[Jeff Higgins]

Most states do not allow breach loaders of any kind during black powder seasons. I know Montana used to, and still might, refering to theirs as a "black powder" season instead. Again, check the rules for your intended states - they vary more than any other hunting rules, as far as equipment allowed.

Rifles like the Knight Disc, with their sealed breach and/or 209 primers, are illegal in many states. They may be legal in Wisconsin, but they are not legal here, for example. Same for optics. Check the regs...

Pre-formed powder charges, like the Pyrodex pellets, are certainly not a "must". Loose powder works just as well and is far more versatile with regards to developing an accurate load for a particular rifle. The pellets are typically 50 grains each, therefor only allowing for loads of 50, 100, or 150 (which most rifles are not rated for anyway) grains. Your rifle may shoot far better with, say, 90 or 110 grains than it would with 100. Loose powder allows you to explore that.

There are a good variety of plastic "ready loaders" on the market that hold a powder charge, a bullet, and a primer in one handy plastic container, partitioned between powder and bullet. A couple of those in your shirt pocket and you can reload as quickly and easily as with the pellets. Maybe even more so.