another helpful tome is Sam Fadala's Black Powder Handbook published by DBI books, Inc. ISBN 0-87349-101-7. There is at least one newer/updated version which I assume would have a different ISBN number. At any rate, my copy is well used, and was worth the money just for the picture on the back cover which has an American Bison (Buffler) sitting on his rear end going over backwards after taking a muzzle loading projectile to the brain. To call it a spectacular photo is an understatement.
Jamie