CVA Kentucky Pistol Question

[Carbon_15]

I recently was given a CVA Kentucky Pistol in .45. What powder should I use and how much. Can I use pellets?
Thanks.
P.S. I am a complete charcoal burner virgin.

 

[Manyirons]

Any 3F, me i prefer Swiss, Goexll do, pyrodex #F, dont know ifin its percussion? If it is #11 caps, any make'll do fer now. Ifin its a finter, then ya AINT gonna wanta fool with anythin but blackpowder, experienced hands can get by with duplex loadins an all that but a tyro wants ta keep it simple at first. try 30 grains, patched round ball, prolly .440 an 18 thou patch'll get er done.

Ya wants ta lube tha patch, all KINDS o lube out there fer it, even crisco ina pinch.

CLEAN er good, soap an water after, lube er down and yer done.

 

[arcticap]

It's Pyrodex P (fffg). And it should be easier to load with a .015 thick patch which is medium thickness. The patches can often be bought pre-lubed with Wonderlube or you can buy them dry along with a tube of TC Bore Butter and rub (or melt) it in yourself.
You can use 10% less powder (by volume) if you're using Pistol (fffg) powder instead of the coarser grained ffg.
You can't use pellets if it's a sidelock, they wouldn't be reliable if they ignited at all. Use only loose powder, and Pistol powder (fffg) is recommended for a .45 caplock, but ffg could also work, it would probably just be a little less reliable and accurate.
777 powder will also work, and it's easier to clean, but use approximately 15% less by volume.