot where I'm supposed to), so I'm perhaps even more interested in terminal performance as I am interested in groups. I'm interested in both and really appreciate everybody's input especially about bullet perfomance on game (in addition to paper punching).

I'll try some loose Pyrodex (have a big bottle unopened so far). I've been going with the convenience of the pellets just to get some experience with the gun.

Semisane, thanks for the tip on the lower powered loads with the 357 bullets. A question for you though. Your target mentions the MMP Blue Sabot identified further as .355/.357. Exactly who makes that Sabot? Where did you obtain it? And how much are they a bag of 50? 100?

I plan to look into the Bullshop bullets (already visited their site) and will pick up some Hornady bullets, both XTP's and SST. They have grouped well in my pistols and I have heard decent results about them in muzzleoaders with sabots.

Thanks again, and anybody with a pet load that has been performing good kills on deer from a .45 muzzleloader, I'd love to hear your load and set-up.