this might sound extremely dumb or silly, but it is a question i have lol. i have the WOlF 50 cal. muzzleloder. bought it last year, only used it once -never shot anything with it. I will be hunting with it tomarrow and want to make sure im loading it correctly. I simply take two cylinders of black powder, drop it down the barrel, i then take a 50 cal. slug and drop it down the barrel. I then use the rod to firmly press those two elements down into the barrel so they stay put. I then take one of those little caps, open the break action and place it in there. close action, and pull back hammer when ready and fire.

is this correct? I know it sounds like a fundalmental question, but i hardly ever use a ML (usually bow and shotgun) so my understanding of it is somewhat under par. and there is no scope, im usingiron sights so im pretty sure it is on point (atleats it was last year when my uncle shot it). Thanks for the help, again sorry for the basic question

Not too basic at all geterdun. You've got the loading process right, but it would be advisable to run a patch down the barrel with your ramrod (the patch goes on the cleaning jag) to make sure the barrel is clean and dry, and pop a cap or two on the empty barrel before you load it to make sure the flash hole is clear. When you do this point the muzzleat something on the ground (like a leaf) about ten inches from the muzzle. You should see it move when you pop the cap.

I hate to say this but don't use that muzzleloader tomorrow. From the way you describe yourself you are far from ready. YOU need to practice with powder and sabots. Consider using the shotgun, sounds like your more familiar with it. You never shoot a firearm at a animal that your not "sure is on point". I don't mean to be so blunt but you owe it to the animal your hunting to be sure of #1 yourself and #2 the weapon of choice. In this case I see neither.......

thanks for the answers, both of you. i am a safe, ethical hunter and im sure the gun is on. lets say you have never used a ML before, alright...your uncle takes you with him and says "im going to load this for you, so you only get one shot" and you go and hunt. just because i dont know how to load it doesnt mean i cant be safe with it, IMO. in order to use a shotgun, a young kid or young hunter doesnt have to be extremely fluent with it, IMO. if they know they gun is on, and have taking safety course and folllow ALL rules regaridng firearm safety, i dont understad the problem. i know from a first glance it probably looks like im a 15 year old who just bought his first gun and wants to run into the woods ASAP, but that is not the case. im 21, have been shooting guns (all except for ML) for years, have killed many deer with firearms and take their safety extremely seriously. i am just not that fluent with ML as of yet. but the only way for me to learn to is do it. it wont be unethical for deer because once the gun is loaded, im very safe and i take very ethical shots. i understand your guys' concern, and it is greeatly appreciated, but i guess my question does come off fundalmental. noone in my family hunts (except my "uncle") so i have been teaching myself everything for about 5 years now. sorry if i sounded like im being immature about it, but when there is noone to teach you something, you must rely on the next best thing, which in my case is my experience with firearms in general and you guys here on the board. sorry if i affended anyone

Before you load that thing.. be sure to swab the barrel with a lightlydamp alcohol patch. Work the patch on the loading jag in short strokes from muzzle to breech. After that do the same thing with two dry patches. Make sure the barrel is oil free and dry before loading. This is the same manner you would swab the barrel after you shoot during the day and need to load a second shot. Many people bring with them hunting, swab patches and dry patches.

Then push a dry patch down to the empty breech and pop a 209 primer. Pull that and look at the patch. It should be burned, sometimes even blow back over the jag, and black. That means the breech is nice and clear. Now pull that, and pop off a second 209 primer.

Now drop your pellets. If they are pyrodex, lift them from their plastic container with that pipe cleaner, and dump them the say way they face in down the barrel. They have a small end coated with black powder to help in their ignition. Triple Se7en pellets do not, but load them the same way they sit in their box like a big sky crane, over to the barrel and down to earth...

Now put your projectile in the muzzle and in one fluid motion, push that down until you feel it seat on the pellets. You do not have to crush the Pyrodex RS pellets or the Triple Se7en pellets. The APP and Shockey "sticks" need to be crushed.

Now cap that back breech plug with the 209 primer and you should be set to go. Good luck. if you don't see anything, at the end of the day, pick out something like a knot on a tree and see how close that rifle is shooting. Sometimes they just seem to change as they sit around, or you forget the exact sight hold..

Get 'er done and shoot a big un...

You don't need to appologize. The only way to learn is to read or ask questions. Let's hear more about what you've got there, What type of powder and bullet are you using? Take some time and read some of the posts here on the forum and PLEASE don't be afraid to ask questions. There is a great wealth of information here and some kind gentlemen that will be more that happy to answer your questions. I do agree with what sisfire said as far as being familiar with your weapon. Perhaps you could come out of the woods early tommorrow and shoot your muzzleloader a little to get the knowledge and experience that you need. Hope this helps.

geterdun3 - I guess you know the sights on a muzzleloader are adjustable both side to side and up or down. It is not a shotgun. If you have never fired the gun, it could be off by as much as 12" out of the box at 50 yds., maybe high right, maybe low left. Were you aware of that?

yeoman, yes i am. my uncle shot it last year and it was right on. i havent moved it on dropped it since then, so im suspecting it still is. believe me i understand the concern, and EXTREMELY appreciate it, but i am 95% sure its still on. there is no reason it shouldnt be. thanks bud

bigtimer- thanks bud, i didnt see ur post when i just posted. yea i know this sight is great. thats why i ask alot of questions. im sure most people who hunt learned how to from people in their family or close friends. well noone i know hunts at all, except for my uncle a little but i hardly ever see him. so i come here and ask questions. im def. a safe hunter ya know, i just am not that fluent with a ML. that is a good idea tho, maybe i will come out after an hour or so and give it a few shots to be sure, but im pretty sure its on. thanks for the help every1

Geterdun:

Not trying to pile on or turn you off from hunting or firearms, but...

MLs (Muzzle loaders) are very different from rim/center-fire rifles. As you probably know, being "on point" for one person does not mean being "on point" for another. This is especially true for muzzle loaders.

A great deal of conversation on this boarddealswith learning your firearm and how to make it perform predictably, reliably and accurately. That only comes about with time, observation, practice and lots of mistakes.

But that is the fun part!

I wish you a safe, ethical and fruitful hunt.

Hopefully you will decide to dedicate the time to learn about this fun and challenging aspect of shooting sports. I did and have never once regretted it.

Peace be with you,
~Robert