How to Load a Muzzleloader

We wanted to bring this illustration out from the Muzzle Blasts Magazine archives. Commissioned in 2015, we’d like to thank Larry Small for illustrating this great diagram.

How to load a Muzzleloader

1. Make sure the bore is dry by using a ramrod with a cleaning jig and a clean, dry patch.

2. With the hammer down for safety, clean the frozen, pan, and flint (watch out for the sharp edges of the flint). Be sure the flash hole is clear of obstruction by inserting a vent pick, paper clip, or pipe cleaner. Load a flintlock with the frizzen and hammer all the way forward.

   1. For a percussion firearm, inspec the nipple for obstruction by using a nipple pick or paper clip. With an unloaded firearm, snap a cap or two. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.

3. Pour the powder from a powder horn or flash into a measure. For safety, never pour powder directly into the bore from a horn or flask.

4. Pour the measured powder charge down the bore. Avoid placing your hands or face directly over the muzzle.

5. Center a lubricated or moistened patch over the bore and place the lead ball onto the patch.

6. With the short end of a short starter, set the patched ball into the bore. Use the Pam of your hand to press the ball into the muzzle.

7. Push the ball deeper with the long end of the short starter by using the palm of your hand.

8. Firmly seat the load against the powder charge by using short strokes with your ramrod. NEVER fire a muzzleloader if the ball is not firmly seated on the powder charge.

9. Use a pencil to make a reference mark on your ramrod when the lead ball is correctly loaded.

10. Remove the ramrod and store it under the barrel.

11. For a flintlock, fill the pan 1/4 to 1/3 full of priming powder, place the hammer into the half- cock position, and close the frizzen. When ready to shoot, bring the hammer into full cock position.

    1. For a percussion muzzleloader, bring the hammer into the half-cock position and place a cap firmly onto the nipple. When ready to shoot, place the hammer at full cock.

12. Be certain of your target and what lies beyond. Aim and fire.

13. Run a damp cleaning patch down the bore and begin the process again, no need to repeat step #9

Muzzle Blasts is Growing - Exciting new announcments from the NMLRA

Muzzleloading and Living History aren’t dying, they are evolving.

We’ve been publishing “Muzzle Blasts” magazine in one form or another since 1930. Muzzle Blasts is the Original MuzzleLoading, Traditional craft, and Living History Magazine. Delivered to your door or email every month, each issue is packed with content about muzzleloader shooting sports, living history, traditional craft, tutorials, stories, and accouterments.

To expand on the quality Muzzle Blasts delivers each month, the NMLRA has launched a new media initiative to bring you more of what you love.

We’re going to take you inside events and classes like you’ve never seen, and we are able to do all of this thanks to the members of the NMLRA.

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New Platforms

We are excited to share the launch of the "Muzzle Blasts" Podcast, a new radio-like show from the NMLRA where we meet with all sorts of known and unknown people in the world of Living History.

In our first episode, we were excited to sit down with a representative from Goex Powders and Deer Creek Products to discuss the evolving world of Muzzleloading.

With aging members, many in the muzzleloading and living history communities are worried about the future of the sport. We sit down with Anita Vincenti from Goex Powder and Jim Christie of Deer Creek Products to discuss the future of muzzleloading and why it's not dying, it's evolving.

We Love Muzzle blasts

We know you love Muzzleblasts Magazine, and we want to bring you more of what you love each week.

Our dedicated Media Team will be covering not NMLRA events and classes, but muzzleloading and living history events across the country to show you that Living History is not dying, it’s evolving.

Muzzle Blasts on Social Media

We’re bringing daily updates from the world of the NMLRA to you through social media. We love hanging out around the campfire with our friends during an event, but now we can hangout everyday! With the NMLRA’s new media efforts we are bringing you the quality of Muzzleblasts right to your phone, tablet, or computer each day.

Follow the NMLRA on Facebook

Follow Muzzleblasts on Instagram

Follow the Longhunter Society on Instagram

The NMLRA on Pinterest

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New Years Day with with the “Black Powder Maniac Shooter”

We’re excited to be working with Mark Humphries of the “Black Powder Maniac Shooter” youtube channel to host another year of his New Year’s day Woodswalk shoot!

We encourage marksmen of all ages to attend this year and join us for a day of blackpowder fun out in the cold.

Starting in 2020, non-members can attend events on the grounds by signing an insurance waiver and pay a $1 fee. All Non-members who attend will receive a Free three month digital subscription to Muzzle Blasts.

We will be opening up the Clubhouse or the Education building to attendees of this event for lunch and to get onto of the cold depending on the weather.

Mark Humphries has agreed to bring a big pot of Chili, we encourage anyone attending the event to bring a dish or dessert to the pot-luck style lunch.

If you come to the New Years Day shoot, bring your buddy, neighbor, relative, or whomever and they can join the fun and frivolity, feel the recoil and smell the smoke.

NEW June 6-7, 2020 .22 Silhouette Match

The NMLRA is excited to be hosting a .22 silhouette match on June 6-7 in conjunction with our Center Fire Shoot the same weekend.

The .22 shoot is being organized by Jim Davis

Match fee will be $25 per day. We will have target setters for both days. We will start signing up at 9:00am and start the match at 10:00am. We will still have two classes, modern and traditional. Saturdays match will be the regular silhouette match but Sunday will be an all prone match using the same animals. We will shoot chickens at 100 yards, pigs at 150 yards, turkeys at 200 yards, and rams at 300 meters.  

Dan Thomas is having a centerfire shoot Saturday so bring your gear if you would like to shoot after our Saturday match, fee to shoot centerfire is $10.  This is a special introductory price.  Membership to the NMLRA is required.  You can purchase a membership for $35 which will include your $10 registration. 

Silhouettes will be set out to 500 yards for you to play with. The Gongs are fun at 500, but you’ll quickly become addicted to the soda can silhouettes!

You can also practice and get sight setting for Sunday's silhouette match. Food trailer will be there both days. Any questions call me 812-371-5262. Centerfire questions call Dan Thomas 812-667-6192 or the NMLRA main office at 812-667-5131.