Hey James,
Just guessing here, but I'm guessing these guys are assuming wrongly that you already know how to load a percussion muzzleloader when the truth is you are asking for the very basics. If I'm wrong, just ignore the rest of this ::
Make sure the hammer on your rifle is all the way down or in the half-cock position. Stand the rifle on its butt between your feet and lean it against your chest.
Next step for most folks is to use your ramrod to run a patch dampened with your favorite goo down the barrel to clean out any oil, WD40, or other rust preventative that might be in the bore, then follow with a dry patch to wipe out the excess goo. Because of our wonderful climate here, I store my barrel dry and usually skip this step.
Now put a vent pick or the quill of a feather through the vent hole at the breech end of the barrel. Close the frizzen on the pan to hold the pick/feather in place.
Next, you measure out the 'proper' amount of 3f or 2f powder and pour it down the bore.
If not using a pre-lubed patch, lubricate your patch and center it over the end of the barrel. Put your lead ball on top of the patch and push it into the opening of the bore. If the fit is loose enough, use your thumb to push the ball in as far as it will go. If the fit is tight, put the handle of a "short starter" on the ball and give it a rap with the palm of your hand to knock the ball into the opening of the bore, then use the short rod on the short starter to push the ball down about 4" - 6" or so.
Now use your ram rod to push the ball all the way down to the top of the powder charge. Use short strokes grabbed from a point only a foot or so above the barrel instead of trying to grab the rod up high and bringing it all the way down. Some folks give the rod a few taps to make sure it is all the way down. I use a steady pressure and check it against the mark I have drawn on the end of the ramrod that tells me when it is down far enough. Withdraw the ram rod and put it away.
Lift up the rifle, point it in a safe direction and withdraw the pick or feather you put in the vent. Lift the frizzen and put your priming charge in the pan then close the frizzen back into position. Point the rifle at your target and pull the hammer to full cock.
You're set! ... except now it is time to get into all the details... These guys can help out with all that, but a good beginner's guide (book) might help you get started. They might have some other recommendations, but I enjoyed "The Complete Blackpowder Handbook," available from
[url] Amazon.com[/url], but (from one of your earlier posts) I see you may have already read it...
