Bill,
My small 8 is a H&H paradox 8 To 10 dram gun, the big 8(7) bore is a T. Bland 10 dram conical gun. I have shot them only with black powder, I use Swiss. Except for bullet sizing I assemble the rounds with a mallet,dowel and metal plate. I have recently added a crimping tool. I find that about 6 to 8 rounds to be adequate for a tripp to the range. Although I have been given some data on blue dot loads I haven't tried them, all the smoke is half the fun.