A successful hunt starts with a safe hunt. Whether you're a seasoned muzzleloader hunter or new to the sport, severe injury or death can result if the wrong load is used, if there is an obstruction in the barrel when fired, or if your gun is not handled safely. The beginning of a new season is always a good time to refresh yourself on The Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety. https://www.hunter-ed.com/muzzleloader/studyGuide/The-Ten-Commandments-of-Firearm-Safety/222099_88820/. We at CVA also want to use this opportunity to highlight some of the best practices for the safe use and handling of a muzzleloader. Please always remember to:

• Pay close attention during the entire loading process. Ensure the barrel is unloaded and clear of obstructions before loading. Double-loading, loading multiple projectiles, or projectiles partially down the barrel, all create a dangerous obstruction. Take care to avoid any time lapses or distractions between steps during the loading process.

• Mark your ramrod to show the depth of a proper load with a properly seated bullet. If the rod mark extends beyond the muzzle, it’s a sign that the firearm may have been over-loaded, double-loaded, or that the projectile is not properly seated.

• Use the proper amount of powder (some are measured by weight, and some by volume) and the correct projectile for your model and caliber.

• Never use modern smokeless powder in a CVA muzzleloader. The use of smokeless powder, either alone or mixed with black powder or its approved substitutes, can create dangerously high pressures.

• Never prime or cap a muzzleloader until you are ready to shoot.

• When finished shooting for the day, before transporting, and before storing your muzzleloader for any period of time, unload the muzzleloader. This can be done by safely firing the gun, or by following the unloading steps outlined in your manual.

CVA has recently released a YouTube series “CVA’s Essentials of Muzzleloading”, where we cover the basics of how to safely and successfully load, shoot, maintain, and handle your muzzleloader.

Neither the videos nor this blog, take the place of the information in the manuals. Whether you’re using a Paramount, Accura, Optima, Wolf, Crossfire, or one of our older models, always consult your manual for model-specific guidance. By following the safety instructions and warnings in your manual, and observing these reminders, keeping safety top of mind, you’ll ensure that this season is both enjoyable and accident-free.

Have a safe hunting season!