Muzzleloaders: A Beginner's Crash Course 

When I taught Hunter Safety, here in Ga. I always enjoyed teaching the Primitive Weapons chapter. Unfortunitly, we never had an area to safely shoot the Black Powder rifles we used for demonstrations. Its fun to watch this video, to show students (young and old) what can actually happen, when muzzle loading!

I enjoy the chill pace muzzleloaders have. It's akin to fishing.

Ive got a traditions inline that runs 209 primers that has never had an issue. Even when hunting in the wet. I think you might have a breech plug issue. Run a primer with no load before you start shooting to clear out your fire hole.

Always fire a primer to dry out the breach before loading an inline. Learned the hard way

My inline muzzleloaders use shotgun primers. I NEVER get a miss-fire or hang-fire.

Always fire a primer after cleaning the gun, before reloading, and DO NOT leave any lube residue in the barrel! I only use bore butter after the season is over, the gun cleaned, & being stored. Unless you're using round, lead, patched balls, or pure lead bullets, you don't want any lube in your barrel! It will kill your accuracy if you do! I used to use bore butter and various other cleaners, and would always run a lube patch after cleaning, followed by a dry patch or 2. I could never get any kind accuracy out of my muzzleloader. It was so bad I could shoot my .357 mag revolver way more accurately off hand, than my scoped muzzleloader with a benchrest! I took the gun to a gun smith, and had a trigger job done. Then I bought a new scope. I checked the scope mount & rings numerous times along the way. Nothing helped! Finally I bought a new muzzleloader. Same story all over! So then I picked up a used muzzleloader at gun auction for cheap. It showed plenty of wear, so I figured if someone hung on to it, & used it as much as it appeared, surely it would be fairly accurate! Obviously 1st thing I did was clean it. Guess what! It shot just as horribly as the 2 guns I'd bought new! Finally I was so frustrated, I decided to give up on muzzleloaders & just carry a hand gun during muzzleloader season. One of my hunting buddies asks me why I'm not not carrying my muzzleloader and only my hand gun. When I told him all my accuracy woes he immediately asks me what my cleaning procedure was. When I told him, he said, "Right there is your problem! Go home tonight and wash that barrel with hot, soapy water until your patches come out spotlessly clean! Never use lube in the barrel while hunting! Only while it is in storage, then wash it before hunting!" Since I started doing that, the same guns that couldn't hit a pie plate consistently at 60 yds, will now shoot an inch & a quarter to a two inch group at 150 yds all day long. I use Powerbelt bullets & typically run a dry patch between each shot.

the rod will ring when the ball tight. do not crush pellets.

Those groups are similar to the groups I got with 777 and Great Plains bullets. Good groups at 50yds but really opened up at 100yds.

A flintlock is a deal muzzle loader.

Are you guys not allowed to use powerbelt bullets in Idaho? I've used them for years never have any problems loading 1st shot or 10th shot still loads easy

I was taught to fire a primer before loading the first powder load, so the spark path is clear. Some rifles need a small amount of FFF in the bottom to help the spark ignite the load. "I was taught" refers to training to be a 4H Shooting Sports Instructor.

I find with the inline muzzleloaders it's better to use the pellets instead of loose powder unless it's real black powder. The pellets fire fast with no problems. But so does the real black powder. That substitute crap doesn't work to good. Even the muzzleloader shop told me stay away from that stuff and just use the pellets instead of powder it will work better so I did. So far every year since I started muzzleloading I've filled all 7 deer tags here in pa. Most of the deer shot is with my muzzleloaders, flintlock except one or two with bow it depends. I gave up rim fire sold all of them just muzzleloaders and my bow now. I even make my own black powder now for my flintlock and make my own bullets. It's cheaper and I have plenty. Good video, I love your videos.

I’m certainly not an expert but I’ve been screwing up for about 25 years or so. Always fire a fowling cap to dry out the barrel. Mark the ram rod so you know it’s seated the same every time. And I’m my experience cva,traditions and Austin/ halleck 3 rounds max between cleaning. Also get a nipple pick they get clogged up quickly especially with loose powder. May also try playing with powder loads and put some lube on that thumb breech threads. That’s a lot of powder coming passed it.

I was given an old "CVA" muzzle loader, rifle kit, a few years ago! (The kit was from the 1980s maybe?) I need to break that thing out and put it together. If nothing else, it would look nice hanging over the fire place!

I had a bad feeling with those Muscat caps. I thought maybe the firing pin damaged at first. Always enjoy being out with the muzzleloder.

I have a CVA Wolf I shoot the 209 primer and don’t have that problem with it

I think it would be good to clarify for everyone that Idaho's muzzleloader season rules say no scopes, no 209 primers, no pelletized powder and no sabots. All of those modern conveniences make muzzleloaders a very accurate hunting tool.

385gr at 1450fps is nothing to sneeze at!

Try Federal 209 primers, I also shoot a CVA Wolf and I have never had a misfire in the field or at the range!

What works the best is that like said fire some caps to clear and dry the breach. Then put a charge of powder and paper wad then fire blank then you load it like normally. I shoot side hammers . Also on the side hammers you can put some powder under the nipple then put the nipple back on then put the cap on . And if you store it like during the hunting season. Cut a iner tube about 1" square or round and put it over the nipple and drop the hammer on it that way you will not have moisture get to the powder. It all works for me .

Question? Can i sell a muzzleloader without an ffl? Thanks!

Sorry sir, but this is a demonstration of how not to use a smoke pole. Wish that fella luck too.

Tyrell needs a cup of coffee

I have friends who do muzzle loaders, because that's all they can own.

my tc pro hunter fx can go like 10 shots with the winchester 777 209 primers and 2 of the hodgedon 777 magnum pellets still loads fine accurate out to 200 with barnes expander mz bullets love it id never buy anything else

Thanks!

I don't think i would have the patience & time for a muzzle loader. I know there are those powder stick thingies you can use with them, but I forgot what what they were called. It's suppose to make shooting a little less annoying & easier to clean I think.

after its loaded try running a paper clip down the nipple in to the powder

Great Stuff 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

Make life easier and use white hots 2 and a 209 primer. Clean between shots and you will see the difference.

Great testament as to how archaic and ridiculous legislation is on muzzleloader hunting. Its legal to harvest an animal as long as you are using an inefficient, potentially dangerous, finicky weapon. Not only are you posing a much higher risk for wounding an animal, or a delayed detonation with a weapon that tends to be wildly less accurate than modern rifles or straight lines, but your also prone to malfunction in a sport where the weather is unpredictable and often wet. I don’t understand why if your legal to harvest an animal, than you shouldn’t be allowed to do so in the most ethical, accurate, efficient and safest way possible. Its like the equivalent of saying for two weeks out of the year we are only going to measure time with a sand hour glass. it’s ridiculous and archaic. I’m not saying you shouldn’t be allowed to use one if you so choose, but just extend rifle season a bit and do away with the moronic restrictions.

Do you need to discharge the gun after each day of hunting if you don’t shoot at game?

Hey Ron great video, but I have been thinking about turning a single shot 410ga into a muzzleloader do think that is good idea with only 30grains with black powder, thanks

This video is a tad late. A lot of state’s muzzleloader seasons are over. Should have put this out in late August or early September.

Boy ron love what u guys do but u sure are newbies to blk powder. 209s are much more reliable and more water proof. Season here in masshole land is extra time but also we're bow, 2 weeks shot gun, then blk powder. Blk powder are way more accurate than shot guns. Modern pyrodex is more useful hunting in pre compacted for of 50g each. Modern guns rated as magnum handle 150g. Clean them after 3 or 4 shots. I can do 7 and still reload and have decent accuracy. Magic 1moa is not asking a lot from Modern blk powder, if u believe in 1moa deal.

I hate the pie plate mentality! No, it’s not good enough period!

I did Civil War re-enacting for several years. My caps came in a round tin can, Never once did I have a misfire. We always did a dry fire first, firing only the cap without any powder in the barrel.

That "Mark" on your Ram Rod is very important, so a shooter can immediatly see if their weapon is already loaded, or if they just double loaded it! (And screwed up, if they double loaded it!)

You can flip the cleaning patches and use them twice both wet and dry. Best to tap the bullet a few times till the rod bounces against the seated bullet for more consistent accuracy. Bore butter can age and get dried out. If I use lead with no sabot, I clean dried pre-lube off and put fresh bore butter on it. Iron sights get tough to use as you get older. I shot hammer Thompson Center for over a decade shooting 70 grains of black powder and 385 grain maxi-ball. Highly effective on deer and coyotes. I did not own a chronograph at that time, but guessing similar ballistic to original .45/70 which shot around 1300 fps. I started out using Powerdex but had lots of misfires. Went to black powder on the hammer gun and rarely ever had problems. Inlines have much hotter primer and pellets fire more dependably.

Its crazy to say but my muzzleloader is the most accurate gun i have. Out to 200 yards its a tack driver.

Well that was just sad

I was taught to drop the rod and check if it bounces off the bullet/ball. If it bounces it’s seated all the way. If it doesn’t then you have an air space and that’s not good.

Bring q tips and clean that musket cap nipple shaft every few shots. Fouling builds up heavily on that design and often causes a no fire due to the cap not being fully seated. I doubt the caps were bad, but filling them with powder can make things worse and it's blocking the flash hole. Muzzleloading is all about consistency. Consistent powder measuring, Consistent seating pressure on the bullet, Consistent cleaning. I agree on the windex, its a much better cleaner. A couple lightly dampened patches with windex, a couple dry, and it's ready to load. No need for that M pro cleaner. Buy a welders torch tip cleaner and run it down and out the breech plugs nipple/flash hole every shot to clean it. Shouldn't have too, but that cva musket cap breech plug deal can be finicky.

And no 2 rifles are the same. Oh yeah we can get at least 2 extra weeks after bow and gun season. We can even go as long as in January. And we can muzzleloader hunt through out gun season.

I have shot traditional side locks for years. Not sure what is going on with the inline primers...but hot water and soap cleaning works to get ride of all the gunk. I use CCI or RWS caps and RS or Triple 7 in a 50 and 58 caliber guns. Make sure your fire path is clean...fire a primer to dry it out. After cleaning use bore butter followed by a clean patch. I shoot a lot of Minnie balls....fire, then clean patch. Don't lube the grooves on the bullet...just the base. After 5 or 6 shots patch the bore when you start feeling resistance use a wet patch followed by a dry patch...then a bore butter patch followed by a clean patch. It will keep the fowling down and let you keep shooting. You can also use a pick and keep the fire channel clean. Hope this helps...you want lube, but not too much....and even just a dry patch every couple rounds will knock a lot of junk loose.

I have read on multiple forums that the Schuetzen musket caps use a different metal and don’t work the best in inline muzzleloaders. I read they work in side lock muzzleloaders but sometimes require adjusting the surface of the nipple. I have never tried them so cannot confirm. Just sharing what I have read elsewhere.

I think I'll stick with my centerfire rifles, even though I'm not keen on muzzleloaders I still enjoyed the video. Always like to see your video's, content not that critical due to your enthusiasm and presentation.

I think you needed someone more experienced in your video.

Musket caps are hotter than no 11's but I have found that 209 ignition with actual shotshell primers not the MZ 209 primers give 100% ignition all the the time. Especially with the syn black powders

Only seen that on my 1858 Remingtons. Which are percussion caps.

You needed someone more knowledge than he. Blackhorn209, fed 209a primers. Weigh the load by grains

Where can i get a musket cap Bolt for mine.

Consistancy is key in muzzleloading. Clean between shots is a must when sighting in at the range. Then run your hunt on a clean barrel. Skip adding powder to the musket cap never heard of such a thing. Good luck on your hunt...

Our flintlock season comes in the day after Christmas. Flintlock only the inline season was in October

Currently, primers are hard to find in stores.

Cleaning...you might try a couple of passes with a patch saturated with 10% Ballistol to water...forms a milky liquid...see if you like it. I use it for black powder and after corrosive primers in metallic cartridges. Then finish with your preferred routine.😊

Some of these new in-lines that recently came out are really impressive. Especially the CVA paramount HTR. There are quite a few jurisdictions that legalized .40 for deer hunting. A magnum charge of Blackhorn 209 in .40 cal you are getting centerfire rifle ballistics like 2700fps and 1700ft.lbs at 400 yards! Knight has the Peregrine they are claiming 3000fps with their .40 cal! The advantage with Blackhorn 209 is, it's not traditional black powder substitute it's nitrocellous based that's safe for modern muzzeloaders. The draw back to Blackhorn 209 is it won't ignite with traditional musket caps. It requires 209 shotgun primers. Blackhorn 209 is also easier to clean. I have a Knight Mountaineer .45 cal one of my pet loads is a Blackhorn load. I get around 2100 fps. Knights are well known in competition circles are often found in the winner circle.

The action on a break-action gun should be closed gently. Good video - thanks...

Cva wolf uses 209 shotgun primers not musket capa

In my experience, it is usually not the cap that is the problem. Usually, it is because there is grease or oil in the flash hole. Either need to dry swab it better when you load it or pick it. Also when you season the barrel after cleaning I've had the grease run to the bottom of the breach when I've used too much. I've seen where folks use too much solvent to clean their rifle. The dryer you can keep the rifle the better in my experience. Other's mileage may vary. The Just food for thought.

I want to see some bp revolver stuff

That is why I uses real black powder fffg I don't have any problems with it

Number 11 caps wont hardly set triple7 off there not quit hot enough

Never seen that, and never had a primer not work. Use 209 primers for better success.

That wasn't acceptable in my book.

Try and find cci musket caps

Not much of a talker…Tyrail that is.

All that work...

On a hunt, when do you load one and can it be safely carried over uneven terrain and/or obstacles line fence crossings. Can you safely unload one?

Loved it Ron!

I had an early 2000s T/C Omega 50cal with the thumbhole laminate stock and I never had issues with primers or breach plug issues, every time I pulled the trigger it went boom.

I've got a Cva wolf love it shoots about a 1.5 moa at 100 yards

I love your content. Ive been watching your channel for a few yrs now. Please keep the good work going

I personally have three blackpowder revolvers (all Colts: a Walker, an 1851, and an 1860). I always fire a cap on empty chambers to clear out the flash channels before loading. Being revolvers, I have to be wary of chain fires, so I always place special grease wads over the balls. And I always apply a coating of Bore Butter on the cylinder pin after cleaning.

He’s got a dirty breech that needs cleaned. What I do is pulling it out of storage to use it I take it out and shoot 3 primers off to make sure all the oil/ butter is burned out. Load the load and prime the gun after the shot take an oil patch and run it down then a dry patch down rinse and repeat till the third shot and then run a brush down it 2 or 3 times then oil patches and dry patches. When I’m done with it through cleaning of the barrel and breach. I put bore butter in it and run the dry patches to get the excess out then start reading the top of my statement again

I believe that because the individual kernels of the finer powders are so much smaller that they settle in closer together, so if you took each volumetric charge and actually weighed them out you are actually getting less powder in the larger kernels because there is more dead air space within the charge.

I’m so glad I can use my 35 Remington brake barrel in Mississippis primitive weapon season.

This is why you can get a used muzzle loader rifle around here for 50 dollars or less 😮

a musket cap breech block i mean. maybe i want one

Barrel needs recrowned.

Good video an other old time tip is to blow down barrel before loading next shot it makes sure no still burning and helps soften powder faulting

taping the bullet will deform the bullet, which will affect accuracy. not a good practice.

This was informative, Thank you.

Weigh your charges

Well Ron A few things about the muzzle loaders that you should try first off the triple 7 make pellets that are much more convenient and more precise per load and faster than loose powder and second musket caps are not as hot as 209 shotgun primers he wouldn't have had a misfire with 209 primers and the consistency is much better and easier to find tapping the barrel isn't really doing him any good either but that's neither here nor there those couple steps make muzzle loaders much more enjoyable

I agree somewhat late, also address smokeless MZ which is what shoot