Patterning a new gun?

[Sir Michael]

That would depend on who made the barrel.  

If you get up to 1/2 the weight of the ball I'd recommend you start over.  Review the groups you've shot, pick the best and look at ball size and/or patch thickness.  My loads are based on historic loads used for the same rifle.  As was said previously, every gun is different and even two factory made guns with consecutive serial numbers may be different.  Everything said here is just a starting point.

This whole process also gives you a chance to get thoroughly familiar with your rifle and gives you the confidence to know that if after you finish and you miss your target it is you not the rifle or load.

[Riley/MN]

Wow! 200 gr is a lot of powder!!!
That brings up my next question. Is there a formula for the maximum amount of powder that a specific caliber can safely handle?

O that's nuthin! How do you think he got the name bigsmoke? John likes ta shoot guns where he uses a teacup for a powder measure....

[prairie dog]

You guys have explained it very well.  I enjoy the heck out of working up loads for my firearms.  Which may be the reason I have so darn many deer rifles.

I also got a copy of Dutch's system and follow that for my muzzle loaders.  That system was the short cut for a long learning curve.  I'd spent a lot of time and components unnecessarily before I learned the finer points of it.  There were two items in his system I hadn't known about or figured out myself.  That alone was worth the small price I gave Dutch for his "secrets"

Whether center fire or muzzle loader I look at the load development as an on going project.  I don't try to get it all done at once.  I take my time testing variables until I get it all dialed in and find that "sweet spot" for each variable.  Once I find it, I write it down.  Then I'm on to the next gun.  Each gun is a puzzle and I enjoy working with them until I have it all put together.  Then I need another project.