General Hints

8
8) B
LACK POWDER LEAVES HEAVY RESIDUES, after firing a prompt and through bore and all metal
parts cleaning is an absolute necessity to black powder shooters.
9) Use only non-synthetic cloth patching.
10) P
ROTECT YOUR EYES from sparks, lead fragments, pieces of caps or flints, by wearing
shatterproof shooting glasses.
11) It is advisable to protect your ears by using ear-plugs or muff, when firing your muzzleloader.
12) Never fire at water, flat or hard surfaces.
13) Always check your barrel for obstructions prior to loading or firing. Water, mud, snow or any
other materials could obstruct the barrel and cause it to be blown apart.
14) T
REAT A MISFIRE FOR FAILURE WITH EXTREME CARE. Keep the gun pointed to a safe direction
and wait for at least one full minute before repriming; there is always the chance a spark could
be smoldering in the powder and the gun could fire at any moment.
15) Make sure your gun is in firing condition before you pull the trigger.
16) N
EVER POUR POWDER INTO THE BORE DIRECTLY FROM A POWDER FLASK OR CONTAINER a sudden
powder ignition from a lingering spark could cause the entire flask to explode. Instead use an
individual charge from a powder measure when loading your muzzleloading gun (item USA
199).
17) N
EVER ATTEMPT TO SHOOT OUT A BALL WHICH IS NOT FIRMLY SEATED AGAINST THE POWDER
CHARGE
. Any air space between the projectile and/or wad and powder could cause serious
damages to the firearms and injury to the shooter.
If powder fouling or other circumstances should cause the projectile to become lodged in the
bore, partially down the barrel, the ball must be removed with a screw tip style bullet-puller
(item USA 545) of the proper caliber.
Some black powder solvents can be poured to soften any fouling which could be holding the
ball. U
NDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE INDIVIDUAL ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE PERCUSSION
DRUM OR BREECH PLUG FROM THE FIREARM.
18) Before you start loading, make always sure that the gun is not already loaded. For the purpose
we suggest you to insert the ramrod into the empty barrel and mark a line on it at the muzzle
height. This line will be your reference for the empty barrel. Make another line marking after
you loaded first the powder and so one for the wad (if used) and one for the ball. The three
reference lines (four if you use a wad) will give you an immediate vision of possible future
loading mistakes.
19) Never bring a loaded firearm into a house, or car, or truck...
20) Never drink alcoholic beverages before or while shooting.
21) Consult a competent firearm instructor to clarify any instructions that you might not understand
or contact us directly.
22) If you sell, trade or give this weapon to another person, make sure to give him this booklet or
at least inform him that a copy is available at no charge from Davide Pedersoli Co.
23) Be a safe shooter.