I shot a flinter for a number of years. I just got to where I hated the "flash" from the flash pan. It was creating a bit of a flinch. Tried out a couple of different kinds of pellets and didn't see the consistency of them verses loose. Haven't went the smokeless route YET but I'm thinking really hard about one of them there new fangled fancy dancy Swinglock custom jobs. It would solve the not having a .45cal issue and they are smokeless capable if I wanted to give smokeless a swing. Not to mention they are a dang thing of beauty. Absolutely gorgeous rifles. Gonna have to do some serious heavy pettin and smooth talkin for the boss (wife) to approve that one though. Dem suckers are a bit on the salty side for a front stuffer!