Traditions Side Lock Percussion - Flintlock - Manual (Page 10)

2
MUZZLELOADING ‘MUSTS’ FOR
MUZZLELOADING SUCCESS
1. Read, understand and be willing to follow all instructions and war-
ranty limitations outlined in this booklet before loading or whenever
shooting your new
2. Always treat any firearm as if it were loaded.
3. Always wear proper quality eye and ear protection when loading, fir-
ing or cleaning any firearm.
4. Don’t shoot until you are absolutely sure of your target and what is
beyond it. Do not point your gun at anything you do not intend to
shoot. Be mindful that this firearm has a range in excess of a half a
mile and you are responsible for safety. Make sure you have a safe
and secure backstop of proper thickness and density necessary to
capture the projectiles.
5. Use only the proper grade of black powder or Pyrodex ® in properly
measured amounts. Be sure to reference the loading chart in this
booklet (Recommended Loads).
6. Never use any amount of smokeless gun powder in your muzzle-
loader. Although, also black in color, smokeless powder is a very dif-
ferent chemical composition and it will produce dangerous pressures
resulting in serious injury or death to yourself or bystanders and will
damage your firearm.
7. Never smoke or permit others to smoke in the presence of black powder
or Pyrodex ® . Take care to guard against all potential ignition sources.
8. Be certain that the powder is of the proper type and granulation and
measured carefully in a calibrated measuring device to a safe recom-
mended amount.
9. Never load powder into a gun directly from a can, powder horn or
flask or similar high volume container. Always use a separate cali-
brated powder measuring device. A remaining spark or ember in the
barrel may cause unintentional ignition of the powder.
10. Be certain that the patches are the correct size and type, and are
loaded in their proper sequence and that the projectile is firmly seat-
ed on top of the propellant Use only cotton or linen shooting patches
when loading round lead balls. Do not use a patch with a sabot. Do
not use a sabot with a round ball.
11. No projectiles other than those specifically recommended in this man-
ual should be used in your muzzleloader.