I had the same revolver when I was very young. Like sixteen or maybe seventeen. And I used to shoot Pyrodex P in it. 15 grains was all I would load. In fact I had a 15 grain spout on a metal powder horn and loaded right out of the horn into the cylinder. The spout has a lock out switch. It was sure an accurate revolver. And really fun to shoot.
But the thing chain fired on me one day and I forget how many of the cylinders went off. Scared the devil out of me. But it shook the front sight off it and stretched the frame. So I had a gunsmith fix it. Actually the gun smith is kind of famous in the muzzleloading world as he makes lots of muzzleloading things now. His name is Ted Cash. From Waunakee, Wi. Excellent smith. He makes cappers, flasks, and other things. When I knew him he worked out of his basement.
He had to cut a bunch of stuff off/back and why I don't understand but he shortened the barrel. But he said it was safe to shoot again. I wanted no part of it and sold it as a wall hanger to a person.
These revolvers are not for hunting IMO. But you can if you want. So why worry about a huge load of powder. You're not shooting for distance, and the smaller loads seem to be the more accurate loads. I always considered them a novelty type weapon. You shot them for fun because you can. Even now, in my 1858 New Army which can take a 35 grain load... I shoot 20. Its a lot more powerful at the close ranges then you think it is. And I sure like the boom!! and the smoke.
