These guns are loaded by first clearing the bore of oil and other substances, then loading a measured powder charge, followed by the projectile(s). In the case of a shotgun, multiple projectiles will be used.

Older styles look like the old rifles you may have seen in the movies, with the hammer off to one side of the rear end of the barrel, usuallly the right. This is known as a sidelock design.

In recent years the trend has been towards "in-line" designs, which place the components of the gun and load all in a row, i.e. in-line with one another. Generally these designs offer better reliability and may fend off foul weather more efficiently than sidelock guns.

All varieties of these guns can be extremely accurate (despite campfire talk to the contrary), but they suffer the disadvantage of being quite slow to load, so you generally only get one shot at the game you're pursuing.

Boy Scout and Varsity Scout Muzzle loading Firearms

Because of the historical significance of muzzle loading firearms, Scouts are encouraged to learn to safely load and shoot a muzzle loader. On the range, each Scout must be under the direct supervision (one on one) of a currently NRA or NMLRA certified muzzle loading instructor when loading and firing the muzzle loader.

 Muzzle loading rifle. Only recently manufactured (or assembled from a kit) percussion cap muzzle loading rifles no greater than .58-caliber are to be used. Flintlock rifles are not approved for use by Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts.  All muzzle loading rifles are subject to safety inspection by the instructor or range officer. Rifles made from kits must be checked by a qualified gunsmith.

Propellant. Only a commercially manufactured, sporting grade black powder or black powder substitute offered for sale by a reputable firm should be used in muzzleloading rifles. 

Accessories.

• Ramrod. The ramrod is used to seat the patch and ball. It is usually mounted in the fore-end of the stock, just beneath the barrel. It is recommended that a more durable work rod be obtained for use on the range. The first time a new rod is used, it should be inserted into the charged barrel all the way down to the ball. A permanent mark should be scribed on the rod at the muzzle. This will be an indicator of a charge or ball remaining in the barrel.

• Powder flask and powder measure. Propellant shall be transferred from the original bulk container to a brass or plastic powder flask to be taken to the range. It shall then be poured into the powder measure before pouring into the barrel.

• Short starter. This tool allows the shooter to first get the ball and patch just started into the muzzle, and second to drive the ball a short distance down the barrel, before using the ramrod to seat them against the powder charge.

• Nipple wrench and nipple pick. The nipple wrench is a simple tool used to remove the cap nipple should it become fouled. A nipple pick is a stiff wire that is used to clear debris in the nipple orifice (flash channel).

• Capper. Percussion caps are packaged 100 per tin. The capper allows the caps to be dispensed one at a time right onto the nipple.

• Patch puller, ball puller. These tools fit onto the end of the ramrod to remove the ball or patch from down in the barrel. Care must be taken when using these items.

• CO2 ball discharger. This tool has a fitting to fit onto the nipple and has a small CO2 cartridge to provide pressure to blow a patch and ball out the muzzle of the rifle. Always point the muzzle loader in a safe direction when using this device.

• Loading bench. Many Scout ranges are equipped with a loading bench that provides a stable and easy-to-reach platform for the muzzle loading rifle during the loading process.

Muzzle loading pistol. (No handguns are permitted in the Boy Scout and Varsity Scout programs.)

Muzzle loading shotgun. Only recently manufactured (or assembled from a kit) percussion cap muzzle loading shotguns no smaller than 20-gauge or greater than 10-gauge are to be used. Flintlock shotguns are not approved. 

Propellant. Only a commercially manufactured, sporting grade black powder or black powder substitute offered for sale by a reputable firm should be used in muzzle loading shotguns. For new shooters, the amount of propellant in grains should be at the minimum of the gun manufacturer’s recommended load range.

Accessories.

• Ramrod. The ramrod is used to seat the patch and shot It is usually mounted in the fore-end of the stock, just eneath the barrel. It is recommended that a more durable work rod be obtained for use on the range. The first time a new rod is used, it should be inserted into the charged barrel all the way down to the ball. A permanent mark should be scribed on the rod at the muzzle. This will be an indicator of a charge or shot remaining in the barrel.

• Powder flask and powder measure. Propellant shall be transferred from the original bulk container to a brass or plastic powder flask to be taken to the range. It shall then be poured into the powder measure before pouring into the barrel.

• Shot measure. A small cup with a handle that allows the shooter to measure the exact amount of shot and then pour it directly into the barrel.

• Nipple wrench and nipple pick. The nipple wrench is a simple tool used to remove the cap nipple should it become fouled. A nipple pick is a stiff wire that is used to clear debris in the nipple orifice (flash channel).

• Capper. Percussion caps are packaged 100 per tin. The capper allows the caps to be dispensed one at a time right onto the nipple.

• Patch puller, wad puller. These tools fi t onto the end of the ramrod to remove the wad or patch from down in the barrel. Care must be taken when using these items.

• CO2 ball discharger. This tool has a fitting to fit onto the nipple and has a small CO2 cartridge to provide pressure to blow a patch and shot out the muzzle of the shotgun. Always point the muzzle loading shotgun in a safe direction when using this device.

• Loading bench. Many Scout ranges are equipped with a loading bench that provides a stable and easy-to-reach platform for the muzzle loading shotgun during the loading process.