RE: Finnally fired the new muzzle loader
The Eclipse 209 Magnum was the next step above the Staghorn, so you REALLY got a good deal on your rifle. I was shooting some Nosler 300 grain bullets that I bought on sale through Natchez and they were really holding tight groups with 90 grains of Pyrodex RS out of the Staghorn. My Staghorn does not like 100 grains. 90 is the magic number in it, but that is all the power it needs.
As for recoil that will be determined by the weight of the projectile and the amount of powder you use besides the balance of the gun. As you get used to the the rifle the recoil part will go away I think. I was shooting 110 grains of FFg out of my short barrel Knight Wolverine and I really did not think the recoil was bad at all.
I always shoot loose powder because I can tweek the loads a little better then if I was locked into shooting pellets. Plus the cost difference would send me to the loose powder section anyway. Lately I have been using Swiss and Goex powders. I really like the Swiss Black Powder.