Manual

7
SPECIAL SAFETY RULES FOR MUZZLELOADERS
In addition to the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety, there are several guidelines specific to black powder guns
that muzzleloaders must observe at all times to ensure their safety and the safety of others. The following is a brief
overview of these guidelines. For full details, thoroughly read this instruction book.
MUZZLELOADING SAFETY RULES
1. NEVER smoke while using your muzzleloader or while near any quantity of black powder, PYRODEX.
®
or Triple Seven
®
.
2.
BEFORE LOADING, MAKE SURE THE FIREARM IS NOT ALREADY LOADED. To make sure
it is unloaded, insert the ramrod provided with the rifle into the bore to the breech plug and note its position
at the muzzle. It should be approximately 1/4 inch below flush with the end of the barrel if the rifle is not
loaded.
NOTE: Nothing can be attached to the ramrod while using it in this way. USE ONLY
THE RAMROD PROVIDED.
3. ALWAYS CHECK AND CLEAR THE FLASH HOLE THROUGH THE BREECH PLUG BEFORE
SHOOTING. ALWAYS CHECK THE BARREL FOR OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LOADING AND
SHOOTING. Before checking for an obstruction, put the safety mechanism in the ‘SAFE’ position
(RED BAND WILL NOT SHOW) and remove the 209 primer and residue from the breech plug. Water, snow,
mud or any other material can obstruct the barrel and cause barrel damage.
4.
USE BLACK POWDER, PYRODEX
®
OR TRIPLE SEVEN
®
ONLY TO LOAD YOUR
MUZZLELOADING FIREARM. Never use even small amounts of smokeless powder, even if it is
black in color. The use of any other propellant may cause injury or death to the shooter or bystanders and
damage the firearm.
5.
NEVER EXCEED THE MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED POWDER CHARGE CONTAINED IN
THIS BOOK. To do so could result in injury or death to the shooter or bystanders.
6.
NEVER POUR POWDER DIRECTLY FROM A POWDER FLASK OR CONTAINER. A sudden
powder ignition from a lingering spark could cause the entire flask to explode. Use an individual charge
from a powder measure when loading your rifle. Read and follow your powder manufacturer’s procedures for
powder storage.
7.
NEVER USE THE WRONG AMMUNITION COMPONENTS. Only use ammunition components that
exactly match the caliber markings on your firearm and are meant to be used together. Use only pure lead
components when shooting lubed conical bullets. Do not use any other lead alloys with lubed conical bul-
lets as they may be too hard for proper and safe use in your muzzleloader.
8.
WHEN LOADING, BE CERTAIN POWDER, PATCHES AND PROJECTILES ARE IN
THEIR PROPER SEQUENCE AND THAT THEY ARE COMPLETELY SEATED AGAINST
ONE ANOTHER. Serious personal injury or death can result if space is left between them. To provide a
reference mark for future loadings, mark the ramrod at the muzzle once a projectile has been loaded to the
proper depth. NOTE: Be sure to recheck the ramrod mark if you change loading components or alter the
ramrod. See Picture 16 on page 18. Never attempt to shoot out a projectile that is not firmly seated against
the powder charge or does not seat to the proper depth. Remove these projectiles following the instructions
on pages 21 and 22.
9.
ALWAYS USE COTTON PATCHING. The use of non-cotton patching could build up a static electric
charge possibly creating a spark that could ignite the powder.
10.
NEVER POUND THE RAMROD. Muzzleloading propellants are impact sensitive and could ignite from
impact. Keep the ramrod directly away from your face or body.
11.
KNOW THE RANGE OF YOUR FIREARM. Muzzleloading projectiles have a range of more than
one-half mile.
12.
IF THE FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE, BE PREPARED FOR A HANGFIRE. Keep the muzzle
pointed in a safe direction and wait no less than one full minute before opening the bolt. A spark may have
reached the powder without any sound. The rifle could fire at any moment during this minute. If the rifle does
not fire within a minute, carefully follow the directions on how to handle a misfire on page 19.