I only hunted with my muzzleloader one year when we still had extra doe tags and used Blackhorn209 powder, that stuff is awesome, very clean burning. I used 100 grains of powder with I think a 150 grain bullet. I shot by doe at 125 yards with open sights with no problems. When I first started shooting I tried the pellets, but didn't care for them at all, pretty much had to clean after every shot. With the Blackhorn209 I would clean after ever 5 or so shots. I'd say try a couple different powders and see what you like shooting, what works best with your gun. If I lived close, I'd say you could use some powder I have so you didn't have to buy it, but I'm down in SD now.