Black Powder Muzzle-loading Rifle Powder:
 Black powder is a granular mixture of a nitrate, typically potassium nitrate (KNO3), which supplies oxygen for the reaction; charcoal, which provides carbon and other fuel for the reaction, simplified as carbon (C); sulfur (S), which, while also serving as a fuel, lowers the temperature required to ignite the mixture, thereby increasing the rate of combustion.

 Potassium nitrate is the most important ingredient in terms of both bulk and function because the combustion process releases oxygen from the potassium nitrate, promoting the rapid burning of the other ingredients. Proportions by weight are 75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur.

 Potassium nitrate, sulfur, and carbon react together to form nitrogen and carbon dioxide gases and these expanding gases provide the propelling action for projectiles in muzzleloaders, more specific, muzzle-loading rifles.

 A great deal of smoke is produced when black powder is ignited. The smoke is generated by the charcoal and sulfur components of the black powder burning. Black powder produces a rotten egg smell as well when ignited, that is sulfur, which produces sulfurous acid or sulfuric acid which is highly corrosive to muzzle-loading rifle steel.

 Granular size of black powder determines the intended use of the powder. The following sizes are for the specific use in muzzleloaders:
Fg: This grain size of black powder has the largest grains and normally is used in muzzle-loading muskets and small cannons.
FFg: This grain size of black powder is smaller than Fg powder and is most commonly used in muzzle-loading shotguns and larger bored rifles starting at about .45 caliber and up.
FFFg: FFFg: This grain size of black powder is smaller than FFg and is used primarily in pistols and muzzle-loading small bore rifles .45 caliber and down.
FFFFg: This grain size of black powder is smaller than FFFg and is used only in flash pans on flintlock ignition systems.

 The most common sizes of black powder used in muzzle-loading rifles as a propellant powder charge is, FFg which is used primarily in .50 caliber muzzle-loading rifles, FFFg which is used primarily in .45 caliber muzzle-loading rifles and FFFFg which is used to prime the flash pan of flint-lock muzzle-loading rifles.

Black Powder Velocity Comparisons:
.45 Caliber Muzzle-loading Rifle:
Powder	Grains Volume	Bullet Type and Weight	Velocity
Goex FFFg	80 grains	137 grain Roundball	1861 fps.
Goex FFFg	90 grains	137 grain Roundball	1940 fps.
Goex FFg	80 grains	220 grain Conical Bullet	1500 fps.
.50 Caliber Muzzle-loading Rifle:
Powder	Grains Volume	Bullet Type and Weight	Velocity
Goex FFg	80 grains	188 grain Roundball	1730 fps.
Goex FFg	90 grains	188 grain Roundball	1870 fps.
Goex FFg	80 grains	370 grain Conical Bullet	1200 fps.