Charlestown, New Hampshire's First Name was Number4 in the 1700's - Part Four, being a interpreter and re-enactor at our Fort at No.4 here in Charlestown, New Hampshire. I thought I'd share with you the Do's and Don'ts of Muzzleloading Safety. The kind of shoulder arms you'll see being carried by the re-enactors and interpreters at the Fort at No.4 when you visit, are flintlock smoothbore muskets.

This part will have to do with the important Don'ts for the safety of a Muzzleloader:

Never fire a muzzleloader unless the ball is firmly seated against the powder charge. Firing a muzzleloader with the ball off the powder or part way up the barrel, could very will cause serious damage to your firearm and or serious injury to yourself. (note to my readers, when we are re-enacting or demonstrating. We only use powder in our arms).

Never attempt to shoot out a ball which is mot firmly seated against the powder charge. The ball and powder charge should always be removed. Start by putting a small amount of black powder bore cleaner through the nipple or clean-out screw hole, thoroughly soak the powder. Now screw a ball puller directly into the ball. Once you have anchored the ball puller into the ball. it can be pulled out of the barrel of your muzzleloader. Now dump the powder charge out of the barrel.

Never use FFFFg black powder for a barrel charge in any kind of muzzleloader at any time. The only safe use for this fine priming powder is for the priming pan on a flint lock. FFFFg fine powders will cause excessive pressures and there have been cases where a barrel has burst.

 

Do not exceed the manufacturer's recommended maximum powder charge. The proper charge for a muzzleloading firearm is an efficient load which will provide you a consistent ignition, consistent velocity and yields a barrel chamber pressure which is well below the maximum safe levels of your firearm.

Never never lean over or stand in front of the muzzle at any time.

Never drink alcohol while shooting or hunting!!! Never smoke while loading, shooting with or handling black powder. Always follow the manufacturer's safety precautions, as listed on the container. All it takes is one spark and its going to spell disaster.

Do not pour a powder charge directly from a powder horn or flask. If there is a smoldering ember present in your barrel, it will ignite the powder charge, as its poured into the barrel, as well as in the larger container, you are pouring the powder from.

Never blow into your barrel at any time! Like you may have seen done in movies and TV shows. The reason for not blowing down the barrel between shots, by doing so could very will cause a flash of unburned powder that could burn you!!!


Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Localism blog post 799 - 26 July 2010 Charlestown, New Hampshire

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