Muzzleloading Ammo
Muzzleloading ammunition isn’t a cartridge — it’s a collection of components loaded individually into the bore: powder, a projectile (bullet or ball), and an ignition source (primer or percussion cap). Impact Guns carries muzzleloader supplies for both modern inline rifles and traditional sidelock and flintlock designs, including black powder substitutes, saboted bullets, round balls, and ignition components from Hodgdon, Federal, CVA, and others.
Read our Muzzleloader Supplies Buying Guide ↓
Propellants: Black Powder vs. Substitutes
Traditional black powder (FFFg for pistols and small bores, FFg for rifles) is the original muzzleloader propellant and works in all designs including flintlocks. Black powder substitutes like Hodgdon Pyrodex and Triple Seven are more stable, produce less fouling, and are easier to purchase (black powder requires hazmat shipping). Triple Seven burns cleaner than Pyrodex and produces slightly higher velocities at equivalent charges. Most modern inline muzzleloaders are designed to use pelletized powder for convenience — pre-measured charges that drop directly into the bore without a powder measure.
Bullets and Projectiles
Modern inline muzzleloaders use saboted bullets — a standard jacketed pistol bullet seated in a plastic sabot that engages the rifling. Common choices are 250gr and 300gr .50 caliber sabots using .44 or .45 caliber bullets from Hornady, Barnes, and PowerBelt. Traditional rifles use round balls sized to match the bore diameter, patched with a lubricated cloth patch to engage the rifling. Conical bullets like Minié balls are a middle ground, used in both traditional and some modern rifles. Match your projectile to your rifle’s twist rate — faster twists (1:28) are optimized for saboted bullets; slower twists (1:48, 1:66) work better with patched round balls.
Ignition: Primers and Caps
Modern inline muzzleloaders use 209 shotgun primers for reliable ignition in wet conditions and with black powder substitutes. Traditional sidelock rifles use #11 percussion caps (most common) or musket caps. Flintlocks use FFFFg priming powder in the pan. Federal and CCI both make 209 primers and #11 caps specifically designed for muzzleloaders. Ignition reliability is critical — store caps and primers in a dry location and inspect them before each use.
Related Pages
Browse our black powder rifles and muzzleloaders for complete firearm selection. See also muzzleloader accessories for cleaning supplies, powder measures, and loading tools.