Charging and Firing the Muzzleloader, contd.

7. Seat the projectile, and push it into the barrel using the shorter part of the ball starter.
8. Use the longer part of the starter to push the projectile as far as possible into the bore.
9. Use the ramrod to push the projectile fully down and seat it firmly on the powder.
10. Go to the firing line. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, your finger off the trigger, and the safety on if you have one. Prepare to fire.
    • On a Flintlock Firearm: Pull the hammer to a half-cock position and open the priming pan cover. Check your flint, making sure it is sharp and the setting is tight and properly adjusted. Insert a vent pick or fine wire into the barrel’s touchhole to make sure the opening is clear. With your priming horn, fill the pan about three-fourths full of priming powder. Close the frizzen and pull the hammer to full cock when you’re ready to fire the shot safely.
    • On a Percussion Lock Firearm: Place the cap on the nipple.
    • On an In-Line Firearm: Place the cap on the nipple.
11. Be sure of the target and what is in front of it and beyond it.
12. Fire the gun.

    

    • Raise the firearm to your shoulder. With your finger on the trigger guard, take aim, release the safety if you have one, and fire by squeezing the trigger.
    • If the gun fails to fire, keep the muzzle pointed downrange in a safe direction. The gun may have a delayed firing (hangfire). Wait for at least 30 seconds.
13. If the gun has not fired after 30 seconds, follow this procedure.
    • On a Flintlock Firearm:
      • Re-prime the pan, and try again. Wait for another 30 seconds.
      • If the firearm still fails to fire, use a CO2 discharger to remove the projectile and powder charge. If the CO2 discharger fails, consult your owner’s manual for proper procedures to unload your firearm safely.
    • On a Percussion Lock Firearm or an In-line Firearm:
      • Place another cap on the nipple, and try again. Wait for another 30 seconds.
      • If the firearm still fails to fire, use a CO2 discharger to remove the projectile and powder charge. If the CO2 discharger fails, consult your owner’s manual for proper procedures to unload your firearm safely.
14. After firing, prepare for the next round. Remember, do not lean over, stand in front of, or blow down the muzzle.
    • On a Flintlock Firearm:
      • Put the safety on if you have one, leave the frizzen open, and return to the loading station to clean the bore with a patch moistened with black powder solvent bore cleaner or water.
      • Swab with a dry patch to dry the bore.
    • On a Percussion Firearm:
      • Put the safety on if you have one, and return to the loading station to clean the bore with a patch moistened with black powder solvent bore cleaner or water.
      • Swab with a dry patch to dry the bore.
      • Return to the firing station. Repeat the firing process as explained in step 3. Then return to the loading station.
    • On an In-Line Firearm:
      • Place the hammer in the half-cocked position, put the safety on if you have one, and return to the loading station to clean the bore with a patch moistened with black powder solvent bore cleaner or water.
      • Swab with a dry patch to dry the bore.
      • Return to the firing station. Repeat the firing process as explained in step 3. Then return to the loading station.
15. Load the next round.