Relying on 50 years of muzzleloading hunting experiences in all parts of the U.S. with occasional trips to Europe and Africa, Wm. Hovey Smith delivers candid and practical advice on muzzleloading guns ranging from Japanese matchlocks to the most modern in-line rifles and pistols. Never restricted to a given type or hunting or make of gun, he presents information on guns from many makers of replica muzzleloaders as well as on a number of originals that are now available on the U.S. market. As may be seen in the list of chapters that follows, the book is comprehensive in its coverage, unusual in its approach and full or useful information for the hunter, shooter and owners of muzzleloading guns of all sorts. The 17 chapters in the book are: 1. Choosing between today's muzzleloading powders, 2. Managing percussion and electric ignition systems, 3. Twenty-one steps to flintlock success, 4. Tyrrany of the match: Shooting matchlock guns, 5. Shooting the percussion revolver, 6. Muzzleloaders and round balls: How effective are they?, 7. Muzzleloading bullets and shot placement: Big and slow vs. light and fast, 8. Home casting bullets, 9. Shooting sabots and such, 10. Are 150 grain charges useful in today's in-line muzzleloaders?, 11. Weatherproofing your muzzleloader, 12. The fumble factor in muzzleloader hunting, 13. The four levels of muzzleloading accuracy: What they are and how to achieve them, 14. Cleaning your muzzleloader, 15. Storing muzzleloading guns, 16. Muzzleloading accessories and 17. Getting your new muzzleloader ready to hunt in one day. The book contains 20 illustrations and links to YouTube videos.