HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base
Module 06 - MUZZLELOADERS 101
FIRING CYCLE OF A MUZZLELOADER
See how it works:
Once loaded, a muzzleloader is ready to fire. Here’s what happens depending on whether you have a flintlock or a caplock muzzleloader:
With a Flintlock Muzzleloader:
- First, the trigger is pulled.
- Then, the hammer (which holds the flint) springs forward and causes the flint to strike the frizzen, which creates sparks.
- Then, the frizzen is pushed downwards by the hammer and the sparks ignite the priming powder.
- Once the priming powder is ignited, the powder charge will ignite through the touchhole and the muzzleloader will fire the ammunition.
With a Caplock Muzzleloader:
- First, the trigger is pulled.
- Then the hammer springs forward and strikes the percussion cap to create sparks, which ignite the main powder charge.
- Once the powder ignites, the muzzleloader will fire the ammunition.
