Traditions Side Lock Percussion - Flintlock - Manual (Page 18)

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E. Cleaning all excess oil, grease and moisture from
within the barrel before the initial loading.
For percussion models:
Method 1. Make sure the rifle is unloaded. Place a properly sized per-
cussion cap on the nipple and set the hammer on full-cock. Point the
muzzle of the gun an inch or two from a leaf, blade of grass or any other
lightweight object on the ground and fire two or three percussion caps.
This will help to clear any residue out of the nipple and ignition channel
and if by firing the cap the object is moved, the barrel is clear of obstruc-
tion. Fire two additional caps to blow out any remaining oil or moisture.
The gun is now ready for loading.
CAUTION: When performing this test be mindful to always point the barrel in a safe
direction and not towards any hard surface. Treat every gun as if it were always
loaded and can fire at any time. Make sure the gun is unloaded by the procedure out-
lined previously in Section B.
Method 2. Make sure the rifle is unloaded. Place a clean cleaning patch
on the cleaning jag end of a ramrod. Insert the ramrod with clean white
patch attached. Point the gun, with ramrod fully inserted, in a safe direc-
tion and fire a percussion cap. Remove ramrod. Observe amount of
residue on the patch. Reinsert the ramrod with clean patch. Repeat this
procedure until the patch comes out relatively free of oil and moisture.
For flint-lock models:
Unfortunately no similar cleaning procedure exists for a flint-lock model.
It is best to wipe the interior of the barrel with a progressive series of
cleaning patches afixed to the cleaning jag end of a ramrod until as much
of the oil and moisture as possible has been removed.
F. Position for loading:
1. Rifle - Stand the rifle, butt end down, on the ground between your
legs with the muzzle pointed upward and out away from you. It
helps to have a shooting table against which to rest the rifle.
2. Pistol - Either stand the pistol on a loading stand or kneel on the
ground holding the pistol between your knees.
CAUTION: With either a rifle or a pistol, never work with your face or any part of
your body over the muzzle, even when the gun is believed to be unloaded. Always
keep the muzzle of the gun pointed upward and downrange.
G. Loading the powder
(See Recommended Loads.):
1. Use only black powder or Pyrodex ® as explained in the Recom-
mended Loads in this booklet. Using a convenient powder flask or