There are three types of powder available, and within each type there are choices of manufacturers.
The types are:
1) Real black powder
2) Synthetic or substitute black powder
3) Smokeless powder
Rule Number One, which is NEVER to be violated under ANY circumstances, is to NEVER, EVER use smokeless powder in a black powder gun. It is simply a bomb.
Now that we've covered that point, be aware that it is the only point on which practitioners of this sport all agree. You need to decide for yourself whether you will be in the camp that accepts and uses synthetic black powder or the camp that feels anything other than real black powder is a crime against nature.
Real black powder is made by Goex and Swiss; either is high quality and will produce very similar results. It's unlikely you could tell the difference.
Synthetic black powders are Pyrodex and 777, both made by Hodgdon, Pinnacle made by Goex, and American Pioneer, made by American Pioneer. The only comment I have about these choices is that 777 is approximately 10 to 15 percent faster burning, and as a result loads using 777 should be reduced by 10 to 15% from loads developed for real black powder or one of the other substitutes. Pyrodex and 777 come in both loose powder and compressed pellet versions. Loose Pyrodex is the most popular amongst the synthetics, with 777 second.
All of the above come in the traditional FFg and FFFg granulations; real black powder is also available in Fg and FFFFg granulation. In general FFg is for rifles and shotguns, FFFg is for pistols and revolvers and FFFFg is for priming flintlock pans. Fg is for cannons. Pyrodex uses P for pistols and R&S for rifles and shotguns. You will use either FFFg or Pyrodex P in your revolver. You can use FFG or Pyrodex R&S without damaging your gun but velocities and accuracies will suffer a bit.
I don't know what brands Gander Mountain carries, but they should have at least one of the above. It is unlikely they carry real black powder, as it is classified as an explosive by BATFE, and as such carries restrictions that insurance companies look upon with glee. Retailers must store it under lock and key in magazines, so you won't see it on the shelf like the synthetics. It can still be found in some small, local gun shops but the box stores are pretty much through with it. They tend to carry synthetic black instead, and display it on their shelves. If you want to shoot real black and can't find it in a store nearby your only option is to buy it on the internet.
