Safety

Eye and ear protection must be used when shooting any black powder firearm.
No smoking around black powder within 15ft.
Load with muzzle vertical or down range. Keep hands and face away from muzzle.
Load your firearm in proper sequence: POWDER àPATCH à BALL
No blowing down the barrel of any firearm after shooting unless with an optional Blow Tube. Shooter’s head should not be placed over the barrel.
Black powder containers are to be closed at all times except during loading.
Black powder must be measured from bulk container (horn, flask, etc) into a measure and then into firearm. Measuring flasks or horns can expose a relatively large volume of powder to latent sparks.
If you should have any problems arise, you should ground your firearm with muzzle down range and notify the Shoot Master or Range Safety Officer immediately.
In the event of any misfire, keep muzzle pointed down range for 10 seconds in case of slow or hang fire.
Loading is done only behind the firing line and out of the range of shooting sparks.
Use only sporting black powder or pyrodex in your firearm.
Do not overload your firearm with heavy charge or extra balls.
When shooting, position yourself to protect the shooter next to you from cap fragments or from the blast of burning powder from the flash hole. Flash guards are recommended.
Set triggers should be “set” only on the firing line with the firearm pointed down range and just prior to shooting at the target.
No handling or loading firearms while shooters are down range.
Use extreme care if necessary to pull a ball. Wet powder with water through nipple or frizzen hole before attempting to remove the ball.
Use of an approved CO2 or Air device to blow out the ball is recommended.
Clean up any spilled powder immediately.
Store your powder in a safe, dry place.
Range housekeeping is a part of shooting. Clean up your targets and any mess you make.
Use of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited.