Manual

The photo on page 25 shows a shooter in the process of loading a Omega muzzle-

loader. Study this photo carefully and read all the captions before you proceed to charge

your Omega muzzleloader rifle.

Before charging your Omega, open the action (swing the breech block down) by

pivoting the trigger guard forward. Look into the breech plug primer pocket and check

to make sure there is no primer in the pocket. Hold the muzzle up to the light and look

through the ignition channel to ensure that there is no charge present. Insert the ramrod

into the muzzle and tap it up and down several times. You will hear the metal cap of the

ramrod “clink” as it contacts the steel face of the breech plug.

Note exactly how far the ramrod goes into the barrel when the gun is not charged.

Commit this exercise to memory and practice it every time that you handle the Omega, or

any other muzzleloader. Before you attempt to load it - before you store it away - before

you hand it to a friend or leave it unattended, always check to ensure that the firearm is

unprimed and uncharged.

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

with your cleaning for the presence of any amount of oil in the barrel or cham-

ber can dampen the powder charge and cause the rifle to misfire or hangfire

(see section on “Cleaning”). Point the muzzle in a safe direction and snap several 209

shotshell primers in the breech plug before charging. This will ensure ignition and clear

away any oil that may have accumulated in the ignition channel.

Adjust the powder measure to the desired charge and fill it with Black Powder or an

approved Black Powder substitute, such as Pyrodex. To achieve accuracy, consistency in

the powder charge is required. Fill the measure exactly the same each time. Set the rifle

on its butt with the action open and

hold the muzzle away from your face and body

as pictured on page 25. Pour the measured charge down the barrel and strike the side

of the barrel several sharp raps with the heel of your hand. This will settle the powder into

the chamber area of the barrel. If you are using Pyrodex Pellets - remember to insert the

black end into the muzzle first. The black end contains Black Powder to aid in positive

ignition. Seat the projectile firmly on top of the pellet or pellets. Do Not pound on the ram-

rod or beat the projectile with excessive force, so as to crush the pellet(s).

The loading data found in this manual was compiled using Black Powder or Pyrodex

as a propellant. With any other approved Black Powder substitute follow the instructions

supplied by the manufacturer and heed all warnings as they apply to loading and usage of

that product.