1.
NEVER smoke
while using your muzzleloader or while near any quantity of
black powder or different styles of PYRODEX.®
2.
BEFORE LOADING, MAKE SURE THE FIREARM IS NOT ALREADY LOADED.
To
make sure it is unloaded,
insert the ramrod provided with the rifle into the bore to
the breech plug and note its position at the muzzle.
It should be approximately 1/4 inch below flush with the end
of the barrel if the rifle is not loaded.
3.
NOTE: Nothing can be attached to the ramrod while using it
in this way. USE ONLY THE RAMROD PROVIDED.
4.
ALWAYS CHECK AND CLEAR THE FLASH HOLE THROUGH THE NIPPLE
BEFORE SHOOTING. ALWAYS CHECK THE BARREL FOR OBSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE LOADING AND SHOOTING. Before
checking for an obstruction, put the safety mechanism in the
‘S’ position and open the bolt assembly and
remove the percussion cap and residue from the nipple.
Water, snow, mud or any other material can obstruct the
barrel and cause barrel damage.
5. USE
BLACK POWDER OR PYRODEX® ONLY TO LOAD YOUR MUZZLELOADING
FIREARM. Never
use even small amounts of smokeless powder, even if it is
black in color. The use of any other propellant may cause
injury or death to the shooter or bystanders and damage the
firearm.
6.
NEVER EXCEED THE MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED POWDER CHARGE CONTAINED
IN THIS BOOK. To
do so could result in injury or death to the shooter or
bystanders.
7.
NEVER POUR POWDER DIRECTLY FROM A POWDER FLASK OR CONTAINER.
A
sudden powder ignition from a lingering spark could cause
the entire flask to explode. Use an individual charge from a
powder measure when loading your rifle. Read and follow
your powder manufacturer’s procedures for powder storage.
8.
NEVER USE THE WRONG AMMUNITION COMPONENTS. Only
use ammunition components that exactly match the caliber
markings on your firearm and are meant to be used together.
Use only pure lead or Remington® brand loading components
when shooting lubed conical bullets. Do not use any other
lead alloys with lubed conical bullets as they may be too
hard for proper and safe use in your muzzleloader.
9.
WHEN LOADING, BE CERTAIN POWDER, PATCHES AND PROJECTILES ARE
IN THEIR PROPER SEQUENCE AND THAT THEY ARE COMPLETELY SEATED
AGAINST ONE ANOTHER. Serious
personal injury or death can result if space is left between
them. To provide a reference mark for future loadings, mark
the ramrod at the muzzle once a projectile has been loaded
to the proper depth. NOTE: Be sure to recheck the
ramrod mark if you change loading components or alter the
ramrod. See Picture 13 on page 15. Never attempt to shoot
out a projectile that is not firmly seated against the
powder charge or does not seat to the proper depth. Remove
these projectiles following the instructions on pages 18 and
19.
10.
ALWAYS USE COTTON PATCHING. The
use of non-cotton patching could build up a static electric
charge possibly creating a spark that could ignite the
powder.
11.
NEVER POUND THE RAMROD. Black
powder and PYRODEX are impact sensitive and could ignite
from impact. Keep the ramrod directly away from your face or
body.
12.
KNOW THE RANGE OF YOUR FIREARM. Muzzleloading
projectiles have a range of more than one-half mile.
13. IF
THE FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE, BE PREPARED FOR A HANG FIRE. Keep
the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and wait no less than
one full minute before opening the bolt. A spark may
have reached the powder without any sound. The rifle
could fire at any moment during this minute. If the
rifle does not fire within a minute, carefully follow the
directions on how to handle a misfire on pages 15 and 16.
14.
RENDER YOUR FIREARM INOPERABLE WHENEVER YOU ARE NOT
SHOOTING. Never
place the percussion cap on the nipple until just before
firing and remove it immediately if you do not fire. Never
carry or store a loaded firearm in a building or a vehicle.
Unload it by firing it into a suitable backstop before
returning to your vehicle, entering a building, crossing or
climbing up or down any obstacle that may prevent you from
keeping full control over the firearm, such as a fallen
tree, fence, treestand or slippery area. Failure to follow
this rule may cause serious injury or death to the shooter
or bystanders.
15.
BLACK POWDER LEAVES HEAVY CORROSIVE RESIDUES. A
thorough cleaning and lubing are absolute necessities before
storage and prior to loading and shooting. Follow the
cleaning instructions starting on page 19. Always carry
loading and cleaning equipment with you in the field.
16.
NEVER USE THE WEATHER SHROUD FOR REPEATED SHOOTING. It
is intended for single shot usage. Always disassemble and
clean the bolt assembly after shooting with the weather
shroud. See page 22 for bolt assembly cleaning instructions.
17.
WARNING: Discharging
firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms or
handling ammunition components may result in exposure to
lead, a substance known to cause birth defects, reproductive
harm, cancer and other serious physical injury. Have
adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly
after exposure.