So, um, *sigh* - where am I going with all of this rambling? Right back to that round ball. And what it means to hunt with a "primitive weapon", what it means to challenge ourselves by using the implements of our forefathers.
Here is a "modern muzzle loader" being wielded by a hunter as allowed in many states. Stainless steel, fiberglass stock, modern optics, and modern projectiles propelled by modern propellents. Yes, there is no shortage of modern "black powder substitutes" available today to make things a whole lot easier (cleaner) for modern shooters.
To me, that image and what it represents just misses the point entirely. It represents a level of "gamesmanship", of "cheating", of "rules beating" that I find distasteful. So, once again returning to the patched round ball (as I did with the flint lock) represents my quiet little one man protest. Not that anyone else would ever give a schitt, but I do. For me, it's long since ceased to be about how much game I can take, but rather how I take that game. Sounds silly, I know. But it's important to me, at this stage of my life.