Breech Strength

[Earlwb]

There have been some past trials where they filled up a 12 inch barrel section with black powder screwed in a second breech plug and lit a fuse on the flash hole. The barrel sections didn't blow up.
Iraqi Veteran (yutube) did try to blow up a few CVA muzzle loaders using smokeless powder but it didn't blow the guns up like you would think it would do. They basically used a smokeless powder load like a black powder load, simulating a user trying to use a black powder load by mistake or stupidity. They had to really overload the heck out of them to blow them up.

[indian joe]

Keeping powder charges around 70-90 grains with bullets under 400 grains should still be an enjoyable experience...

My muzzle loaders are slow twist ball guns - open sights - they will do the job as far out as I can ethically hit - my 54cal weighs 7 pound neat - 120 grains of FFg - its fun and pretty darn effective!

[charlie b]

Charlie if it dont hurt its fun (of course) ................. but a 45/100 with a big boolit has some potential to hurt in a light gun ....I have a good chiropractor but I dont wanna become friends with him .

Yes, it does. My Lyman is 9lb. And it has a wicked curved butt plate that will cut the skin. I use a PAST recoil pad when firing it (or a thick jacket).

Even with all that it has taught me how to flinch Took a while to get used to firing it.

[charlie b]

Keeping powder charges around 70-90 grains with bullets under 400 grains should still be an enjoyable experience...

Enjoyable, but, after 20 or 30 rounds I can feel it the next day, even with the recoil pad.