Black Powder Safety | BP and Muzzle Loading | Range Safety | Q&A's
Firearms safety Information
Black Powder Safety | BP and Muzzle Loading | Range
Safety | Q&A's
Firearms safety Information
This section is intended to provide basic information that you should be aware of and practice. The information presented is intended to get firearms owners to think and act safely. You, the owner or handler, are responsible for your actions.
BLACK POWDER SAFETY
Black powder and muzzle loading firearms require
attention to safety issues that may differ from those applicable to modern
smokeless powder arms. If new to this discipline you should obtain
appropriate instruction from those experienced with black powder and muzzle
loading arms. Click on the above link to see additional safety information.
Shooting black powder arms or "Muzzle Loaders" is exciting, fun and
can be enjoyed by the whole family. It is an inexpensive and rewarding
recreation, with a few basic components one can make smoke with the best of
them. We have some of the best shooters in the region and they are eager to
share their knowledge and enthusiasm with you.
Click here to request additional
information
WARNING: Black powder is classed as an explosive and can be ignited by static discharge. Black powder should be stored in its original container. Plastic and other static prone container should not be used. Always ground yourself to dissipate any static charge before handling gun powders, especially black powder.
If you are new to muzzle loaders and black powder, get instruction from someone experienced before setting out on your own.
There are many safety practices that are unique to shooting muzzle loading arms. A basic rule at ranges is no handling of firearms behind the firing line. You may find muzzle loaders being handled for loading behind the firing line. This practice is based on the need to remove the handling of black powder from the flame and sparks generated on the firing line. These arms are however not primed (powder or percussion cap) until on the firearm line and at all times muzzle control is practiced.
Definitions:
"Powder" includes black powder and all substitutes.
"Closed" means tight fitting, spark-tight.
"Powder measure" is a small device holding about one shot worth of
powder and not an attached part of a powder container. Usually not closed.
"Powder container" usually holds more than one shot worth of powder.
"Prime" means to charge the pan or install a cap.
"Pre-measures" are small, closed containers holding a measure of
powder, and sometimes other components, for one shot.
General
No smoking on or near the line. Smoke only in designated areas.
A loaded arm must be pointed down range and closely attended at all times. Once
primed, it must be held by the shooter until discharged.
When moving around with an unloaded arm, arm must be carried muzzle up.
Do not carry black powder, or its substitutes, up to the office or patio. When
leaving the line, put powder in your range box or bag or in the storage houses
provided.
Powder
Powder must always be in a closed container except when filling the powder
measure or, for pre-measures, charging the arm.
Powder should be kept in the original factory containers until put in horn,
flask, powder measure, charger or cartridge. No breakable containers such as
glass.
No more than one, one pound, container of powder per shooter allowed on
the firing line. All other powder containers must be in a closed range box or
bag kept behind the firing line.
Filling of horns, flasks, multiple pre-measure devices, etc., must not be done
on the firing line. Move well back from the line.
Caps
Percussion caps must always be in a closed container except when priming the
arm. No loose caps allowed; keep them covered.
Caps should be kept in the original factory containers until put in a capping
device. No breakable containers such as glass.
No more than one tin of caps per shooter allowed on the firing line. All other
cap containers must be in a closed range box or bag kept behind the firing
line.
Paper cartridges
Paper cartridges must be kept in closed containers until one is removed for
use.
Taking a break
Powder or cap containers are not permitted off ranges or in smoking areas
unless kept in a securely closed range box or bag.
Loading
Never load from a horn or flask. A powder measure must always be used to
charge the arm. Pre-measured, individual chargers/cartridges meet this
requirement.
Ramrods should be clearly marked for "empty" and "loaded".
Never load while distracted; think about what you are doing.
Keep body parts well away from the muzzle while loading.
Be aware of your surroundings. Never expose powder if the adjacent shooter is
ready to fire.
Clean firing bench of all spilled powder before continuing. Powder spilled on
the ground must be well scattered before continuing.
Firing
Never prime until on the line, pointed downrange and ready to fire.
Cap & ball cylinders must be capped while in the firearm, at the firing
line, pointed downrange. Do not carry capped cylinders around!
Flintlock shooters must notify shooters on the touchhole side well before
firing. Calling out 'flint' a few seconds before firing is encouraged. Give the
other person a chance!
Be aware of your surroundings. Never fire if adjacent shooters have powder
exposed or are otherwise unprepared. Again. calling out "flint" a few
seconds before firing is encouraged.
Flints must never be knapped in the cock when the arm is charged.
Do not try to beat the "one minute" warning. Don't start loading after
the "one minute" has been called.
Problems
If loaded when a cease-fire is called, raise your hand and wait for the
attention of the Range Safety Officer or Range Master. Do not fire without
specific permission from the staff after the cease-fire is called! Keep the arm
pointed down-range and follow the instructions of the range personnel.
Keep misfires pointed down range until the arm is made safe.
Loads that must be pulled must be brought to the attention of the range staff
and handled according to their instructions. If possible, loads that must be
pulled will be taken off-line for that purpose. Keep misfires pointed in a safe
direction!
CO2 dischargers may be used to remove loads on the public firing line.
Why do people load their firearm behind the line when
others are firing?
To avoid exposure to sparks that could ignite the
powder your handling while loading.
Why do they use those brass measuring tubes rather
than loading from a classic powder horn?
There are two reasons for the tubes. One is
to get the correct amount of powder and the other is to minimize the amount of
powder you have exposed during loading. Should a charge of powder be
ignited during loading you want only a limited amount to go off. Brass is
typically used as it is less likely to cause a spark than other materials.
If you see classic powder horns being used, look closely. You will find an
automatic cutoff that isolates the main bulk powder while the measured charge is
being added to the barrel.
Why do I see people blowing down the barrel of a
muzzle loading rifle?
This is to extinguish any remaining sparks so you
don't get ignition of the new charge when you pour it down the barrel.
Keep your face away from the muzzle just in case.
When is a muzzle loader considered loaded?
When there is anything in the barrel. How do
I tell? Use the ram rod to measure the distance from the back of the breach to
the end of the barrel. Mark the rod, then insert it into the barrel. If
the mark isn't at the end of the barrel then there is something in the barrel
and it should be considered loaded.
How do you unload a muzzle loader?
You shoot it. If you can't shoot it you have
to pull the ball. The older way was to use a brass reverse cork screw to
dig into the ball and then pull it. A safer approach is to use the CO2 powdered
gadgets that blow the charge out from the flash hole.
Why is it important to assure the projectile is full
seated onto the powder charge?
Black powder arms can essentially push out of the
barrel a reasonable number of charges as long as everything is tightly
packed. Any space or gap between the powder charge and the projectile can
result in a barrel rupture. AKA it blew up.
Legal disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to tell someone what to do but is intended to provide the reader with things to think about when making decisions. All liability for actions taken as a result of reading this information is the sole responsibility of the reader.