Ok, made up my mind. I'm going to get the Pursuit Rifle by Traditions. Now, can y'all tell me each and every item I'll need from loading to cleaning it, and can you recommend a good instruction book I can buy. If it's not to much trouble, can you also tell me how much I'll need of each item.

Thanks,
dog1

Muzzleloading 101

That is a site that you might want to read. There is a lot of good information. As for all the items you will need to shoot and care for you muzzleloader, well the list is really long.

Powder --- if your going to a loose powder then you need to decide the brand of powder you want to use. I would suggest for now, Triple Se7en or Pyrodex RS or Select. Since you want loose powder you need a clear plastic see through measure with a funnel cut off spout.

If your going pellets you might want some 50 & 30 grain. I have never used pellets.

Ramrod--- a range rod is always a good thing to have. I use a Thompson Center rugged rod. Also for the ram rod you will need a cleaning jag, bore brush, patch worm, special jag head for SST and XTp's

Small Starter--- this will be used to originally set the projectile under the muzzle. I like the T- Handle type. They can also be used on your ramrod to turn it into a power rod if need be.

Chemicals--- a quality bore solvent such as Birchwood Casey Bore Scrubber or Butch's Bore Shine. A good oil like Birchwood Casey Sheath or Rem Oil. A good patch cleaner for swabbing..I use denatured alcohol. If your using Triple Se7en, simple water will work also. Get some cleaning patches also. They make your life easier. A bore scrub brush for cleaning the rifle is handy. And I am not sure of the breech, but a small brush for scrubbing the nipple port is nice.

Primers. ---209 primers I like the Winchester. Be careful not to get the hot one. You need a capper. I like the dog bone capper made by T/C. A de-capper for removing the spent primers. I like the metal one made by CVA. The plastic one from T/C is not the best.

Projectiles..--- starting out get some T/C sabots, powerbelts in 295 or 348 grain.

CVA Slick Breech Plug and Nipple Grease is the best one out there in my opinion. When you coat the breech plug coat all the threads. When you screw the breech plug in do not crank it in. Finger tight is fine, and I even back mine off about 1/8th of a turn. Then I check it every 10th shot. The last thing you want is a breech plug stuck. Also make sure you have a breech plug wrench to remove the breech plug.

I am sure there are lots of things I forgot. This will get you started and others can fill in what I might have left out..

Also get some ear plugs and shooting glasses, and use them when at the range. In your old age your ears and eyes will thank you.....