Both have their uses, but Pyrodex is not listed in the same explosive category as blackpowder for transportation purposes. The shooter who intends to fly to matches across the country may find that some airlines prohibit carrying blackpowder, especially in amounts required for extended contests. While only lead balls, bullets or shot are used, serious shooters often cast their own projectiles, inspect and weigh them for consistency and experiment with powder charges, patch thickness, different percussion caps or priming charges. They are, in effect, doing the same things that modern reloaders do in search of accuracy, but without the machines. The ball, bullet or shot charge must load from the muzzle and be ignited by an approved ignition system, usually percussion cap or flintlock.
Handguns range from flint and percussion pistols to percussion revolvers.
Any original or reproduction muzzleloading shotgun can be used, and the same is true for smoothbore muskets which adhere to original designs. In fact, a muzzleloading shotgun becomes a smoothbore musket when loaded with a patched ball instead of lead shot. Competitive blackpowder shooting appeals to a broad range of people, no matter whether they prefer recreating the games enjoyed by the mountain men or utilize the latest technology. Targets rival those used in most other shooting competitions in variety, coming in a multitude of sizes and shapes, ranging from standard bullseye to game simulation. Practically every state offers some type of special hunting season for Muzzleloaders.