Safety Tips for Blackpowder Gun Users

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dave Meredith, the PR Director at Connecticut Valley Arms (CVA) in Norcross, Georgia, has hunted for more than 52 years, beginning at 8 years of age. Meredith enjoys hunting many species with black powder, particularly the white-tailed deer. He likes hunting with black powder because of the challenge of the sport, being in the woods with few other hunters and participating in a historical way to hunt like his grandparents and great-grandparents did.

Question: Since I'll be handling an explosive charge, a bullet and a firing mechanism, what do I need to know to be safe?
Answer: You need to be familiar with the powder charge you're using; don't use more powder charge than is recommended by your manufacturer for that particular gun. If you're using pre-measured pellets, they come in 50- and 30-grain increments, enabling you to make a load up to 100, 120 or 150 grains. The pellets have two colored ends. I recommend always making sure that the dark end is down in the barrel first. At the time you put your bullet in, the gun is still relatively safe because there's no primer on there to ignite it; however, you still want to treat it like a loaded gun. Always keep your black-powder gun pointed downrange, in a safe direction. Once you cap it or put the primer in, the gun is fully loaded and will go off. Like any other explosive, this loaded black-powder gun is dangerous. Always follow the basic rules for gun safety because a black-powder gun is like any other gun. The only difference is you're loading the three components separately than you do in a modern rifle.

Question: Can the black-powder gun go off unexpectedly, and if so, how can I prevent that?
Answer: Any gun can go off unexpectedly. Once you put the charge in your black-powder gun, simply bumping it may cause it to go off if it's cocked. The best way to prevent that from happening is to always make sure you have a good grip on the gun and keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire. If you're just walking to and from a place, don't have the cap on it.

Question: What does the term, "hangfire," mean, and how can I avoid this problem?
Answer: A hangfire is caused when the primer fires, but the powder doesn't ignite. To avoid a hangfire, make sure the gun is clean, the communication hole between the cap and the powder is clean, the powder is dry, and that the inside of the barrel is dry before loading. If you have a hangfire, make sure the gun is pointed downrange for at least one minute, then recap, and try again. If the hangfire persists, make the powder inert by taking the barrel off the gun and soaking it in a bucket of water. Disassemble the gun, and push the powder charge and bullet out from the back after you've removed the breechplug.

Question: What's the biggest safety problem that most black-powder hunters encounter, and how can I avoid it?
Answer: The biggest problem we have concerns people not following the manufacturer's recommendations for powder and the amount of powder they use in their guns. You must use the right powder for the gun. Many people will put modern powder in a black-powder gun, although the guns aren't designed for modern powder. Remember that black powder doesn't refer to a color but rather to the type of powder. Also, don't mix powders. Another problem occurs when people don't follow the basic rules of gun safety. For example, if you're going to cross an area, either hand the gun to somebody, or lay it down so it won't be caught in something if you fall.

Question: How safe is a black-powder rifle compared to a modern rifle?
Answer: A black-powder rifle is just as safe as any modern gun on the market. The safety of the gun depends on the person using it; if the directions are followed, there shouldn't be any problems.

Question: How far can I safely shoot a black-powder rifle?
Answer: New inline rifles can shoot up to 200 yards easily, but you always want to clarify your target and your line of fire.

Question: List the 10-safety tips that every black-powder hunter should know.
Answer: 1) Keep the gun muzzle pointed in a safe direction. 2) Be sure of your target and what's beyond your target. 3) Never rely on the gun's safety. 4) Make sure that the gun is unloaded until ready to use. 5) Wear eye and ear protection. 6) Make sure there's nothing in the barrel -- that it's clean of obstruction. 7) Treat every gun as if it's loaded -- even if it's right out of the box. 8) Keep the gun and ammo in separate and locked storage. 9) Avoid alcohol and drug use before and during use of the firearm. 10) Don't alter or modify your firearm. And here's an extra safety tip -- always have the firearm checked regularly by a competent gunsmith to make sure all the parts work properly. For more information on CVA's quality black-powder guns, call (770) 449-4687; email info@cva.com; or, see the catalogue online at www.cva.com.

TOMORROW: How to Shoot the Blackpowder Rifle