Traditions Buckstalker User Manual
IMPORTANT!
Thoroughly read and
Understand all of the
Instructions and warnings
in this manual before using
your Traditions firearm.
Traditions Performance Firearms
1375 Boston Post Road
P.O. Box 776
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
www.traditionsfirearms.com
Email: info@traditionsfirearms.com
Traditions Corporate Office 860-388-4656
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Owner’s Manual
FIT 43
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I. TRADITIONS’ WARRANTY PROTECTION
INCLUDED WITH YOUR NEW GUN
Thank you for purchasing the Traditions muzzleloader. Quality, pride and old world
craftsmanship has gone into your new Traditions muzzleloader. We work hard
to provide the best value and performance possible, we back it up with a limited
lifetime warranty. Should you ever experience mechanical difficulty with your
new Traditions firearm, be assured that we are staffed and equipped to correct it
quickly. Your satisfaction with your firearm is very important to Traditions.
PLEASE HELP US SERVE YOU BETTER
In the event you should have questions pertaining to the function or performance
of your new Traditions firearm please visit our website to get answers to the most
commonly asked questions. Log on to www.traditionsfirearms.com where you
will find the FAQ’s page. This page will get you fast access to trouble shooting
solutions. If you do not find an answer to your specific question on the FAQ page
of our website please feel free to email through the website at
info@traditionsfirearms.com and a qualified member of our team will respond to
your individual question as quickly as possible. If in the event you still need
assistance please do not hesitate to contact Traditions and a member of our
Customer Service Department will be happy to assist.
In the unlikely event you need warranty service on your new firearm; we need
your help to get the work done right and without delay. It’s as easy as dropping
us a note or picking up the telephone. For your convenience Traditions engraves
the caliber, serial number and model name on each barrel or frame. Take note of
this information, record it on the warranty page in this manual and be prepared
to state it when contacting the Traditions Customer Service Department with your
questions. Contact Traditions at 860-388-4656, tell us what problem you are
experiencing and we’ll get busy to remedy your situation.
Help is just a phone call away should you experience a problem. Simply follow
these four simple steps and we’ll get your firearm back in perfect working order in
the shortest possible time.
1. Do not return your firearm to the dealer. You can save time by following the
steps outlined below.
2. Do call us and describe the problem. Chances are we can either guide you to a
solution right over the phone or when possible send you the parts you need to
correct the problem.
3. Should your gun need factory service, we will give you instructions about
where to ship it and issue you a Return Merchandise Authorization number.
4. We will inspect your firearm and make necessary repairs that are covered
under warranty.
Often we can help you by phone, call before you return your
Traditions firearm for service. Good Shooting!
(860) 388-4656
Important: All firearms must have a factory issued
Return Merchandise Authorization number (RMA#)
before returning to Traditions for warranty service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Buckstalker Break Action Rifle
I. WARRANTY PROTECTION .....................2
II. BREAK ACTION OVERVIEW ....................4
III. THE SPORT OF MUZZLELOADING ...............4
IV. MUZZLELOADING “MUSTS”....................4
V. RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY ...................6
VI. SCHEMATICS ...............................8
VII. OUT OF THE BOX ...........................10
VIII. SAFETIES .................................11
IX. DISASSEMBLY .............................12
X. IGNITION & BREECH PLUGS ..................12
XI. LOADING PROCEDURES......................13
XII. PRIMING YOU MUZZLELOADER ...............17
XIII. DE-CAPPING YOUR MUZZLELOADER ...........18
XIV. HANG FIRES & MISFIRES.....................19
XV. REMOVING THE CHARGE .....................20
XVI. SIGHTING IN...............................20
XVII. SCOPE MOUNTING..........................21
XVIII. RECOMMENDED LOADS......................21
XIX. CLEANING & MAINTENANCE ..................22
XX. HELPFUL ACCESSORIES .....................23
XXI. LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY ................24
XXII. WARRANTY REGISTRATION CARD .............27
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II. BREAK ACTION RIFLE OVERVIEW
Break-Action design firearms are so described due to the fact that the barrel and
receiver are joined by a pivoting hinge. When the action release is depressed in a
rearward motion, the receiver and barrel open in a breaking motion. A variety of
finishes & stock configurations are available.
III. THE SPORT OF MUZZLELOADING
More and more sportsmen have discovered the challenges and enjoyment of
muzzleloading in the past years. For both hunting and target shooting, muzzleloading guns have helped a modern generation recapture and enjoy an important
aspect of our nation’s sporting past. Traditions Muzzleloaders are firearms that
represent the latest developments in this unique part of the shooting sports.
They are manufactured to modern standards for safe and enjoyable shooting.
This booklet is intended as a basic guide for the proper maintenance, loading and
shooting of Traditions muzzleloaders, and it offers important rules and precautions
for safe handling and shooting of this type of firearm. In addition to this booklet, it
is recommended that the novice obtain further information and instruction before
firing a muzzleloader.
Sources for this help include:
1. National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association
2. National Rifle Association
3. Your town clerk, local sporting goods dealer, state
DEP or conservation department
4. Contact your local muzzleloader or hunting club.
IV. MUZZLELOADING ’MUSTS’ FOR
MUZZLELOADING SUCCESS
You must:
1. Read completely, fully understand and follow all instructions and warranty
limitations in this booklet before attempting to shoot your new Traditions
break open muzzleloader.
2. Always treat any firearm as if it is loaded and keep the muzzle pointed in a
safe direction.
3. Always wear proper eye and ear protection when loading or firing any firearm.
4. Don’t shoot until you are absolutely sure of your target and what is beyond it.
Do not point your firearms at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be sure that
all bystanders are safely positioned behind you and that they are aware that
you are about to shoot. All bystanders must also wear eye and hearing
protection when in the vicinity of anyone using a firearm.
5. Use only the proper grade of black powder or black powder substitutes such
as Pyrodex® powder, Pyrodex® Pellets or Triple 7® powder & Triple 7® pellets
in properly measured amounts. Be sure to reference the chart in this booklet
for recommended loads. Reduce charges of Triple 7® powder by 15%. For
example, if you were using 150 grains of Pyrodex® powder and began to use
Triple 7® powder, you would only use 130 grains of Triple 7®. Always consult
the directions from the powder manufacturer before handling and loading any
type of powder.
6. Never use any amount of smokeless gun powder in your muzzleloader.
Although also black in color, smokeless powder is a very different chemical
composition and it will produce dangerous pressures resulting in serious
injury or death to yourself, bystanders and it will destroy your firearm.
7. Never smoke or permit others to smoke in the presence of black powder,
Pyrodex
®
, Triple 7® or any other black powder substitute. Take care to guard
against all potential ignition sources.
8. Never take drugs and/or drink alcoholic beverages before and during shooting.
9. Be certain that the powder, patches and projectiles are properly sized and
measured and are loaded in the proper sequence and that the projectile is
firmly seated on top of the propellant. See Section XI for proper loading
instructions.
10. Use only cotton or linen shooting patches when loading round lead balls.
Do not use any type of plastic patches.
11. Never load powder into a gun directly from a can, powder horn or flask.
Always use a separate calibrated powder measuring device. A remaining spark
or ember in the barrel may cause an ignition of the powder and cause injury or
death to you, bystanders and destroy your firearm.
12. A firearm’s safety is a mechanical device which can fail. Always be mindful of
where the safety lever is set and routinely verify its setting. Never solely rely
on any rifle’s safety. Always treat every gun as if it were loaded and ready to
fire. Only cap or primer your muzzleloader when you are ready to fire. Uncap
or un-prime your muzzleloader when you are done shooting or hunting.
13. Always disable your muzzleloader by carefully removing the percussion cap,
musket cap or 209 primer and unloading the barrel when immediate shooting
is not planned.
14. Never cap your firearm until you are ready to fire. Never install a percussion
cap, musket cap or primer on the nipple before the gun is loaded. When
loaded, a bump or unintentional pressure could result in the discharge of the
firearms resulting in a serious accident.
15. Always store the powder, gun and percussion caps, musket caps or primers
in separate locked places. Always keep all firearms and ammunition compo-
nents secured and separate away from children. Never store a loaded gun.
16. In the event of a misfire, assume the gun could fire at any moment. Keep gun
pointed down range with the action closed. Wait at least one minute before
recapping, re-priming or removing the load from the barrel.
17. Never load a muzzleloading firearm indoors. Only load your firearm in a
location where it is safe to shoot.
18. Be certain that anyone firing this muzzleloader understands and is willing to
follow the instructions and precautions in this manual and the fundamentals of
safe firearm handling.
19. Always make certain that the safety is in the “on” position and the hammer is
in the “at rest” position when installing the primer.
20. A great way to understand more about all types of firearms is to take a
Hunter’s Safety course
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V. RULES OF FIREARMS SAFETY
1. Read completely, fully understand and be willing to follow all instructions and
warranty limitations in this booklet before attempting to shoot your firearm.
2. Point the muzzle in a safe direction at all times. A “safe direction” is one in
which, if the firearm were to discharge, there would be no injury to anyone.
Never point a gun (Whether you think it is loaded or unloaded) directly at
another person or at yourself. A bullet can penetrate walls, ceilings, floors,
doors, windows, and many other materials and kill or injure someone on the
opposite side.
3. Always check to make sure your firearm is in good working order before use.
Test the hammer, trigger, and breeching lever carefully prior to loading. Check
the barrel for any obstructions, as any obstruction can cause the barrel to
burst causing severe injury or death. Keep your finger off the trigger and
outside the trigger guard until you are aimed at a proper target and have
decided to fire. If your finger is inside the trigger guard, you could fire your
gun without intending to, for instance, if you were startled, or if you slipped or
lost your balance.
4. Always treat any firearm as if it is loaded.
5. Always wear proper eye and ear protection when loading or firing any firearm.
6. Be sure of your target, and what is around and beyond it. The projectile fired
from your firearm can travel several hundred yards, and has the potential to
kill or seriously injure someone at that distance! Once you pull the trigger,
you cannot call the projectiles back, so you must positively identify your target
before you fire. Fire only with a safe backstop behind your target - something
that will stop and contain the projectiles you fire, even if you miss the target or
your projectile passes through it.
7. Do not point your firearms at anything you do not intend to shoot. Be sure that
all bystanders are safely positioned behind you and that they are aware that
you are about to shoot. Be mindful that this firearm has a range in excess of a
half a mile.
8. Whenever you handle a firearm that, even momentarily, has been out of your
direct control, start by checking its condition to determine whether or not it is
loaded. A firearm in your hands is a lethal weapon which is YOUR responsibil ity, so YOU must check it yourself, NOW, not later. Do not rely on someone
else to check it.
9. Never take drugs and/or drink alcoholic beverages before and during shooting.
10. Never use any firearm unless you completely understand how it operates and
how its safety features work. If you are not already an experienced firearms
user, you should obtain training in the safe and proper use of firearms by
attending one of the many firearms safety and shooting courses offered in all
parts of the country by the National Rifle Association (telephone 703-267-
1000), gun clubs and ranges, gun shops, shooting schools and other qualified
sources of instruction.
11. No projectiles other than those specifically recommended by Traditions may
be used in your firearm.
12. Before firing any firearm, be sure it is in good working order and that the
barrel is clear of dirt, grease, water, excess oil, rust, corrosion or any
other obstruction.
13. Always be mindful of where the safety is set and routinely verify its setting.
Never solely rely on any rifle’s safety. It is prudent to always treat every gun as
if it were loaded and ready to fire. A firearm’s safety is a mechanical device
which can fail.
14. Never give a firearm to anyone, or take a firearm from anyone, unless it is
unloaded and the action is open. If someone tries to hand you a firearm with
the action closed, politely ask them to open it before you take it from them.
15. Always unload your firearm when immediate shooting is not planned.
16. Never leave a loaded firearm unattended.
17. Never climb, jump or move abruptly while carrying any loaded firearm.
18. Never transport a loaded firearm nor shoot one from within a vehicle.
19. Always store the ammunition and rifle in separate locked places. Always
keep all firearms and ammunition components secured and separate away
from children. Never store a loaded gun.
20. In the event of a misfire, assume the gun could fire at any moment. Keep gun
pointed down range with the action closed. Wait at least one minute before
unloading.
21. Never load a firearm indoors. Only load your firearm in a location where it is
safe to shoot.
22. Be certain that anyone firing this firearm understands and is willing to follow
the instructions and precautions in this manual and the fundamentals of safe
firearm handling.
23. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or the surface of water.
24. When shooting, be alert to be sure no one comes into the line of fire. Check
the backstop and target area carefully to be sure it is free of people each time
before you begin to fire. When firing with a group of people, put a responsible
person in charge to maintain safety, discipline and control to reduce the
chance of accidents. On a firing range, be alert to the commands of the range
officer, and follow them precisely and immediately. Never fire your gun near
an animal, unless it is trained to accept the noise of gunfire. An animal’s
startled reaction to the sound of gunfire could injure it or could cause an
accident.
25. If the firearm is dropped or struck a hard blow, open action and unload the
firearm. Check the bore for obstructions. Verify that the hammer and trigger
function properly and that there are no broken or damaged parts. Take the
firearm to a qualified gunsmith for inspection and repair if any problems
are found.
26. Refer to Section XIX for cleaning and maintenance instructions.
Take time now to acquaint yourself with your Traditions Firearm. If you have any
questions regarding your firearm after reviewing this information, please contact
the Traditions Customer Service Department for assistance.
MAKE SURE THAT THE FIREARM IS UNLOADED BEFORE PROCEEDING.
Make sure firearm is pointed in a safe direction at all times and your finger
is outside the trigger guard.
Verify firearm is unloaded by using action release button in a rearward direction to open action and visually verify that there are no live or spent primers in
the breech plug. If there are spent or live primers remove them immediately.
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VI. SCHEMATICS
Description Reference
A Rear Stock (A/W Composite) (Finished) FCS701070-2
B Fore Stock (A/W Composite) (Finished) FCS701070-1
C Ramrod Retaining Spring Screw 21817
D Ramrod Retaining Spring 400030
E Barrel Assembly ( Kit) (Length 24”)
.50 cal. perc. (twist 1:28”) C-720034-B
Barrel Assembly (Finished) (Length 24”)
.50 cal. perc. Blued (twist 1:28”) FB720034
F Plug Screw (4) 26069
G Fiber Optic Rear Sight 50610-FO
H Fiber Optic Front Sight M50611-FO
I Front Sight Mounting Screw (2) 50620
J Hexagonal Breech Plug (SS) M7200099
K Ramrod Thimble 440032-P
L Ramrod Thimble Screw 400031
M Sling Swivel Stud-Front Nut 60122
N Sling Swivel Stud-Front 37122
P Forend Stock Screw 710035
Q Frame (Alloy/Blued) 74004
R Frame Pivot Pin 710024
S Tang Screw 71016
T Tang Screw Washer 71019
U Buttpad 60126
V Buttpad Mounting Screws 20634
W Hammer 71002
X Hammer Spring M71018
Description Reference
Y Transfer Bar 71006
Z Hammer Handle 710004
AA Hammer Pin M710031
BB Firing Pin 71007
CC Firing Pin Spring M71011
DD Firing Pin Retaining Screw M710021
EE Trigger 71003
GG Barrel Catch 71005
HH Barrel Catch Spring M71017
II Barrel Catch Pin M710023
JJ Trigger Guard M710027
KK Trigger Guard Spring M71015
LL Ball 71000
MM Safety Pin M710029
NN Safety 710032
OO Tring Guard and Trigger Pin (3) 710025
PP Sling Swivel Stud-Rear 37013
QQ Pistol Grip Cap 50104
RR Pistol Grip Cap Screw 50105
SS Ramrod 24”(Aluminum) 170030
TT Ramrod Tip .50 Cal (Aluminum) 100028
UU Ramrod Assembly 170011
VV Wrench Handle 400033
XX Hexagonal Wrench 720029
AB Firing Pin Screw Washer 71020
AC Hexagonal Breech Plug Wrench 72519
Description Reference
A Rear Sight Base (Round) 50613
B Elevator Base 50614
C Rear Blade With Fiber Optic 50615-FO
D Windage Adjustment Locking Screw 50617
E Hex Nut (2) 50618
F Elevation Adjustment Locking Screw 50616
G Rear Sight Mounting Screw (2) 50622
Notes:
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