Mossberg 50 12 gauge Muzzleloader - Manual (Page 2)

MUZZLELOADING BARREL
OWNER’S MANUAL
This Rifled Muzzleloading Barrel is designed for the Mossberg 500 ®
and the Maverick 88 TM , 12 gauge, 6-shot, pump action shotguns.
Safety and safe firearms handling is everyone’s responsibility.
REMOVING POWDER CHARGE
Wait at least one full minute with the muzzle pointed downrange and the safety button in the fully “ON” (SAFE) position.
Open the action, remove the primer and place a small amount of bore cleaner through the primer hole, thoroughly soaking the powder.
Using a ball puller (a screw-like device placed on the end of a ramrod), screw directly into the projectile. Once the ball puller is anchored,
the projectile can be pulled out of the bore. Empty out all powder and thoroughly clean the bore and the inside breech plug powder
cavity (see diagram). Depending on factors such as cleanliness of the bore, the projectile may be difficult to remove. Seek guidance from
a qualified source if difficulty is encountered.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
The bore of the muzzleloader should be cleaned every few shots during shooting or whenever seating the projectile becomes
difficult. This will eliminate fouling which prevents proper seating of projectile on powder and it will also reduce the danger of
ramrod breakage.
Powder fouling is corrosive and can rust the barrel and the firearm’s components in a short time. Disassembly of the shotgun is required
as described in its Owner’s Manual. Each component must be thoroughly cleaned and oiled after firing is completed.
Use Bore Cleaner or hot soapy water.
1) Move the safety button to the fully “ON” (SAFE) position.
2) Remove your barrel from the action and place the breech end into a container of soapy water.
Alternatively, one end of a small rubber hose can be placed over the primer cavity with other end in a small bottle containing
a bore cleaner solvent.
3) Pump the soapy water or bore cleaner solvent through the primer cavity with a patch and cleaning rod.
The ramrod with a patch serves as a piston to suck the soapy water (or bore cleaner) into the barrel through the primer cavity.
4) Flush with hot water and completely patch-dry the bore and the breech plug primer and powder cavity (see diagram) while
they are still hot.
5) When the barrel is cool, oil the barrel and other metal parts with a rust preventative.
a. Store firearms in a dry place with good air ventilation.
b. If stored in a container, it should be well ventilated.
P/N 13062
Rev. B
8) Insert the ramrod down the barrel to the breech plug and mark the ramrod where it protrudes from the muzzle. This reference mark
will serve as a future guide indicating an unloaded barrel.
Refer to the primer manufacturer’s loading and use information prior to using it in your Mossberg muzzleloader.
With the safety on, the action open (bolt to the rear) and the muzzle pointed downward in a safe direction, insert a 209 shotshell
primer through the ejection port into the breech plug primer cavity. The primer is held in position by gravity.
While observing that it does not dislodge, close the action by sliding the forearm fully forward, locking the bolt.
Point the firearm in a safe direction, move the safety to the “off” position and fire the primer.
Repeat this procedure three times to dry out the barrel’s interior. Use caution when extracting a spent primer, it will be hot.
With the safety button in the fully “ON” (SAFE) position, the action open, the muzzle pointed up, with no primer in the breech and with
no part of your body extended over the firearm, pour a MEASURED charge down the barrel.
Establish the best efficiency level of your muzzleloader by using a lighter charge than recommended. Record its performances as
you gradually increase the charges to the recommended load. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED CHARGE LIMITS as
exceeding the recommended level can cause excessive pressures and could cause serious injury, damage to the barrel or firearm,
or death. Use only those loads that are listed for your caliber and bullet style.
Never pour directly from a horn or flask. If a smoldering ember within the barrel ignites the charge as it is poured directly into the
barrel, the excessive source of powder could cause a dangerous explosion.
• Slap the side of the barrel firmly at the breech area. This practice will aid the powder to fully settle in the breech.
• If using a round ball projectile, center a well lubricated cloth patch over the bore. A patch is not required with a conical projectile.
• Press lead round ball (with sprue “up”) on center of patch.
• With “starter” (shorter) end of ball seater, seat the patched ball or conical projectile just into the muzzle.
• Use the longer end of ball seater to move the chosen projectile further down the barrel.
• With the larger end of the ramrod, firmly push or lightly tap the projectile on top of powder, without crushing powder. When using
a ramrod, never grab it more than 8 inches above the muzzle. To do so could cause side stress, break the ramrod and, possibly,
puncture your hand.
• Never fire a muzzleloader unless the projectile is firmly seated against the powder charge. A method of determining proper load
depth is to insert the ramrod when the firearm is fully loaded. Mark the ramrod at the point where it protrudes from the muzzle.
Remove the ramrod. This mark should serve as a reference point each time you load. If the mark is above the muzzle, it indicates
the projectile is not against the powder and the charge must be reseated or removed or the powder charge and/or the projectile
was double loaded (see Removing Powder Charge).
• Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other
substances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all
times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
With the safety in the fully “ON” (SAFE) position, the action open (bolt to the rear) and the muzzle pointed downward in a safe
direction, insert a 209 shotshell primer through the ejection port into the breech plug primer cavity. The primer is held in position
by gravity, ensure it is properly seated. While observing that it does not dislodge, close the action by carefully sliding the forearm
fully forward locking the bolt. Pressure from the bolt can discharge an improperly seated primer causing serious injury, damage to
the barrel or firearm, or death.
The muzzleloader is now loaded and ready to fire.
• After firing, wait sufficient time to allow all remaining sparks in the barrel to burn out prior to reloading.
• If a misfire (failure to fire) occurs, place the safety button in the fully “ON” (SAFE) position; wait one minute with the firearm
pointed at the target. Then reseat the projectile on the powder and place a new primer in the breech cavity and refire.
• If the firearm still does not fire, place the safety button in the fully “ON” (SAFE) position. With the firearm pointed at the target, wait
for a full minute. The projectile and powder charge must be removed.