THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF MUZZLELOADING
1. Muzzleloading firearms are not toys. Treat them with the same respect due any firearm.
2. Use only BLACK POWDER or Pyrodex or equivelant, of the proper granulations, in your muzzleloading firearms. Such guns are not designed to withstand the higher pressures developed by modern smokeless powders.
3. NEVER fire a muzzleloader unless the ball or shot charge is firmly seated against the powder charge. An air apace between powder and projectile will cause the barrel to be ringed or bulged, thus ruined for accurate shooting, and in some cases may cause the barrel to rupture, with possible injury to the shooter and bystanders.
4. Do not exceed manufacturer's recommended maximum loads or attempt to load multiple projectile loads. When in doubt, secure information concerning proper loads from an authoritative source.
5. When loading your muzzleloading firearm, do not expose your body to the muzzle. Grasp the ramrod only a short distance above where it protrudes from the barrel, pushing it down in short strokes, rather than grasping it near the outer end, where, in the event the rod breaks, serious injury can happen to the shooter's armcoming into contact with the splintered end of the broken rod.
6. Always make sure that your downrange area is a safe impact area for your projectiles. Round balls may carry as far as 800 yards and elongated projectiles well beyond this distance.
7. NEVER smoke while loading, shooting or handling black powder.
8. NEVER drink alcoholic beverages while loading, shooting or handling black powder.
9. Do not load directly from powder horn or flask. Use a separate measure. A lingering spark in the barrel can ignite the incoming charge, causing the horn or flask to explode in your hand.
10. The halfcocked notch is not the safety notch on a muzzleloader.

The nature of a muzzleloading firearm requires that YOU, the shooter, exercise caution and skill in the care, loading, and use of such a firearm. Make certain that you are informed as to the proper steps in such care and use.