How to Load an 1850s Hunting Gun
- 1). Prior to loading your Hawken with powder and shot, make sure your rifle is not primed with a cap. This type of rifle is known as a muzzle loader, which means that the charge and projectile are actually rammed down the barrel of the gun. The charge is ignited by a percussion cap, which is placed on the "nipple" of the rifle. The nipple is a small threaded tube near the rifle's hammer. When the cap is struck by the hammer, it will ignite, sending an explosion down the tube and into the breech, igniting the black powder charge and thus firing the projectile down the barrel. Priming your rifle before or while loading could result in a dangerous accidental discharge.
- 2). Make sure your rifle is clean. A "fouled" or dirty firearm will not fire as accurately as a clean one, therefore making it important to clean your weapon before and after it is shot. To do this, take the ram rod and place the jag on the end of it. Place a dry patch on the end of the jag and run it down the muzzle---Or the front---of the barrel. This will remove any access oil or residue.
- 3). Stand the rifle upright and begin to pour the charge. When loading the rifle, make sure it is standing upright and not pointed at yourself or other people. Measure the proper amount of black powder and pour it down the muzzle of the rifle. Never pour freely from your powder horn without measuring. Once you have poured your charge, tap the butt of the rifle against the ground or your foot to make sure the powder has properly settled.
- 4). Load your round. Place a lubricated cloth directly onto the end of the barrel, and do your best to keep it centered. Place your round shot in the center of the patch, and "start" or press the shot down into the barrel, using either your hand or a "bullet starter," such as a wooden mallet. Next take your ramrod and ram the shot down the barrel. Stop when you reach the end of the barrel---or the breech---where the charge should be sitting. Do not aggressively force the round down; just use enough pressure to set it firmly against the charge. Also, do not fire the rifle unless you are positively sure that the round is seated properly.
- 5). Prime your rifle with a percussion cap. Pull the hammer back and place a percussion cap on the nipple of the rifle. Then very carefully hold the hammer back with your thumb and pull the trigger, so as to gently lower the hammer until it just barely touches the cap. Release the trigger while still holding the hammer, and gently pull the hammer back until it clicks a single time. This is known as half-cocked and acts as a safety mechanism to prevent the gun from accidentally discharging.