How to Load and Fire a Muzzleloader

Last Updated: October 8, 2020 Approved

Firing a flintlock muzzleloader provides an experience to the true weapons connoisseur that no modern, precision-engineered, mass-produced firestick can match. Holding, loading, and shooting this pinnacle of early human engineering will reawaken the memory of such legendary heroes and villains as Blackbeard, Davy Crockett, Captain Kidd, and Daniel Boone. See Step 1 for more instructions.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Choosing Shot and Powder

1
Distinguish between a flintlock rifle, a caplock, and an and in-line percussion muzzleloader. There are three basic types of muzzleloaders, and you need to make sure that you select ammunition, powder, and a method of loading appropriate to each.
- The traditional muzzleloader is the flintlock rifle. These feature a more complex but authentic firing mechanism, and a longer "twist rate," which refers to the length of time it takes for the bullet to make a rotation in the barrel. The twist rate affects the accuracy of the rifle. Traditional muzzleloaders with a longer twist rate are generally more accurate when using what are called "buffalo" bullets, which feature the traditional lead ball and a more modern "bullet shaped" lead. Flintlock rifles require a complex loading operation, fixing a piece of flint to the hammer to strike sparks onto the flashpan, an operation covered below.
- Caplock rifles have a side-mounted firing pin similar to the flintlock rifle, and operates and loads in much the same way, but uses a more modern pre-loaded firing cap to fire the rifle. Unless you're a very experienced firearms enthusiast, it's recommended to use this method and become familiar with the mechanics of muzzle loading before you attempt to fire a flintlock.^{[1]
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- In-line percussion muzzleloaders are more modern-looking rifles that blur the line between old-school black powder rifles and contemporary smokeless models.^{[2]
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  Research source} They feature a shorter twist rate and are generally more accurate and easier to load than traditional muzzleloaders, and employ a firing cap in the pin.
2
Choose an appropriate powder for your rifle. Traditional black powder can be used in any variety of muzzleloader, though more modern pellet forms are also available. These are pre-measured into compact pellets that can be dropped into the barrel to load.
- Traditional powder has a tendency to rust barrels if not cleaned regularly and efficiently. Black powder absorbs moisture, making it sometimes volatile. When you're just getting started, consider using powder pellets as you get used to your rifle and the way it fires.
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3
Select an ammunition appropriate for your rifle. In the beginning, it can be somewhat difficult to figure out what ammo might be the most efficient and accurate for your gun. By becoming somewhat familiar with the way your rifle fires, though, and trying out the different types of muzzleloader shot, you can settle on something that works.
- Traditional "round ball" ammo is made of pure lead and designed to work with cloth patches. If you want to fire in the old-school way that the pioneers did, this is your ammo. If you're hunting, you might want to select something a little more accurate.
- Conical shot is a more "bullet shaped" muzzleloader shot. It tends to be a bit lighter, more accurate, and come in different sizes, depending on the bore of your rifle.
- "Sabot" refers to a small plastic shoe or sleeve used to nestle a rifled bullet in. Using a sabot is a way to increase the accuracy of your rifle and to use somewhat smaller, lighter bullets in a larger-bore rifle barrel. If you're planning on hunting with a muzzleloader, using a sabot with an appropriate-sized ammunition is recommended.^{[3]
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4
Get some patches, wadding, and lubricant. Most ammunition sold with wadding patches of the appropriate size, used to seat the shot against the powder charge. Wadding is usually a chunk of cloth or paper placed behind the projectile to seal the bore, or placed in front of it to prevent the ball(s) from simply rolling out the end of the barrel when the gun is pointed downwards.
- One of the best materials for this is known as "Pillow Ticking" and can be easily found at a fabric store. If you can't get it, just use paper towels.
- Lubricant is used to reduce friction and make the gun function better. In rifled guns, the barrel is lubricated as well as the patch (wad) after each shot to make the projectile easier to load down the rifled barrel.
5
Get caps or flint. Depending on the type of rifle you have, you'll also need firing caps to discharge your rifle, or you'll need flint for use in a flintlock rifle, to strike and spark and set off the powder in the flashpan.
- The most common cap is called the #11 cap, which has been in use for more than a hundred years.
- Musket caps are somewhat more powerful and are popular with hunters for that reason.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Loading a Cap-lock or Inline Muzzleloader

1
Check the barrel. Verify that the gun is not loaded by putting the ramrod down the barrel and measuring the distance that it can reach. It must reach all the way to the location of the touch hole in the pan. Use your cleaning rod to clean the barrel of any black powder residue, dirt or dust that may have accumulated.
- While loading the gun, keep it aimed straight up in the air and avoid putting your face over the barrel at any time, even while you're loading it.
2
Lubricate the barrel. Most muzzleloaders will come with a swab (a piece of cloth used to lubricate the rifle) fitted to the slot in the cleaning rod. Apply gun lubricant to the inside of the barrel. Do not apply too much, as it can get in the touch hole and prevent ignition. A thin layer is sufficient, no more than the amount of sunscreen you'd put on your face
3
Measure your powder. Pour black powder from your horn or flask into the powder measurer to the appropriate mark, then pour the powder from the measurer into the muzzle.
- Tap the side of the rifle a few times with the flat of your hand to settle the powder.
4
Load your bullet. Using the smaller end of the bullet-starter, push the bullet into the barrel. Be gentle. When you get to the end of the starter, pull it out and use the longer end to push it farther down.^{[4]
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- Use the ramrod to seat the bullet securely on the powder charge. Use a short but firm motions to seat it, don't jam it in a stabbing motion like you see in old Civil War movies. There's a mark on the ramrod that will let you know when the bullet has been seated. When that mark lines up with the end of the barrel, the bullet should be seated properly.
- It's important to make sure the bullet is seated firmly on the charge, leaving no gaps between the powder and the bullet.
5
Load your percussion cap. With the gun pointed in a safe direction, use your priming tool to seat the cap on the nipple. Make sure the safety is on, if your rifle has one, or that you're at half-cock, if you're using a side-lock rifle.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Loading a Flintlock Rifle

1
Fix the flint into the hammer. Pull the hammer back to the half-cock position. If there is no flint already in the gun, use a screwdriver or metal bar to loosen the screw which holds the top jaw of the cock in place. Use a rectangular scrap of leather the right size to enclose the flint, and fold it around the back of the flint. Place the flint with the leather in the jaws of the cock so that the sharp end protrudes towards the flash pan and tighten the screw securely.
2
Pull the hammer to full-cock. Close the frizzen (the part that covers the pan) and test fire it by pulling the trigger. Ensure the lock produces a shower of sparks that hit the inside of the flashpan.
- If it doesn't, remove the flint and reattach it. Make sure everything is secure and striking appropriately. Take your time.
3
Measure out your powder. Loosen the screw on the side of the brass powder measurement. Draw the sliding end of the measurement back to the line that marks the amount of powder required for your specific gun and tighten the screw.
- Consult your firearms dealer to determine the correct amount of powder to use for your gun.
4
Pour your powder into the barrel. Lift the muzzle of the gun so that the barrel is perpendicular to the ground. Level off the top of the powder measurement and pour the powder into the barrel. Tap the side of the barrel with the heel of your hand a few times to ensure the powder all falls tho the bottom.
5
Load the gun. Place a lubricated patch over the end of the barrel. This patch should be larger than the ball and should be able to wrap around it. Press the patched ball into the barrel using the short end of the bullet starter.
- Continue to slide the ball or bullet down the barrel with the long side of the bullet starter. Use the blunt end of the ram rod to slide the ball down the rest of the barrel until it is seated firmly atop the powder. Use one steady motion to seat the bullet, don't jab into the gun like you see in the movies.
6
Fill the flashpan. Once the ball has been seated, remove the ramrod and lay the gun across your lap. Fill the small brass flash pan powder dispenser with the FFFF powder used in flintlock rifles for this purpose. This can be done by unscrewing the back of the dispenser and pouring powder in until it is about 3/4 full.
- Pull the hammer back again to half-cock. If the frizzen (pan cover/striking surface) is not already open, open it, and press the pointed end of the powder dispenser against the bottom of the shallow flash pan to release the powder.
- Fill the pan with powder making sure to tilt the gun slightly so that the powder enters the touch hole located at the side of the barrel within the flash pan. Once the pan is full, close the cover tightly. Your gun is loaded and ready to fire.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Firing a Muzzleloader

1
Secure the butt of the gun firmly against your shoulder. Pull the hammer to full-cock, and aim the muzzle at your target. Be sure that no one is standing directly beside you in front of the touch hole. Sparks will fly and you want to make sure everyone is clear of the expulsion.
- Always wear the appropriate ear and eye protection when firing a muzzleloader. It's loud. Practice good gun safety.
2
Aim the rifle. Look down the length of the barrel through the open sights. When all three sights are in line both vertically and horizontally upon the target you wish to hit, take a deep breath and hold it.
- Some muzzleloaders don't have much in the way of sights. You can consider updating your old-school weapon by fitting it with more modern sights. This is especially recommended if you plan on hunting with your muzzleloader.
3
Remove the safety and squeeze the trigger. Keep the rifle securely in your shoulder and follow through, holding your position and waiting until the smoke clears (there will be a lot) before dropping your posture and looking at your target.
- In a flintlock rifle, the flint will slam down, scraping down the inside of the frizzen and flipping open the flashpan, creating sparks which fall into the powder in the now open flashpan. This powder ignites, making a flash of flame which travels into the touch hole and ignites the main charge.

Community Q&A

Question

Will a muzzleloader still fire without a bullet?

Community Answer

Yes, it will if you put a ton of powder in it. Make sure it's packed tightly.
Question

Would there be a side-mounted firing pin on a cap lock rifle? There is no firing pin in any traditional muzzle loader, whether it be percussion (cap) or flint.

Community Answer

Firing pins are found in 'needle' rifles. Some models of needle rifle were manufactured as muzzle loading. While it is atypical, it is possible.

Warnings

Store powder in a metal container or a powder horn, but NEVER in large quantities. If you have to store large quantities, build a powder magazine some distance from your house to keep it in.

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Check with local law to make sure flintlocks are legal in your area. Some districts allow muskets and rifles but prohibit pistols.

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Treat flintlocks with all the respect that any firearm deserves. Although they may seem like toys to some because they're outdated, they are more than capable of blowing your or a friend's head off. Some flintlocks are actually more powerful than many modern guns.Never fire with someone down range from you.

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Things You'll Need

Flintlock muzzleloader of any caliber, smooth bored or rifled on the inside of the barrel. It would be ill-advised to attempt to shoot any ancient relics dredged up from a 16th century galleon or anything else equivalently antiquated, as the barrel may burst spectacularly when fired and severely maim or kill you, ending your illustrious career of oxygen piracy for good. Make sure that any old guns have been certified by a professional gunsmith as being safe to fire.
Flints made specifically for firelocks. Different sizes are available, generally the "English Flint" is a good type to use.
Small scraps of leather, to be used to clamp the flint securely in the jaws of the cock (hammer part)
Ramrod that hopefully came with said muzzleloader. If a ramrod is not included, as sometimes the case may be, measure the diameter of the bore (inside of the barrel) and buy a dowel or rod slightly smaller than the bore, but slightly longer than the barrel length. Treat this with some kind of wood sealer such as linseed oil so it will not absorb water and swell. Now you have a ramrod.
Lead balls of the same caliber (the barrel's internal diameter) as the weapon, able to roll from one end of the barrel to the other without getting stuck. You can also fire a swarm of smaller lead balls (shot) from a muzzleloader, making it an effective scattergun.
Black Powder. FFFF grade black powder is needed in order to prime the muzzleloader. There are also three other grades of black powder that can be used to load the firearm: F, FF, and FFF. Generally F is a very coarse powder used for the largest of calibers, while FF is usually the recommended choice for 50 caliber muzzleloaders. Smaller muzzleloaders such as pistols may use FFF powder.
Powder horn. This is optional, but recommended if you are hunting. Keeps the powder dry and readily available.
Powder measure that measures in grains (g). This is absolutely necessary as even experienced shooters have blown up their guns due to loading too much powder by accident.
Priming dispenser. This is not required, but certainly makes it easier to prime the pan with FFFFg powder. Usually a small cylinder made of brass.
Ball starter. This is generally only required for rifles as the patched ball is much harder to ram down the rifled barrel than an unpatched ball in a smoothbore. Usually a wooden ball with two protuberances, one long, one short.
An owner's manual to the muzzleloader. These will generally have safety guidelines, as well as recommended maximum loads for the muzzleloader. Make sure you stay within these guidelines. If you do not have an owner's manual for that particular muzzleloader, it is recommended that you obtain one.