I am new to muzzleloading and I have been struggling to decide whether to use pellets or loose powder. What are your thoughts? I assume loose powder is much cheaper and I know it burns more efficiently. Although I have not actually shot my rifle yet, I have bought my supplies (including a cannister of Hodgdon Pyrodex Select). I will likely try this out and then try something else if I do not get good results. So what is the verdict, pellets or loose powder?

Hawkeye

I prefer pellets, but for the simple reasons that I don't have to measure every load and if I don't get the shot, I just pull the breach plug and they drop into my hand to be loaded again.

I am of the opinion that the firearms were designed for loose powder, and that is what they should be fed. To me, pellets are nothing more than a gimmick, something to be able to make money on.

Additionally, some of the western states are specifying loose powder only on their MZ hunts now...

Loose powder......more reasonable priced (you won't believe what you pay a pound for it in pellets) - totally weight adjustable.

woods

Whatever shoots the best in YOUR Rifle. I found that loose 777 was more accurate than pellets in mine.

Loose powder gives you more load tweaking options - plus costs less per volume.

The only reason I am using pellets right now is because I am new to Muzzleloading...but I haven't really found a bullet that didn't like 100gr of T7.