Unloaded muzzleloader at the range?

[Loyalist Dave]

Take this perfect opportunity to EDUCATE the Range Officer on muzzleloaders and how they function!

the problem with that is you have an educated Range Officer, but you don't eliminate the uneducated folks who arrive, see the muzzleloader with nothing showing it's empty, and they point out a violation that isn't a violation. And the next guy who arrives, and the next, and so on and so on..., it gets old FAST.

It's surprising how many folks are pretty well versed on their firearm, but think they are well versed on all firearms include those with antique ignitions.... and anything drastically different for some reason, offends them....

LD

 

[PathfinderNC]

the problem with that is you have an educated Range Officer, but you don't eliminate the uneducated folks who arrive, see the muzzleloader with nothing showing it's empty, and they point out a violation that isn't a violation. And the next guy who arrives, and the next, and so on and so on..., it gets old FAST.

It's surprising how many folks are pretty well versed on their firearm, but think they are well versed on all firearms include those with antique ignitions.... and anything drastically different for some reason, offends them....

LD

True, but I was just addressing the concern of the OP regarding the Range Officer in particular.
Indeed, we all should be happy (and prepared) to educate as many people as we have the opportunity to do so about our sport and the uniqueness of it. It may to be one of the best ways to grow interest in muzzleloading.

 

[dave951]

I agree that EDUCATION is the key. Be nice, be polite, if necessary, I'll pull out my NRA cert card proving I'm an Instructor.

 

[Montgomery]

The range I shoot at is good at calling 2 minutes till range gos cold. I get my flint lock discharged well enough, I was just wondering how to display a cold flintlock, caplock? I shoot both at this range.
I lay the caplock at half cock with no cap on the nipple. And the flintlock with frizzen open and cock fully lowered. Both pointing down range. Just wondering if you guys do something else. The RO shaking his head bugs me a little.

Get a bright red plastic flag, sand down the stick part, and stick it in the nipple of the capper or touch hole of the flinter. Done! Could use a large bright red feather too. IMHO

 

[Shadowalker164]

Oh, I like that idea Montgomery! A red feather! That will work

 

[morehops52]

No RO at our range. When someone asks for a "CLEAR" if I have anything from just powder to a full load in the barrel they get a loud "NOT CLEAR - NOT CLEAR" from me. I tell them I need another minute to complete my loading and fire down range. No one has ever complained. As soon as the white smoke is in the air I yell CLEAR!

 

[FishDFly]

The range I shoot at is good at calling 2 minutes till range gos cold. I get my flint lock discharged well enough, I was just wondering how to display a cold flintlock, caplock? I shoot both at this range.
I lay the caplock at half cock with no cap on the nipple. And the flintlock with frizzen open and cock fully lowered. Both pointing down range. Just wondering if you guys do something else. The RO shaking his head bugs me a little.

Stand the life up with a range rod in the barrel with the red flag attached.

 

[pilot]

I worked as an RSO at the closest state range up till a year ago. Our procedure was to have ML shooters decap or dump the pan, not fire after a cease fire. Then the rifle goes into the rack like everyone else.

 

[ormond tony]

I go to a county range where the head RSO knows about BP shooting. When he sees my wife and I arrive, he tells all the RSOs to watch how we load, prime, cap and shoot. They also ask if we are ready to stop before blowing cease fire. We also show the RSOs how to see that the pan is empty, nipples are not capped. Flintlocks are placed hammer down and frizzen up. All firearms are laid on table pointed at target. No one is allowed within 10 feet of firing line during target changing. The RSOs are appreciative that we show them BP practices.

 

[Blitz]

RO seems to understand your situation. As long as there are no complaints just keep your muzzle up.

 

[Paul Nelson]

The range I shoot at is good at calling 2 minutes till range gos cold. I get my flint lock discharged well enough, I was just wondering how to display a cold flintlock, caplock? I shoot both at this range.
I lay the caplock at half cock with no cap on the nipple. And the flintlock with frizzen open and cock fully lowered. Both pointing down range. Just wondering if you guys do something else. The RO shaking his head bugs me a little.

I asked the RSO what I should do, he told me to put the flag between the hammer and the frizzen (or nipple if I’m shooting my cap lock) and point the muzzle down range. We get a 2min warning before the range goes cold, which is enough time for me to discharge my rifle. I put the lock in half cock before placing my flag.

 

[beyu]

IF my musket is loaded when somebody asks to go Range Cold, I ask them to wait a moment until I fire it.

After firing I step back behind the yellow line and we are all set.

 

[vibraphonusrex]

I have a short, stout range flag that came with a pistol, or something, and they just want me to place the one end between the nipple and hammer, with no cap, of course. Not sure what I would do with a flintlock—leave the frizzen forward to show no powder in the pan?

 

[nhmoose]

Must be nice to live in a state that has actually owned and run by the .Gov. Here in NH there are NONE. All are membership owned or for profit.

I would not complain about their range officers. However, a good discussion when they are not busy explaining ML and safety can help wonderfully.

The big rule should be NO handling any firearm during the cease fire allowed no matter the type.

 

[Montgomery]

I have been a Certified RO and Chief RO for years. The biggest offenders of the rules at any range are the 'older" gents who know it all! Never changes!

 

[toot]

at my range the ML, will be stood pointing muzzle up, skyward with a ram rod stuck in the barrel, sticking out.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

I put the range rod down the barrel and the vent pick in the hole. No one has ever said anything to me.

 

[andy52]

I am a RSO and a black powder enthusiast. When shooting, if there is a call for "cease fire", I inform the RSO about the status of my rifle or pistol. If fully loaded, they allow me time to get the shot off. Otherwise, I refer to the state Game & Wildlife rule for muzzleloaders. An uncapped or unprimed pan of M/L is considered "unloaded". It is then safe for transport after a day's hunt.
This is applied to the range too. The rifle is left in the upright position, safe from falling down while at the loading bench on the firing line. All personnel stand clear of all benches during cease fire while people are down range.

I would suggest a frizzen stall on a flinter they can and have fired with no primer just the spark from the flint.

 

[Montgomery]

I would suggest a frizzen stall on a flinter they can and have fired with no primer just the spark from the flint.

agree. You can never be too careful!

 

[andy52]

Had that happen at my range a couple of months ago. I had a few buddies shooting and one was having trouble getting a good spark, he was working on the flint and dropped the hammer to check for a spark. He was holding the rifle with the lock-up.
Well, it sparked and gravity carried the sparks down the vent hole, and off it went.
Fortunately, he had it pointed down range.