Butt Pistol

Make Sure That Your Muzzle Loading Supplies are Up to Snuff

Your muzzle loading supplies can make all the difference between having an enjoyable and safe outing with your muzzle loader, or having a dangerous one. Muzzle loading, in its simplest definition is the process for arming a pistol or a rifle that must be loaded from the front (or directly down the barrel of the gun). In most cases muzzle loaders are old weapons; predominately rifles, but some variations include pistols and shotguns as well. With interest in muzzle loaders gaining ground with gun enthusiasts, some gun manufacturers have taken to making new versions of these old standard bearers that are often used by hunters to increase the challenge of the hunt.

Available in two styles, a muzzle loader will either have a side-lock action or an inline action to fire the projectile. Inline mechanisms tend to be a little more reliable and will often fend off bad weather a little better than their side-lock counterparts. Despite all of the talk around the campfire about these guns being difficult to aim, in the hands of a trained user, they can be truly deadly.

Basic muzzle loader supplies are as follows:

• A ramrod for installing and packing gunpowder, projectile, and wads
• Cleaning jag in appropriate caliber, to fit your ramrod
• Cleaning patches
• Projectiles (and cloth patches if using round balls)
• Lubricant for bullets and/or for patches
• Black powder
• Powder measure designed for black powder
• Bullet starter

Basic steps for loading a muzzle loader are as follows:

1)      Gather up all of the necessary muzzle loader supplies and organize them in a fashion in which they are all easily obtainable.

2)      Check to make sure that the gun IS NOT primed before taking any further action!

3)      Clean the bore of the gun using cleaning patches – make sure that there is no excess oil in the barrel.

4)      Holding the gun upright with the muzzle pointing up (making sure that it is still pointed away from you at all times) load black powder into your powder measure and then poor the gunpowder down the barrel of the gun.

5)      Tap the butt of the gun on a solid surface or rap the heel of your hand against the bottom to make sure that the powder settles to the bottom.

6)      Load a patched round ball (lubricated) or Maxi-ball into the barrel with the bullet starter.

7)      Using the ramrod, press the projectile down the barrel until it comes in contact with the gunpowder at the bottom of the barrel. Do not fire a muzzle loader if the projectile is not all the way down and up against the gunpowder as this is very dangerous!

8)      Prime the muzzle loader by cocking the hammer back and then installing a properly sized percussion cap into the nipple.

9)      No gun should be fully cocked until it is pointing down range at the target with a safe backdrop behind the target. When ready to fire the weapon, pull the hammer back to the fully cocked position, aim, and pull the trigger.

This is a general summary of the muzzle loader supplies that are necessary to fire a muzzle loader, but it is not meant to be all inclusive of all of the additional safety steps that should be taken in the loading process. One should consult a trained professional for full instructions!

About the Author

AmericaReloads.com offers high quality, affordable Muzzle Loader Supplies and Cleaning Supplies that are perfect for you, your friends, loved ones and everyone who know the fun and value of Reloading.

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