THE definitive book on BP is the Lyman Plack Powder Shooting handbook. Most big gun-stores in the UK have it - or get it online.

The subs are just fine for anybody, noobs or experts alike - just read the instructions like those you can find on the internet from them makers - Hodgdons. In general, Pyrodex loads are about 10% less BY WEIGHT than black powder, and Triple 7 about 15% BY WEIGHT. So if you are shooting your .36cal revolver with 20gr of FFFg and ball, then for Pyrodex Pistol - this is made specially for pistol - you would load 17-18gr of Pyrodex P. Triple 7 you'd load about 15-16gr by weight. However, it is all relative, and you have to do some work to find our what your gun likes best, and that gives you consistent results. No alteration needs be carried out to ANY revolver to enable it to shoot using the subs.

Again, some folks use over-powder wads - bought or made - and some, like me, don't. Some folks use a grease over the open end of the chamber, others, like me, use some kind of emulsified hand cream lkike E45.

IF subs are the way you are going, you might find reliable ignition comes from using hotter caps - it says so on on the tin. RWS are good like that.

Get yourself some transparent plastic phials and measure out your charges beforehand, or make up little cartridges like some of us do, using cigarette paper. Loading from a powder flask directly into the chambers is a NO-NO - this is why we use the little phials. When you have settled on a good and accurate charge, adjust the powder measure nozzle on your powder flask by cutting it/filing it to hold the right charge, and use THAT to fill the phials instead.

You don't note the make of revolver, only the calibre, so I can't help you with advice about ball diameter - unless, of course, you have a mould already. In general, any ball you load needs to leave a nice little ring of lead shaved off around the mouth of the chamber for a snug fit.

Lastly, for the moment, a couple of useful points -

1. WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING PERCUSSION/FLINTLOCK FIREARMS!! Those little bits of red-hot copper go everywhere and will sting like hell and maybe even blind you if you collect some in the eye.

2. Clean your gun as soon as possible after shooting, even to the extent of using a tap in the club washroom. Regardless of the rumours, the substitutes are ferociously corrosive if left for any period of time. Triple 7 can actually be washed away with cold water, so there is no excuse for not cleaning up as soon as you can.

Asking questions is how you'll find out, given the shortfall of like-minded shooters in your club, but there are many of us dark-siders here to help you out.

Best

tac