Private ranges do get upset sometimes. Also when shooting flintlocks be sure and keep people away from the touchhole side of the rifle when you're shooting. Some nasty flame can come out of that little hole. Just shoot one at night sometime.

Like Mark said, watch the wind and use it to you advantage if possible. Normally the problem with public ranges is you sit down to do some serious shooting, touch off the first round and suddenly there is a group of people standing around asking you all sorts of questions.... This is a bad distraction and you have to be careful to pay attention to the loading and firing of that rifle in a safe manner. Believe me.. you look pretty silly when you forget powder, or to remove the ramrod, or a number of other things because you were distracted answering questions....

I normally find that people are pretty good about muzzleloaders. They sure draw a crowd. Especially when they see that big hole appear in the bullseye of the target down range...

The smoke is just a bonus. You learn to really like it.