Manual

SAFETY RULES

FOR ANY

THOMPSON/CENTER

MUZZLELOADER

In addition to the Safety Responsibilities covered so far in this

manual, there are several guidelines specific to black powder

muzzleloading guns that must be adhered to at all times to

ensure the safety of the shooter and others.

•

NEVER USE SMOKELESS POWDER OF ANY TYPE OR IN

ANY QUANTITY IN A MUZZLELOADING FIREARM, AND

NEVER MIX POWDERS. The use of any smokeless powder

could result in a detonation or explosion which could cause

injury and/or death to the shooter or bystanders and damage

to property.

• USE ONLY BLACK POWDER OR AN APPROVED BLACK

POWDER SUBSTITUTE SUCH AS PYRODEX® 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 to property.

•

NEVER SMOKE WHILE USING YOUR MUZZLELOADER.

The spark from a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe can ignite

Black Powder or a Black Powder substitute such as Pyrodex,

Percussion Caps or Primers. Smoking around a charged

and/or primed muzzleloader, percussion caps, primers, prim-

ing powder or supply of powder may cause premature firing of

the gun or an explosion of the powder can, horn or flask caus-

ing serious injury and/or death to the shooter or bystanders

and damage to property.

• BEFORE LOADING, MAKE SURE THE MUZZLELOADING

FIREARM IS NOT ALREADY CHARGED. To make sure it is

uncharged, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and

insert the ramrod provided with the rifle into the bore. Note the

position of the ramrod in relation to the muzzle. It will be

slightly below the end of the barrel if the rifle is not loaded.

• NEVER EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM

CHARGE LISTED IN THIS BOOK. To do so could result in

injury or death to the shooter or bystanders.

• NEVER POUR POWDER DIRECTL

Y 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

muzzleloading firearm. Read and follow your powder manu-

facturer’s procedures for powder storage.