Hi Simon. You will get loads of advice from loads of different people on shooting black powder. Nearly all of it sound advice from people with years of experience. Yes, cleaning is a chore but in reallity it takes 10 mins and most of that is waiting while the hot soapy water dissolves the crud. Compare that against removing the primers, cleaning the cases, fitting fresh primers, loading the powder and seating the bullet head to shoot a long barrel revolver
and i know which takes me longer!
After 8 years "ish" of shooting the black stuff in pistols, revolvers and rifles my advice would be. First go to a club where they shoot the type of gun you want to shoot and Join. Once you get to know folks they will only be too pleased to pass on their experience, you may even get a go with different types of gun. You need to know what gun fits your hand and feels comfortable, its no good buying something that your not happy with the way it feels in the hand or shoots just because it looks shiney.
Most of the shooters at our club shoot a .44 calibre of one sort or another but there are other sizes such as .36. Only you can decide but .44 seams to be the accepted calibre at our club. Common calibre balls are easier to get hold off than odd size ones and casting your own is FAR cheaper than buying em.
Yes, a stainless pistol cleans easier than a black one but if it costs twice as much to buy and isnt comfortable to shoot is it worth a couple of minutes extra in the hot water?
Once you have decided on your gun of choice and got it then you can look at different lubes, powders ect. Every gun is different and you will have to experiment to find what YOUR gun likes to use. You cant do that untill youve got it. As far as powder goes I dont know anyone who has a black powder permit who shoots anything but black powder. Yes im sure other stuff works just as well but guys who have used pyrodex at our club always seem to go back to bp. The permits are free from the health and safety bods and i made my own box for about £15 so dont let storage put you off.
As with everything in life you pays your money and takes your choice. The main thing is to ENJOY YOUR SHOOTING. While we can.