Safety & How To

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United Nebraska Muzzleloaders Association

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Special Notices

1. Wipe bore dry. Use jag and a cleaning patch
2. For a Flintlock, clean the frizzen and flint, and then be sure the touchhole is clear using a vent pick.
3. For a Percussion rifle, inspect the nipple for any obstruction. Snap a couple of caps to clear vent - point muzzle at a blade of grass and watch for motion.
4. Pour BLACK POWDER or Pyrodex charge into a measure from a horn or flask. NEVER load directly from horn or flask. NEVER use smokeless powder.
5.   Pour measured powder down the barrel.
6.   Place lubricated or moistened patch over the bore and set lead ball on the patch.
7.   Set the ball into the bore with the short arm of a ball starter.
8.   Push the ball deeper with the long arm of a ball starter.
9.   Seat the ball against the powder charge with a ramrod.
NEVER fire any muzzleloader if the ball is not firmly seated on the powder.
10. Mark your ramrod when the ball is in place, for later reference.
11. Remove the ramrod.
12. For a Flintlock, prime the pan, close the frizzen and bring the hammer to full cock to fire. Be aware that fire will come out of the touchhole and can cause injury to anyone near by.
13.  For a Percussion rifle, place a cap firmly on the nipple and bring the hammer to full cock to fire.
14. Be certain of your target and what is behind it!! Aim and fire.
15. Run a damp patch down the bore, then a dry patch and start over.
NEVER blow down the barrel!!

1. Never allow your firearm to point at anyone. Careless gun handling and an accidental discharge could result in tragedy.
2. Never use 4Fg Black powder as a main charge. 4F burns too fast and could bust the barrel. Severe injuries are possible.
3. Never shoot out a ball that is not completely seated. Always make sure that the ball is seated against the powder. You could burst the barrel.
4. Never use more powder than your instructions call for. An overload could burst the barrel.
5. Never over prime a Flintlock, fill it only 1/4 to 1/3 full. More powder gives an excessive flash and acts as a fuse delaying ignition time.
6. Never snap a Flintlock to adjust or test the flint with the firearm loaded. Even though the pan is not primed, many firearms will fire from the sparks alone.
7. Never load directly from a horn or flask. Use a separate measure!!
8. Never smoke while loading, shooting or handling black powder.
9. Never drink alcoholic beverages while loading, shooting or handling black powder.

1.   Muzzleloading firearms are not toys. Treat them with the same respect due any firearm.
2.   Use only BLACK POWDER or Pyrodex, of the proper granulations, in your muzzleloading firearms. Such guns are not designed to withstand the higher pressures developed by modern smokeless powders.
3.   NEVER fire a muzzleloader unless the ball or shot charge is firmly seated against the powder charge. An air apace between powder and projectile will cause the barrel to be ringed or bulged, thus ruined for accurate shooting, and in some cases may cause the barrel to rupture, with possible injury to the shooter and bystanders.
4.   Do not exceed manufacturer's recommended maximum loads or attempt to load multiple projectile loads. When in doubt, secure information concerning proper loads from an authoritative source.
5.   When loading your muzzleloading firearm, do not expose your body to the muzzle. Grasp the ramrod only a short distance above where it protrudes from the barrel, pushing it down in short strokes, rather than grasping it near the outer end, where, in the event the rod breaks, serious injury can happen to the shooter's arm coming into contact with the splintered end of the broken rod.
6.   Always make sure that your downrange area is a safe impact area for your projectiles. Round balls may carry as far as 800 yards and elongated projectiles well beyond this distance.
7.   NEVER smoke while loading, shooting or handling black powder.
8.   NEVER drink alcoholic beverages while loading, shooting or handling black powder.
9.   Do not load directly from powder horn or flask. Use a separate measure. A lingering spark in the barrel can ignite the incoming charge, causing the horn or flask to explode in your hand.
10.   The halfcocked notch is not the safety notch on a muzzleloader.

The nature of a muzzleloading firearm requires that YOU, the shooter, exercise caution and skill in the care, loading, and use of such a firearm. Make certain that you are informed as to the proper steps in such care and use.
For more information, please feel free to contact any of the UNMLA Officers or Club contacts in your area.