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This section is intended to provide basic information that you should be aware of and practice. The information presented is intended to get firearms owners to think and act safely. You, the owner or handler, are responsible for your actions.
BLACK POWDER AND MUZZLE LOADING
WARNING: Black powder is classed as an explosive and can be ignited by static discharge. Black powder should be stored in its original container. Plastic and other static prone container should not be used. Always ground yourself to dissipate any static charge before handling gun powders, especially black powder.
If you are new to muzzle loaders and black powder, get instruction from someone experienced before setting out on your own.
There are many safety practices that are unique to shooting muzzle loading arms. A basic rule at ranges is no handling of firearms behind the firing line. You may find muzzle loaders being handled for loading behind the firing line. This practice is based on the need to remove the handling of black powder from the flame and sparks generated on the firing line. These arms are however not primed (powder or percussion cap) until on the firearm line and at all times muzzle control is practiced.
Some typical Q&As:
Why do people load their arm behind the line when
others are firing?
To avoid exposure to sparks that could ignite the
powder your handling while loading.
Why do they use those brass measuring tubes rather
than loading from a classic powder horn?
There are two reasons for the tubes. One is
to get the correct amount of powder and the other is to minimize the amount of
powder you have exposed during loading. Should a charge of powder be
ignited during loading you want only a limited amount to go off. Brass is
typically used as it is less likely to cause a spark than other materials.
If you see classic powder horns being used, look closely. You will find an
automatic cutoff that isolates the main bulk powder while the measured charge is
being added to the barrel.
Why do I see people blowing down the barrel of a
muzzle loading rifle?
This is to extinguish any remaining sparks so you
don't get ignition of the new charge when you pour it down the barrel.
Keep your face away from the muzzle just in case.
When is a muzzle loader considered loaded?
When there is anything in the barrel. How do
I tell? Use the ram rod to measure the distance from the back of the breach to
the end of the barrel. Mark the rod, then insert it into the barrel. If
the mark isn't at the end of the barrel then there is something in the barrel
and it should be considered loaded.
How do you unload a muzzle loader?
You shoot it. If you can't shoot it you have
to pull the ball. The older way was to use a brass reverse cork screw to
dig into the ball and then pull it. A safer approach is to use the CO2 powdered
gadgets that blow the charge out from the flash hole.
Why is it important to assure the projectile is full
seated onto the powder charge?
Black powder arms can essentially push out of the
barrel a reasonable number of charges as long as everything is tightly
packed. Any space or gap between the powder charge and the projectile can
result in a barrel rupture. AKA it blew up.
Legal disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to tell someone what to do but is intended to provide the reader with things to think about when making decisions. All liability for actions taken as a result of reading this information is the sole responsibility of the reader.