today I fired a .44 black powder revolver for the first time.

A guy at the range saw me set up my chronograph and asked if he could get a velocity on his loads for curiosity. He was worried about busting up my chronograph so he insisted that I shoot it.

...I was happy to oblige...

Well, it was a fun gun to play with!!
I had a few test runs on paper fist, and was surprised that I got a 1inch group at 10meters, - as good as I can get with any handgun (I'm no crackshot with a handgun) but I liked it.

I would like to get myel one of these, but know nothing about them.
What should I look for, brands, originals, replicas, antiques? Whats the go?

Thanks

Unless you want to spend a fortune, avoid originals, which will lose value once you fire them (and possibly have to replace original parts). The premier BP pistol is the Ruger New Model Army, but any solid frame design is stronger and generally more accurate than the open frame Colt replicas. If you can't find a Ruger, go with a Uberti: fit & finish are excellent, but not quite up to the Ruger.

Get a Ruger .44 OLD ARMY! It is the best cap & ball revolver ever made!

I agree with everything the other poster said the Ruger is strong, solid, and accurate I believe most serious competition shooters use the Uberti 1858 Remington. I personally love the balance, handling and aesthetics of the Colt types I have a Navy .36 and a Walker .44 both Uberti's I'd avoid the Colts as they are not only exceedingly expensive but often poorly assembled most were made from Uberti parts but assembled here so it could be Made in the USA
and they didn't do as well assembling them as
the genuine Uberti's. I love the balance and handling of my .36 Navy Colt, they were good enough for Wild Bill Hickok who carreid a brace of 1851 Navy Colts well into the cartridge era
and used them very effectively, the Ruger is a big revolver, and quite expensive as these things go, well worth it no doubt.
Regards fredj