Manual

Never fire a muzzleloading shotgun unless you are sure that the entire

wad and shot column is properly seated firmly against the powder charge

and the ramrod has been removed from the bore. Shooters should bear in

mind that the muzzleloading charge is not crimped into position as is the

fixed cartridge. If wads do not fit tightly then jarring or movement of the

firearm can cause wads to move forward. If the shotgun is fired with the

wad and shot column (or part of it) off the powder charge, or the ramrod

is still in the bore, the wadding or the ramrod may act as a bore obstruc-

tion. THIS CAN CAUSE A RUPTURED OR BURST BARREL RESULT-

ING IN POSSIBLE INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER OR

BYSTANDERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Mark the ramrod as di-

rected and always use the ramrod to check that the charge is properly

seated before priming and firing the shotgun. If, due to fouling, a charge

of shot becomes lodged part way down the barrel, the shotgun must be

disassembled and the charge removed. See section on “Cleaning”. Also

see section on “Pulling a Charge”.

Priming Your Charged Muzzleloading Shotgun.

If you have followed

the preceding instructions, your muzzleloading shotgun will now be charged

with FFG Black Powder or RS Pyrodex and the wads and shot charge will be

firmly seated against the powder charge as illustrated on page 69. Your ram-

rod will be marked to the exact seating depth ensuring that all following

charges are seated in the same careful manner. The hammer on your firearm

will be in half-cock position.

Do not prime the firearm until you are actually ready to fire and you have

double checked to ensure that the ramrod has been removed from the

bore. Thompson/Center does not recommend priming the shotgun until

the instant before actual firing. Carrying a charged primed firearm and

relying upon the half-cock notch to act as a safety can be dangerous. Ac-

cidental discharge is a constant hazard which, if it occurs, can cause

injury and/or death to The shooter or bystanders and damage to proper-

ty. The only safe way to guard against an accidental discharge is to carry

the shotgun unprimed with the hammer on half-cock and the muzzle

pointed downrange away from yourself, bystanders or property.

WHEN YOU ARE READY TO FIRE THE CAP LOCK MUZZLELOAD-

ING SHOTGUN, PRIME THE FIREARM AS SHOWN IN PHOTO “G”.