Supplement

Charging Your T/C 12 Gauge

Muzzleloading Shotgun

When charging your T/C Muzzleloading shotgun, the procedure will vary depending on

the particular choke tube installed in the barrel. Although the Encore 12 Gauge

Muzzleloading shotgun comes equipped with a TURKEY choke tube, other accessory T/C

12 Gauge choke tubes are available and will fit the Encore 12 Gauge barrel.

Using 12 Gauge Natural Wads

T/C’s Natural Wads are prelubed woven wool wads; lubed with T/C’s Natural Lube 1000

Plus Bore Butter. They are 1/8" thick, and can be used with chokes designated IMP CYL,

MOD, or FULL. They have a memory, and as such, will expand to their original diameter

after being pushed through the choke tube. They will perform triple duty; acting as a (1)

cushion wad (2) over the powder wad and (3) over the shot wad. 12 Gauge Natural Wads

will not fit through the T/C TURKEY choke tube because of the tight constriction of this

tube. When using T/C’s 12 Gauge Natural Wads, or any wads or shot cups, it will be nec-

essary to remove the TURKEY choke tube prior to loading, and reinstall it after the gun

has been charged.

Never attempt to install or remove a choke tube from a PRIMED firearm.

Always ensure that the firearm is UNPRIMED. Failure to heed this warning

could result in an accidental discharge causing injury and/or death to the

shooter or bystanders and damage to property.

The photo on page 5 shows a shooter in the process of loading a muzzleloading shotgun. Study

this photo carefully and read all of the captions before you proceed to charge your shotgun.

Before charging, insert the ramrod into the barrel and tap it up and down several times.

You will hear the metal cap of the ramrod “clink” as it makes contact with the steel sur-

face of the breech plug. Note exactly how far the ramrod extends beyond the muzzle when

the barrel is UNCHARGED. Commit this exercise to memory and practice it every time

that you handle a muzzleloading firearm. Before you attempt to load (or charge it), store

it away, hand it to another person, or leave it unattended, always check to ensure that the

firearm is uncharged (unloaded).

The next precharging exercise is to wipe the bore free of all oil or lube. Be meticulous

with your cleaning, for the presence of any amount of oil in the barrel or chamber can

dampen the powder charge and cause the gun to misfire or hangfire. Point the muzzle in