Muzzleloading Safety
I feel this is a very important topic, because it deals with safety issues which aren't addressed in hunter safety classes, pistol permit certifications, and the likes.
Always handle a muzzleloader with the same respect you would with any other firearm, and please keep the following in mind: (just because its a black powder firearm, doesn't mean it can't kill)
1) If you are new to muzzleloading, read and understand the manual that came with your gun.
If you don't have one, you can get one from the manufacturer, usually for free.
You can also seek instruction from some-one who is qualified. Shooting clubs and gun retailers can help you.
2) ALWAYS use black powder or "Pyrodex". NEVER use smokeless powder. It will create chamber pressures that can blow-up your gun!
When using "Pyrodex" always measure the powder by volume, NOT WEIGHT.
Never use FFFFG grain powder in the chamber, it is intended for use in flintlock flashpans ONLY.
Keep your face, and flammable materials away from the muzzle while loading.
3) NEVER USE THE SPOUT ON A POWDER FLASK TO MEASURE AND DISPENSE POWDER CHARGES ! ! !
If there is still a burning ember in the barrel from your last shot, the powder you are pouring down the barrel will act as a fuse, and turn the flask full of powder thats in your hand into A BOMB ! ! !
Always use a powder measure.
4) Eye protection is stressed even more so with muzzleloading. There is an additional hazard of flying debris from percussion caps and flints.
5) Be sure the projectile is seated against the powder charge. If it is not, it can act as a barrel obstruction and rupture the barrel.
You can tell if it is seated properly by making a mark on the ramrod, at the muzzle, when the gun is loaded and the ramrod is resting on a chambered round ball.
Use the mark you made as a guide when you reload.
6) Don't smoke around open black powder.
All it takes is one spark to produce catastrophic results.
Please shoot safely!
I feel this is a very important topic, because it deals with safety issues which aren't addressed in hunter safety classes, pistol permit certifications, and the likes.
Always handle a muzzleloader with the same respect you would with any other firearm, and please keep the following in mind: (just because its a black powder firearm, doesn't mean it can't kill)
1) If you are new to muzzleloading, read and understand the manual that came with your gun.
If you don't have one, you can get one from the manufacturer, usually for free.
You can also seek instruction from some-one who is qualified. Shooting clubs and gun retailers can help you.
2) ALWAYS use black powder or "Pyrodex". NEVER use smokeless powder. It will create chamber pressures that can blow-up your gun!
When using "Pyrodex" always measure the powder by volume, NOT WEIGHT.
Never use FFFFG grain powder in the chamber, it is intended for use in flintlock flashpans ONLY.
Keep your face, and flammable materials away from the muzzle while loading.
3) NEVER USE THE SPOUT ON A POWDER FLASK TO MEASURE AND DISPENSE POWDER CHARGES ! ! !
If there is still a burning ember in the barrel from your last shot, the powder you are pouring down the barrel will act as a fuse, and turn the flask full of powder thats in your hand into A BOMB ! ! !
Always use a powder measure.
4) Eye protection is stressed even more so with muzzleloading. There is an additional hazard of flying debris from percussion caps and flints.
5) Be sure the projectile is seated against the powder charge. If it is not, it can act as a barrel obstruction and rupture the barrel.
You can tell if it is seated properly by making a mark on the ramrod, at the muzzle, when the gun is loaded and the ramrod is resting on a chambered round ball.
Use the mark you made as a guide when you reload.
6) Don't smoke around open black powder.
All it takes is one spark to produce catastrophic results.
Please shoot safely!
