Manual

IMPORTANT: Be sure ball or bullet is seated firmly against powder. No air space should exist
between ball and powder.
HELPFUL HINT: A good method to determine proper load depth is to insert ramrod when firearm
is fully loaded and mark ramrod at the point where it protrudes from the muzzle. This mark should
serve as a reference point each time you load. If the mark is above muzzle, you know ball is not
against powder and charge must be removed.
14. WITH GUN POINTED IN SAFE DIRECTION and hammer at half-cock, place a per-
cussion cap on nipple. THE GUN IS NOW LOADED.
15. Pull hammer back to full-cock position and YOU ARE READY TO FIRE.
16. Take aim at the target and pull trigger to fire.
17. After firing, wait one minute to reload. This allows all remaining sparks in barrel to burn out
prior to reloading.
18. If a misfire or failure to fire occurs, wait at least one minute with gun pointed at the target.
a. Using the ramrod, reseat the ball or bullet on the powder.
b. Remove the nipple, place a small charge of fresh powder in bolster through nipple hole.
Replace the nipple.
c. Install a new percussion cap on the nipple. Be certain of the target and fire.
d. Never attempt to shoot out a projectile which is not firmly seated against powder charge.
The ball and powder charge should be removed using a ball puller. (See instructions in
Section O on Pulling A Charge).
e. Go back to Step 1 and repeat, being sure bore and nipple are free of obstructions and
clean.
NOTE: DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE, ALTER OR CHANGE POSITION OF THE PERCUSSION
BOLSTER OR BREECH MECHANISM. TO DO SO IS DANGEROUS AND WILL VOID THE
WARRANTY.
13
CAUTION: Wait at least one minute with gun pointed at target if misfire or failure to fire
occurs.
"Drive" patched ball down into barrel.
Figure 12-3
"Ram" patched ball firmly on powder.
Figure 12-4
DANGER: Firing a muzzleloader or "short starting" with the ball or bullet off the powder or part
way up the barrel may cause serious damage to the firearm and possible injury to the shooter.