Loading the Buffalo Gun on the Range

[Crew Chief]

I have read a lot about the buffalo hunters and the accounts mention them sitting around in the afternoons or evening loading cartridges. Not much is mentioned on the technique. I know they mostly used paper patched bullets and used grease wads but I can't find mention of melting lead and making bullets on the range. Did they worry about consistent weights of the bullet like we do now. Did they get specific about the bullet alloy or did they just melt pure lead?

I guess I had too much time on my hands after my nap yesterday and got to wondering about these things.