5th C O M M A N D M E N T
Use Proper Ammunition
Every firearm is designed
to use a certain caliber or gauge of ammunition. Using the wrong ammunition,
mixing ammunition or using improperly reloaded ammunition can cause serious personal injury or death.
And it only takes one cartridge or shotshell of the incorrect caliber or gauge, or which has been improperly reloaded, to destroy your firearm. It's your responsibility to make sure the ammunition you use exactly matches the caliber or gauge of your firearm. Refer to this instruction book to find out the specific requirements of your firearm. Always read and heed the instructions on ammunition boxes.
Confusing shells
or cartridges can cause serious personal injury or death and destroy your firearm.
Examine your shells or cartridges closely and use only the precise caliber or gauge for your specific
firearm. For example, suppose you accidentally loaded a 20 ga. shell into a 12 ga. shotgun. Because the
20 ga. shell is too small for the chamber, the 20 ga. shell could travel down the barrel and get lodged in
the bore. If you then loaded a standard 12 ga. shell behind it and fired, the 12 ga. shot will slam into the
lodged 20 ga. shell and may cause the barrel to explode right in your hand. This is commonly called a
12/20 burst, and it can kill you.
Check all ammunition
before you load it to make sure it matches your firearm's requirements. Every
Remington®cartridge and shell is head-stamped with its caliber or gauge for easy identification. Likewise,
you'll find the caliber or gauge of your new Remington firearm imprinted on the barrel.
Reloading Requires Extra Diligence.
If you're an ammunition reloader,
you are responsible for personally ensuring that the loads and components of your reloaded ammunition meet your firearm's factory-tested standards. Never use ammunition,
which has been reloaded by someone else!
Many shooters handload
as a hobby or to save money on commercial, factory-made ammunition.
However, it requires a thorough knowledge of reloading procedures and a deep respect for the explosive
potential of gunpowder.
Firearms are designed,
manufactured and proof-tested to standards based on factory-loaded ammunition. Handloaded or reloaded ammunition that deviates, either intentionally or accidentally, from load or
component recommendations can be very dangerous.
Reloaders must observe all possible safety precautions and practices related to the proper handling of
explosives. Whether you're a seasoned reloader or just starting out, you should study the subject, watch
reloading demonstrations and talk to experienced reloaders.
The first rule of reloading
is to always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the components you're
using. They'll tell you to follow certain guidelines. Namely:
1. Don't mix or substitute powders or primers.
2. Don't use unknown or substandard components.
3. Use only suitable components that have been factory-tested by reputable ammunition,
powder and bullet manufacturers.
4. Always be sure to use the manufacturer's recommended recipe when reloading.
Not following these guidelines
could result in severe injury to yourself or severe damage to your firearm.
Dangerously high pressure and explosions can result from an overcharge of powder or other deviations from
established reloading guidelines. Be very careful. The process of reloading exposes you to environmentally
hazardous material. Lead, which is known to cause cancer and birth defects, is the most common substance
in bullets and shot. It is important to handle lead bullets and shot with extreme care. Work only in a well-ventilated area and always wash your hands after exposure and before eating. Never smoke while reloading.
Primers and powders
are also highly toxic and flammable. So after reloading be sure to clean up all materials from your work area. Don't leave primer or powder spills anywhere on the floor or bench top. Dispose
of all waste material in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Finally, when reloading
or handloading concentrate on what you're doing at all times. Do not be distracted by talking to others, listening to the radio or watching TV while reloading. Never reload after consuming alcoholic beverages or drugs of any kind. You are working with extremely hazardous materials and you
can't risk even a few seconds of distraction. Remember, if you reload, you are the ammunition manufacturer and you are responsible for the performance and safety of your reloaded ammunition.
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6th C O M M A N D M E N T
IF YOUR FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE WHEN THE TRIGGER IS PULLED, HANDLE WITH CARE.
I
f for some reason
the ammunition doesn't fire when you pull the trigger, stop and remember the 1st
Commandment of Firearm Safety - always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your
face away from the breech, then put the safety on, carefully open the action, unload the firearm and
dispose of the cartridge safely. Remember that anytime there's a shell in the chamber, your firearm
is loaded and ready to use. Even if you tried to shoot and your firearm didn't fire, treat your firearm
as if it could still discharge.
7th C O M M A N D M E N T
Your sight and hearing
risk injury from shooting and should be protected
at all times. Wear protective shooting glasses to guard against falling
shot, clay target chips, powder residue, ruptured cartridge cases and
even twigs and branches in the field. Also be sure to wear eye protection
when you're disassembling or cleaning a firearm so that tensioned parts
(like springs) and cleaning solvents don't come in contact with your
eyes. Continued exposure to shooting noise can permanently damage your hearing. On the
range, where shooting volume is the loudest, be sure to use the maximum protection of a headset. Learn to use ear protection at all times.
8th C O M M A N D M E N T
BE SURE THE BARREL IS CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SHOOTING.
Before loading your firearm
, open the action and make sure there's no ammunition in the chamber
or magazine. Check the barrel for any obstructions or debris. Even a small amount of snow, mud,
excess lubricant or grease in the bore can dangerously increase pressure and cause the barrel to
bulge or burst when firing. Use a cleaning rod and patch to wipe away anti-rust compounds or any
other residues or obstructions in the barrel. Never try to shoot out an obstruction by loading another shell and firing!
When firing
, rely on your instincts. If the noise or recoil of your firearm seems weak, stop everything,
unload your firearm and be sure nothing is lodged in the barrel. Remember the 12/20 burst? That's
what can happen when the barrel is obstructed. Always be sure you're using the correct ammunition in your firearm and that it's free of obstructions.
9th C O M M A N D M E N T
DON'T ALTER OR MODIFY YOUR FIREARM AND HAV E I T SERVICED REGULARLY.
Your firearm has
been designed to operate according to certain factory specifications. You'll jeopardize your safety and that of others around you by attempting to alter its trigger, mechanical safety or other mechanisms. So never alter or modify your firearm in any way.
Like any mechanical device,
a firearm is subject to wear. It must be
maintained and periodically serviced to assure optimum safety and
performance. Only a qualified service facility should service, repair or
modify your Remington firearm. Consult your instruction book for
instructions on how to send your firearm to the factory or for the location of the nearest Remington authorized repair station.
Proper cleaning and lubrication
are also important to firearm maintenance and are necessary to assure accuracy, safety and reliability.
Before cleaning, always make sure that your firearm is completely
unloaded. And always clean the barrel from the chamber end to the muzzle when possible.
Make it a practice to clean your bore every time you're going to shoot. Be sure to clean your entire
firearm before and after long-term storage and no less than once a year. It's also important to clean your
firearm whenever it's been exposed to adverse conditions such as rain, dirt, mud, snow, sleet or saltwater.
ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING.
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