Some years back I acquired a Knight Bighorn Muzzleloader.This was to hunt deer in a Muzzleloader only zone. I got the short version from my friendly dealer and went to the range where I fired 5 shots to get me zeroed at 50 yards. The next day I killed a smallish 4x4 mule with a dbl lung shot.I put the thing away and havent shot it since.
I now have the desire to use it on Black Bear this spring. My questions are these:
1. Does anyone use cast bullets as opposed to the sabots and if so do you simply seat the cast bullet over the powder (ie without a wad or patch).
2. I have seen Honest Jim Shockey advertise a powder which alledgedly does away with the perpetual cleaning process. Has anyone tried it?
3. In a hunting situation where the weapon is loaded throughout the day and remains unfired is it prudent to leave the powder/bullet in the barrel overnight (obviously with no cap in place)?

Forgive my naivety on these points but a guy has to start somewhere. Many thanks for those who chose to respond.

bwest,
if you want to learn, it's always nice not to have to do it the hard way!
Yes, you can use cast boolits as opposed to sabots, or even use a cast boolit in your sabot. See which your rifle shoots best.
Yes, you simply seat the boolit over the powder without patch or wad.
All m/l's and other bp weapons need thorough cleaning as soon after firing as possible, no matter what propellant you shoot in them. Some are a little easier to clean than others, but I think the choice should ultimately be based on which shoots more accurately. I have found T/C lubes on Maxis and on patches for rb's to greatly minimize fouling, but many swear at them instead of by them as I do.
No big deal to leave it (capless) overnight, or all week, as long as you check to make sure the ball hasn't moved, and it isn't rainy or excessively humid during that time. If you're hunting in wet conditions, it makes sense to pull or blow the charge with a CO2 unloader, and recharge next day with fresh dry powder. Nothing is as frustrating as a misfire that you could have prevented. That said, I know two fanatics who fire at the end of every day and clean it to be ready for the next morning regardless of the weather, and another who doesn't bother to unload no matter what the weather is. They all shoot deer. I prefer not to hunt in the rain with a traditional side hammer caplock, but inlines are more weatherproof generally.

Many thanks for the good advice

Not sure you know but the bullets cast have to be pure lead. The powder you mentioned is an ascorbic acid based powder. Jim Shockeys gold is made by American Pioneer, they also make their own under the AP label, they also make some for Goex under the Goex label Pinnacle. There is another company making a similar powder which I use; it is Black Mag'3 made by Magkor out of Florida. Personally I like the Black Mag'3 the best so far but have not shot enough of the Goex to comment. Yes, all of these powders are very clean compared to real black or Pyrodex. Tripple Seven is another synthetic that gets a lot of press but personally I find it too much of a problem with the crud ring if forms in my rifle. Apparently it shoots OK in some rifles; but not my Omega.