General Hints

37
4) In the event the rifle does not fire, continue pointing the rifle downrange in a
SAFE DIRECTION for
a period of at least
ONE MINUTES, or until you are sure that the CHARGE IS “DEAD” and the
chance of a hangfire has passed. After placing the rifle on safe, remove the musket cap and
verify that the powder fills all the space in the chamber and repeat the shot. If the rifle
continues to misfire, unloading may be necessary. See “
UNLOADING PROCEDURE” below.
5)
WARNING: During the loading it may happen that some black powder trickle down into the
bottom of the forend in spite the cleaning as mentioned at the point 2b). A periodical control,
disassembling the forend is recommended to avoid any black powder cumulous. If powder
gets into this area, there is a chance that the flash from the cap communicating with the now
accumulated powder at the gas seal,
COULD EXPLODE causing DAMAGE TO THE RIFLE and
INJURY TO THE SHOOTER.
To disassemble the forend, loosen the screw (part. # 62), or remove the barrel’s bands
To adjust and use the set trigger and for sighting adjustment, see section “G
ENERAL TECHNICAL
INSTRUCTIONS” in this booklet.
UNLOADING PROCEDURE
1) We suggest not to open the breech block when the rifle is loaded, but if you have to, make
sure to follow the instructions below.
2) With the barrel pointed in a safe direction, place the hammer on safe position. C
AREFULLY
remove the musket cap. After the cap has been removed, point the muzzle toward the ground.
Tap the rifle a few times to settle the powder back towards the front of the main chamber. This
will allow you to open the breech without pulling powder which would normally settle in the
chamber and into the gas seal.
3) With the barrel still pointing down, and after the rifle has been tapped a few times, carefully
draw down the slide and open the breech. Turn the rifle upsidedown so the powder will flow
down, away from the forend and out of the top of the breech, inside a water filled bowl to avoid
that the black powder may get spilled on the ground.
FOREND SHOULD BE UP AND TOP OF THE
BREECH SHOULD BE FACING DOWN. Do not allow powder to trickle down into the bottom of the
breech or the forend. Check and clean the parts disassembling the breech block and the
forend.
4) Use a wooden dowel or ramrod to push the bullet from the muzzle out of the chamber.
5) Clean and inspect the vent and nipple before reloading. Fire a couple of caps through the
unloaded rifle to aid clearing out the nipple and vent, prior to loading.
6) Warning: Make sure there is no smoldering paper residue left in chamber
BEFORE LOADING
AGAIN.
BRASS CASES LOADING
As an alternative to the traditional paper cartridge we offer new brass cases for the .45 caliber
(USA 517-451) and for the .54 caliber modern style bullet (USA 517-54A) and for original style
bullet (USA 517-54B).
The modern style bullet (USA 524) and the original style bullet (USA 519) have a different shape.
The first have a more cylindrical section than the second therefore it catches first with the rifling
through the free bore, while the second gets into the rifling having the bottom base section in the
free bore. This is the reason of two brass cases for the .54 caliber USA 517-54A shorter, but with a
lager diameter for the modern bullet and USA 517-54B longer with a less wide diameter. In spite
the different lengths the inside volume is the same.
1) Our shooting tests have shown good results with Swiss brand black powder no.2 grain size. In
the 45 caliber try between 50 and 60 grains and for the larger .54 caliber try between 60 and
80 grains. Note that when using the brass cartridge cases this large amount cannot be used
and the .45 cal. will take 47 to 50 grs. and the .54 will take 52 to 55 grs. (depending upon the
powder grain size being used as well as the length of bullet being used). Among all the
currently available powders the Swiss brand has been found to be somewhat more powerful so
if you use another brand you may require more grains of powder. Lower bullet velocity