Turning from the dark side

[Bob the Cynic]

I've shot inlines, with pellets and sabots for the past few years and it now looks like I'm going to turn away from the dark side.  
 
A used, Thompson Center Hawken is calling my name from my local gun shop and it will likely come home with me next week.   So, as I said, I've shot inlines for a while now so I'm not a total newbie to muzzleloading, but any advice you all would care to share regarding powders, projectiles and working up a load for deer hunting would be much appreciated.  
 
Thank you all ahead of time.

[roundball]

I've shot inlines, with pellets and sabots for the past few years and it now looks like I'm going to turn away from the dark side.  
 
A used, Thompson Center Hawken is calling my name from my local gun shop and it will likely come home with me next week.   So, as I said, I've shot inlines for a while now so I'm not a total newbie to muzzleloading, but any advice you all would care to share regarding powders, projectiles and working up a load for deer hunting would be much appreciated.  
 
Thank you all ahead of time.

All my ML's are TC Hawkens in various calibers...the first and best advice I could suggest is to contact TC customer service and get a copy of their owner's manual...they'll mail it to you for free.

It'll be an excellent starting point, and has all the load data charts in the back for each caliber, each type of projectile, etc....the TC Hawken is an excellent choice, plus, TC's lifetime warranty is real and second to none.

As one reference, I use patched round balls for targets and deer as follows:
Targets
50grns Goex 3F (or 60grns Pyrodex RS)
TC .018" lubed pillow ticking
Hornady balls (.440/.490/.530)

Hunting
90grns Goex 3F (or 100-110grns Pyrodex RS)
Oxyoke wonderwad over powder
TC .018" lubed pillow ticking
Hornady balls (.440/.490/.530)

Enjoy!

[Ramrod]

Welcome to the light. Once you get a snout-full of the heavenly aroma of blackpowder, you are hooked. Pretty soon you you just might find yourself looking long and hard at flintlocks, or even thinking about building one or two. Don't say you haven't been warned. Mastering these relics can become an obsession. :grin:

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

Isn't that what they mean when they say, "Once you go black, you don't go back"? :eek:

 :lol:

Welcome, and have fun.  

A few traditional muzzle loader shooting tips.

1) Everyone who shoots a traditional muzzle loader is opinionated as hell.  Develop your own prickly, cantankerous opions, and never mind the others.

2) Some stuff is just opinions, some stuff is actually dang good advice.  Learn to sort the wheat from the chaff so-to-speak.  

3) Don't get discouraged.  The reason your gun ain't shootin' right is because you're following someone else's stupid opinions.  Ditch the opinions, get some actual, honest advice.  See rule #2 if you're confused about the difference between opinions and advice.

[Bob the Cynic]

Thanks for the laugh BJJ    and thanks to the others that have replied as well.  As the result of an unfortunate bumper to bumper meeting in a parking lot the other day it looks like my gun money is going to have to become car money so I won't be buying the gun I want just yet.   :?  But I will, but I will...eventually.