Proposed Range Safety Briefing addendum for Muzzleloaders/Black Powder Shooters

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wkuhn
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Proposed Range Safety Briefing addendum for Muzzleloaders/Black Powder Shooters

Based on the NRA-NMLRA Basic Muzzleloading Shooting Course, I wrote up a recommended addendum to the QSC Range Safety Brief to be given to those using a muzzleloader/black powder firearm. 

This is a draft and is NOT a QSC Board approved document.  Request your comments, need for clarification, edits, etc. so it may be finalized and submitted for approval to the QSC Board. 

Addendum begins:

  1. Handling Black Powder
    1. Black Powder must be transferred from the original container to a powder flask, then sealed and finally return the original container to your storage box.
    2. Must transfer the black powder from the powder flask to a powder measure or pre-charged powder containers containing a single charge, or equivalent pre-formed pellets to load the main powder charge into the barrel. Pouring directly from a powder flask into the muzzle is prohibited. 
    3. All containers for storing powder must be sealed when not in use.
  2. Muzzle loading shooters must ensure that the firearm is unloaded before loading a charge by utilizing an appropriately marked ramrod. 
  3. Users will ensure the barrel is pointing away from their head when loading.  DO NOT bring the barrel to your head by trying to blow down it or have a look down the barrel. 
  4. Each time before loading a charge run a patch down the barrel to make sure there are no embers. 
  5. When placing a charge down the barrel, DO NOT palm the top of the ramrod to tamp the charge. 
  6. Flintlock shooters must advise other shooters near them when preparing to fire.
  7. In the event of a misfire, keep the muzzle pointed down range for at least 2 minutes in case there is a hang (i.e., delayed) fire. If the firearm does not discharge notify a RSO who will observe procedure to remove the round and powder load from the firearm.
  8. When nearing the time for a planned “CEASE FIRE” a RSO will announce “15 minutes to CEASE FIRE”.  IF you are loading a charge, complete the process and discharge the firearm before CEASE FIRE is called.  If you haven’t begun to load a charge, don’t; the intent is to have an empty barrel when the command “CEASE FIRE, Make your Firearm Safe, and step away.”
  9.  Place a marked ramrod completely into the barrel to indicate no charge is in the barrel.  Ensure the nipple is cleared (or no powder in the pan for a flintlock) and the trigger is ‘halfcocked”
  10. When a non-scheduled CEASE FIRE is called and the muzzle loader/flint lock has a projectile and/or propellant in the breech, the shooter will not fire and announce, “NOT READY” and make the firearm safe as stated above.  The marked ramrod will show a charge is in the barrel. 

Addendum ends.