Ruger 77/50 - Manual (Page 16)

4. CAPPING THE
NIPPLE:
Remember that the
safest way to carry
any loaded
muzzleloading rifle
is uncapped. Cap it
only just before you
are immediately
ready to fire. See
“Handling Warning”,
p. 17.
Be sure you use only #11 percussion caps of good quality and correct size.
With the bolt open, carefully place a #11 cap on to the nipple. An inline
capper, sold commercially, is preferred by some shooters. It is not required,
but is especially helpful if a scope is mounted on the rifle. Do not put oil,
grease, or dirt into the open end of the cap while loading -- misfires could
result. The caps should be completely seated on the nipple without undue
pressure. Caps should only be tight enough so that they do not fall off the
nipple when the barrel is elevated with the bolt open. (See Fig. 11)
Safety
CAP
NIPPLE
SAFETY IN
"LOAD/UNLOAD"
POSITION
11
WARNING:
It is dangerous to attempt to use caps which are
too small. Never force a cap on to the nipple. Since caps fire by
percussion, excess force or a blow in seating them can cause the caps to
discharge, firing the gun and forcing hot gas out of the nipple, which can
cause injury.
!
16
5. PREPARING TO FIRE:
To normally fire the rifle, the bolt must first be closed after the nipple is
capped. This is done by pushing the bolt handle fully forward, and lowering it.
DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER WHILE OPERATING THE BOLT. KEEP THE
SAFETY IN THE “LOAD-UNLOAD” POSITION WHILE OPERATING THE
BOLT, AND MOVE IT FULLY REARWARD TO THE “SAFE” POSITION AS
SOON AS THE BOLT IS CLOSED. TOUCH THE TRIGGER ONLY WHEN YOU
ARE READY TO FIRE AND HAVE DISENGAGED THE SAFETY WHILE
AIMING AT A TARGET.
6. FIRING:
Once the safety is pushed fully forward to the “fire” position, the RUGER
MODEL 77/50 is now ready to fire. Light pressure on the trigger will cause
the striker to fall forward, striking the percussion cap, and the rifle will fire.
Always be certain that you know where the bullet will strike when you fire the
rifle.
WARNING: DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE
ACTUALLY READY TO FIRE THE RIFLE.
!
Never allow the thumb to touch the cocking piece as it can be pinched when
the striker moves forward during firing.
CAPPING THE NIPPLE