I have followed the same route . I started using my tc Hawkin 1/48 .54 with round ball, and it worked OK. I then tried the TC maxi ball which is not a ball but a conical, they are terrific. I then succumed to the hipe that I needed more expansion and went to Maxi hunters, Lee Reel bullets, Hornady great plains bullets. They all worked well in my gun but nothing loaded as easy as the maxi ball and was as accurate. I now cast my own Maxi balls and they load and shoot great. TC sells molds for the Maxi ball or the Maxi Hunter I have both. That makes them cheap and I get the added pride of taking a deer with my own cast bullets . I repeat Maxiballs are a conical bullet not a round ball