black powder rifle

8/2/2019 Black Powder Rifle

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Introduction to

Black Powder Rifle

Bill Doyle

NRA / BSA Instructor


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Types of Actions

Matchlock Wheellock

Flintlock Percussion (Caplock)


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Flintlock Action Identification


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Percussion Action Identification


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Triggers


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Loading Process (1)

Position rifle for load

Rifle held between knees, angled forward

Check bore for load

Use the ramrod to demonstrate a clear barrel

Wipe and clean barrel

Removes excess oil which will foul barrel

Measure the powder charge

Use a powder measure and horn


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Loading Process (2)

Charge the barrel with powder

May use a funnel or

Prepare the patch

Use pre-lubricated patches

Use spit patch (use immediately)

Patch the ball

Center the patch and ball


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Loading Process (3)

Start the ball

Use a short starter

Trim the patch (only necessary if not pre-cut)

Use a patch knife

Short start the ball

Use a short starter or choke up on the ramrod


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Loading Process (4)

Seat the ball

Choke up on the ramrod to keep from bending

Make sure the ball is FULLY seated (danger)

Make Ready

Prime the pan (flintlock)

Cap the nipple (percussion)


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Loading Safety

Percussion:

Half Cocked

NO CAP

Flintlock:

Hammer Down

Frizzen Open

NO Priming Powder

Muzzle Control!!!


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Failure to fire (Percussion)

KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION

FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE

Bad Cap

Fouled nipple / powder channel

Not loaded

No Powder


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Failure to fire (Flintlock)

KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION

FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE

Not primed

Flint missing or damaged - not striking frizzen

Not loaded

No Powder

Clogged flash hole


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Correcting Failure to Fire

Percussion:

Re-cap

Pull/Clean Nipple

Extract Ball

Flintlock:

Re-prime

Replace / knap flint

Extract Ball


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Expel the Ball with CO2


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Pulling the Ball

(tug-o-war)


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Cleaning

Clean the gun as soon as practical after use

Blackpowder residue causes rusting/pitting

Disassemble before cleaning

Lock, Stock, Barrel

Good old soap and water

Hot water ensures full drying

Black powder solvents / cleaners may be used


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Storage

Make sure everything is DRY!!!

Oil the inside of the barrel and nipple

Wipe down the outside of the barrel Fingerprints are acidic and will pit steel!

Wipe down the stock (stock oil/wax)

Store in a DRY location


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First Shots

Supported positions are preferred since

blackpowder rifles are HEAVY

Sandbag

Cross-Sticks

Mono-Pod

Offhand (aka standing)

Make sure you support the gun BONE TO BONE


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Five Fundamentals

Aiming

Breath Control

Hold Control Trigger Control

Follow Through

Even more important with blackpowder sincethere can be a delay between trigger pull and

ignition


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Sight Pictures

black powder rifle

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