Newbie to the Muzzle world

[Arrowhead]

Let me start off by saying I AM TOTALLY NEW TO THE MUZZLE LOADER WORLD!  I have wanted to get into muzzle loaders for quite some time, but never had the opportunity or cash.  Recently, due to a death in the family, I received 3 black powders -- a 36 cal revolver, 36 cal derringer, and a 54 cal rifle.  I contacted TC and got an owners manual for the rifle ( its a renegade model ), but was unsuccessful for manuals on the two pistols.
My main concerns currently is getting the equipment I need.  I have checked out Cabelas, Sportsmans, and Wholesale Sports for stuff, but basically keep getting told that they only carry 50 cal and some assorted items.  So where is a good place to start and look for the 36 and 54 cal stuff I need?  I know this is a personal opinion (like Ford vs Chevy), but I need some place to start.  Most have told me to search the internet, which I have, but I would like an opinion on the stores to deal with, and those to stay away from.
One place I have checked out and liked so far is Traditions, but I'm sure there are other quality dealers out there that I have not found.

How do I thoroughly clean the rifle's barrel?  Without a bolt or breach plug, I cannot see all the way down into the breech even with my bore light, or a high intensity LED flashlight.  And unlike the newer in line muzzle loaders, I can't just pop it open to run a rod all the way through it to clean it.  I have been unable to find a 54 cal cleaning brush or tip locally, so I used a shotgun brush and plently of wipes on a .06 tip to clean it up as best as I could when I got it home.  From the little I can see, the barrel doesnt look to bad at all, no real pitting that I can tell.  But way down at the bottom, theres the areas I cant see very well, and I just dont know.  I plan on ordering a brush with all the extra stuff I need from online.

Also, is there any "tribal knowledge" or "interesting facts" that you could pass on to someone just starting out?  I was told by gentleman at Cabelas to seal the derringer's and revolver's cylinders with Crisco, to keep the other cylinders from going off and help keep them water/dirt free.  And to never load the rifle over 100 grains, no matter what.  Any other info would be greatly appreciated.
And what would be the "essential" equipment/extras that I need to purchase to get started?
Thanks for your time and any and all responses.

[baldopepper]

Try  Muzzleloader Supply on River Road in Puyallup.  They''ve always seemed very knowledgeable and helpful when I've dealt with them.

[spookgus]

This is how I clean the barrel on a sidelock. Separate the barrel from the stock. Remove the nipple. Place barrel muzzle up in a bucket of hot water and dish soap. Throw the nipple in the bucket and clean with tooth brush and paper clip. Scrub the bore with a patched jag. The patched jag will have enough suction to pull and push the soap water through the nipple opening. Repeat till patch stays clean. Rinse the bore with boiling water. Let cool and swab bore with Bore Butter. If someone has shot sabots in my sidelock I will use a nylon brush on the bore prior to cleaning. It may be just me, but I don't like to change directions on a metal brush while the brush is still in the barrel. The owners manual should have all the mandatory info.

[WonkyWapiti]

I'll second Muzzleloader Supply in Puyallup.  If anyone else has any additional places they like to purchase from please post'em up here.  Muzzleloader Supply is the only place around I can find those German musket caps.  I was at Cabelas in Lacey on Friday and was looking to pick up some stuff for my muzzleloader.  I asked on the off chance that they carried the German musket caps and I was told that they were out of ALL musket caps and had no idea when they would be in.  I was told that Cabelas does not carry the German musket caps.  How can a store as big as Cabelas be out of musket caps less than a month out from muzzleloader season.   

[jollyskwala]

Cabelas in Post Falls carries some .54 cal supplies but  it's limited. Not sure if all Cabela's carry the same.