Traditions Vortek StrikerFire User Manual
Safety & Instruction Manual
WARNING: Black Powder or an approved black
powder substitute are the only propellant
powders that are safe to use in a muzzleloading
firearm.
Read the instructions and warnings in this
manual CAREFULLY BEFORE using this
Traditions™ firearm.
Traditions™ Performance Firearms
1375 Boston Post Road
P.O. Box 776
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
(860) 388-4656
www.traditionsfirearms.com
Your Muzzleloading Rifle
Congratulations on your purchase of a Traditions™
muzzleloader. You have selected a muzzleloading
firearm designed and engineered to give today’s
shooters the highest performance and optimum
accuracy. When given the respect and care that any
firearm demands, you can expect many years of reliable
service and enjoyable hunting from your new
Traditions™ muzzleloader.
The Sport of Muzzleloading
More and more sportsmen have discovered the
challenge and enjoyment of muzzleloading in recent
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 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
2
WARNING!
YOU MUST READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS CAREFULLY. BE SURE THAT YOU
UNDERSTAND THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS BEFORE USING THIS OR ANY
TRADITIONS™ FIREARM. FAILURE TO READ
THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND TO FOLLOW THESE
WARNINGS PROPERLY MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU AND OTHERS AND
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
This SAFETY & INSTRUCTION MANUAL should
always accompany this firearm and be transferred
with it upon change of ownership or when the
firearm is presented to another person.
Always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction
with your finger off the trigger until you are ready to
fire. Never point a firearm at anything you do not
intend to shoot and always be sure of what is
beyond your target.
If you don’t have a manual, a printed copy is
available free upon request by contacting
Traditions™ at the address below. A manual is also
available via download at
www.traditionsfirearms.com
• CUSTOMER SUPPORT •
Traditions Performance Firearms™
1375 Boston Post Road
P.O. Box 776
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
(860) 388-4656
www.traditionsfirearms.com
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES…………….......5
2. SAFE STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION………......10
3. SAFETY RULES FOR YOUR TRADITIONS™
MUZZLELOADER………………………….....................12
4. LEARNING THE BASICS OF THE VORTEK
STRIKERFIRE™………………………………………….15
5. FUNCTION TEST FOR THE VORTEK
STRIKERFIRE™………………………………………….18
6. INTIAL CLEANING…………………………………….20
7. BASIC EQUIPMENT FOR SHOOTING THE
VORTEK STRIKERFIRE™……………………………...22
8. SAFETY PREPARATION FOR FIRING……………..22
9. CHARGING YOUR TRADITIONS™ VORTEK
STRIKERFIRE™….......................................................24
10. PRIMING THE TRADITIONS™ VORTEK
STRIKERFIRE™………………………………………….30
11. FIRING THE TRADITIONS™ VORTEK
STRIKERFIRE™………………………………………….31
12. DEPRIMING YOUR MUZZLELOADER AFTER
FIRING……………………………………………………..32
13. MISFIRES & HANGFIRES…………………………..32
14. UNLOADING AND UNCHARGING YOUR RIFLE..34
15. CLEANING & MAINTENANCE……………………..35
16. SIGHTING IN & SCOPE MOUNTING……………..46
17. INFORMATION ON BLACK POWDER & BLACK
POWDER SUBSTITUTES……………………………….47
18. SUGGESTED LOADS FOR VORTEK
STRIKERFIRE™………………………………………….51
19. WARRANTY & SERVICE…………………………...54
4
1. YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
SAFETY IS YOUR NUMBER ONE
RESPONSIBILITY!!!!
No matter if you are at home, in the field, at the range, or anywhere;
your primary concern as a firearm owner must always be safety. You
must always apply the following safety rules in every situation with any
kind of firearm regardless of setting. If you feel unsure about any
aspect of your firearm or its operation, please contact Traditions™
before using it.
WARNING: YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL OF THESE SAFETY RULES
TO ENSURE THE SAFE USE OF YOUR FIREARM. THE FAILURE
TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH TO YOU OR OTHERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.
When you become a firearm owner, you take on a serious and
demanding responsibility. How seriously you take this responsibility
can be the difference between life and death. There is no excuse for
reckless or abusive handling of your firearm. At all times you must
handle your firearm with an intense respect for its power and potential
danger.
SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING IS YOUR PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY ALWAYS. Firearms have the potential to be
dangerous resulting in serious injury or death if they are misused or
handled inappropriately. Safety must always be the primary concern of
anyone who owns or handles firearms. Accidents are the result of
violating the rules of safe firearm handling. Professional firearm safety
training is available to supplement the safety instruction in this manual.
Some examples organizations to contact are your local firearms
dealer, state conservation department, hunter safety department, law
enforcement agency, local sportsman’s club, the National Rifle
Association (NRA) for availability of firearms training.
FIREARM SECURITY IS YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
ALWAYS SAFELY STORE AND SECURE YOUR FIREARM. You
must ensure that your firearms are securely and safely stored so that
children and/or unauthorized users may not obtain them. Your firearms
should always be kept unloaded and locked when not in use or in your
immediate control. Never assume that the use of a lock alone is
sufficient to safely secure your firearm. You must continually evaluate
your personal situation and employ security systems that prevent
children and unauthorized users from gaining access to your firearm.
5
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND ALL YOUR FIREARMS
AT ALL TIMES. In owning a firearm, you have a constant
responsibility for your firearm’s safety and security. You must always
protect yourself and all others against injury or death from misuse of
the firearm 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This
responsibility is not something you can ever be neglectful of
maintaining.
ALWAYS TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT IS LOADED AND WILL
FIRE. Never assume or take anyone’s word that the firearm is
uncharged or unprimed – you must always physically check for
yourself. Never pass a loaded firearm to another person. You must first
open the action and then visually check that it is uncharged and
unprimed before passing the firearm to another person. Keep your
muzzleloading firearm uncharged, unprimed, and safely stored when
not in use.
NEVER PLACE YOUR FINGER INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD OR
ON THE TRIGGER UNLESS YOU INTEND TO FIRE. Always keep
your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you are
prepared to fire. Also make sure that other objects do not touch the
trigger at anytime.
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
Never point the muzzle of a firearm at anyone or anything you do not
intend to shoot whether or not it is loaded. This is especially important
when loading, unloading, or field stripping the gun. ALWAYS control
the direction of the firearm.
ALWAYS BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.
Always know where a bullet you fire will hit and shoot only where there
is a safe back stop free of any obstructions. Bullets can bounce or
ricochet off many surfaces like rocks or the surface of water and travel
in unpredictable directions with considerable velocity creating
dangerous situations. NEVER fire randomly into the sky.
NEVER CROSS ANY OBSTACLES SUCH AS FENCES OR
STREAMS WITH A CHARGED OR PRIMED MUZZLELOADING
FIREARM. Always make sure your muzzleloading firearm is unprimed
or unloaded before crossing a fence, climbing a tree, jumping a ditch or
negotiating any other obstacles.
WARNING! ALWAYS REMOVE THE PRIMER OR
PERCUSSION/MUSKET CAP FROM THE BREECH PLUG OR
NIPPLE BEFORE YOU CLIMB TO OR DESCEND FROM A TREE
STAND. NEVER RAISE OR LOWER A PRIMED MUZZLELOADING
FIREARM TO OR FROM A TREE STAND. Failure to follow this rule
may cause serious injury and/or death to the shooter or bystanders
and damage to property.
6
NEVER LEAN A CHARGED AND PRIMED RIFLE AGAINST A
TREE, A WALL OR ANY SURFACE WHERE IT MAY FALL OVER.
Once a rifle has been charged and primed it is your responsibility to
protect against any situation that may result in an accidental discharge.
Failure to follow this rule may cause serious injury and/or death to the
shooter or bystanders and damage to property.
APPROPRIATE USE FOR YOUR FIREARM MEANS USING YOUR
FIREARM FOR LEGAL PURPOSES. It is your responsibility to ensure
that you are in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and Local
laws and ordinances regarding the use of your firearm where you
intend to use it.
NEVER SOLEY RELY ON MECHANICAL FEATURES SUCH AS A
SAFETY. Mechanical features such as safeties can fail and should
never be exclusively relied upon with disregard to proper safe firearms
handling. Only by following the safe firearm-handling procedures in this
manual will the safe use of your firearm be assured. You are
responsible for always following these safe firearm handling rules.
NEVER KEEP AMMUNITION AND LOADING COMPONENTS IN
THE SAME LOCATION AS THE FIREARM. Store each in a separate
and secure place to avoid children or unauthorized users from
obtaining them.
ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION THAT ARE
SPECIFIED FOR USE WITH FIREARMS every time you handle your
firearm for loading, firing, cleaning, or maintenance. Make sure that all
bystanders where you will be shooting are also wearing the proper eye
and ear protection.
NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE ALCOHOL OR
DRUGS BEFORE OR WHILE SHOOTING. In addition do not use your
firearm if you are on any medication which impairs, even slightly, your
mental or physical ability. You should also not use your firearm if you
are excessively tired, distracted, or impaired in any way. You need to
be alert and have your full attention devoted to the safe use of the
firearm.
ALWAYS HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION WHEN DISCHARGING
A FIRE ARM. Discharging a firearm in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning
firearms, or handling ammunition and loading components may result
in exposure to lead and other substances known to cause birth
defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Review
the warnings and labels for all ammunition, loading components, and
cleaning products carefully. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
7
BEFORE HANDLING ANY FIREARM, UNDERSTAND ITS
OPERATION. Not all firearms are the same and some have features
and mechanical operation unique to that specific firearm. Before using
a firearm you should learn the mechanical features of that specific
firearm you intend to use. If you feel unsure about any operational
aspects of this firearm, please contact Traditions™ before proceeding
with its operation.
NEVER ALLOW THIS FIREARM TO BE USED BY ANYONE WHO
DOES NOT UNDERSTAND ITS SAFE OPERATION OR HAS NOT
READ THIS MANUAL IN ITS ENTIRETY.
ALWAYS USE THE CORRECT COMBINATION OF
MUZZLELOADING APPROVED LOAD COMPONENTS FOR YOUR
PARTICULAR MUZZLELOADING FIREARM as detailed in this
manual.
MAKE CERTAIN THE BARREL IS CLEAR OF ANY
OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SHOOTING. Dirt, water, snow or other
objects may inadvertently become lodged in the bore of the barrel. A
small obstruction can cause a dangerous increase in pressure and
may damage your firearm and cause injury to yourself and others.
Refer to the field cleaning section of this manual if you discover any
obstructions in the barrel for instructions on how to remove it.
MAKE SURE THAT ALL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS HOLSTERS,
GRIPS, SLINGS, SCOPES AND ANY OTHER ACCESSORIES ARE
COMPATIBLE with the firearm and that they do not interfere with the
safe operation of the firearm. It is your responsibility to understand and
follow all of the instructions in this manual, as well as those which may
be supplied with your ammunition and loading components and any
accessory and how they all relate to each other.
NEVER DISASSEMBLE YOUR FIREARM beyond the instructions
outlined in this manual. Improper disassembly or re-assembly of your
firearm may create a dangerous situation which can lead to serious
injury or death to you or others or also the destruction of property.
NEVER MANIPULATE, ADJUST OR ALTER ANY OF THE
INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF YOUR FIREARM. Improper
manipulation or alteration of any internal component may affect the
safety and reliability of your firearm and create a situation where
serious injury or death could occur. In addition do not add or replace
any of the parts in your rifle unless they are genuine Traditions™ parts
and you properly follow the instructions provided by Traditions™. The
use of non-Traditions™ parts will void all warranties. Any alteration or
replacement of parts in your Traditions™ firearm unless performed by
a qualified gunsmith using genuine Traditions™ parts. If you do
otherwise, improper functioning of your firearm may occur and serious
injury or death and damage to property may result.
8
USE TRADITIONS™ SCOPE MOUNTS ONLY. All current
Traditions™ rifles come drilled and tapped for use with scopes.
Traditions™ offers a wide variety of scopes, scope mounts, and rings
in varying sizes and finishes to suit your needs. When mounting a
scope use only Traditions™ mounts to ensure proper fit and function.
Traditions™ mounts are specifically made to fit these predrilled
existing holes in your firearm.
WARNING: DO NOT DRILL HOLES IN THE BARREL AS THIS
COULD WEAKEN THE BARREL STRUCTURE LEADING TO A
RUPTURE. A RUPTURED BARREL CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY
AND/OR DEATH TO THE SHOOT ER OR BYSTANDERS AND
DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. DRILLING HOLES IN THE BARREL
ALSO VOIDS ALL WARRANTIES.
WARNING: THE SAFE USE OF A FIREARM IS YOUR CONSTANT
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE FAILURE TO FOLLOW
ALL OF THESE BASIC SAFETY RULES OUTLINED IN THIS
MANUAL MAY RESULT IN SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY OR
DEATH TO YOU OR OTHERS AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. YOU
ARE THE MOST CRUCIAL PART OF FIREARMS SAFETY WHEN IT
COMES TO THE USE OF YOUR FIREARM AND TRADITIONS™
WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY,
DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM: (1) THE
CRIMINAL OR NEGLIGENT USE OF THIS FIREARM; (2) A
DISREGARD OF THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS; (3) IMPROPER OR CARELESS HANDLING OF THIS
FIREARM; (4) THE USE OF NON-STANDARD, DEFECTIVE,
IMPROPER LOAD COMPONENTS, OR (5) IMPROPER OR
NEGLIGENT MODIFICATIONS OR REPAIRS TO THE FIREARM.
9
2. SAFE STORAGE &
TRANSPORTATION
WARNING: ALWAYS HAVE THE MUZZLE OF THE FIREARM
POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION AT ALL TIMES.
WARNING: FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS IF THEY ARE USED
AND/OR STORED IMPROPERLY. THEY POSE A RISK OF
SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES. FIREARMS CAN BE ESPECIALLY
DANGEROUS TO CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE STORED IN AN
IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNSAFE MANNER. FOR YOUR SAFETY
AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU
KEEP YOUR FIREARM LOCKED AND UNLOADED IN A SECURE
PLACE. THE AMMUNITION AND LOADING COMPONENTS
SHOULD BE STORED IN A SEPARATE, SECURE LOCATION
WHEN IT IS NOT IN USE. SAFE AND SECURE STORAGE OF
YOUR FIREARM IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RULES OF
FIREARM SAFETY. YOUR FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES
MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU OR
OTHERS.
ALWAYS SECURE YOUR FIREARM IN A MANNER THAT WILL
PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS. Whenever you are not using
your firearm it should be kept unloaded and locked. Your own safety
and the safety of others demands that you always secure and store
your firearm in a way that will prevent unauthorized access. Never
leave a firearm unattended unless it is unloaded, locked, and secured.
WARNING: NEVER LOCK A LOADED FIREARM AND NEVER
LOAD A LOCKED FIREARM!!
ALWAYS STORE YOUR FIREARM AND AMMUNITION AND
LOADING COMPONENTS SEPARATELY so that they are not
accessible to children or other unauthorized persons. Safe and secure
storage of your firearm, ammunition, and loading components is your
responsibility.
NEVER ASSUME THAT A “SECRET LOCATION” or “HIDING
PLACE” IS A SECURE STORAGE METHOD. Without your
knowledge others, such as children, may be aware of your storage
location or they may find it by accident. It is your important personal
responsibility to properly store your firearms, ammunition, and loading
components and to always make sure they are not accessible to
children or other unauthorized persons.
10
NEVER TRANSPORT A CHARGED OR PRIMED MUZZLELOADING
FIREARM. When transporting your firearm it must be uncharged,
unprimed and securely locked. Safe and secure transportation of your
firearm is another important aspect of your responsibility as a firearm
owner.
NEVER STORE A CHARGED OR PRIMED MUZZLELOADING
FIREARM. When storing your firearm it must be uncharged, unprimed
and securely locked. Safe and secure storage of your firearm is one of
your most important responsibilities as a firearm owner.
ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LAW! In many states and local municipalities
there are laws and regulations that make it a crime to keep a firearm
unlocked in an area that is accessible to children or others. Keeping a
firearm locked and unloaded when not in use is not only a common
sense safety practice... IT IS THE LAW. You must be familiar with all
local, state, and federal laws regarding the safe storage and
transportation of your firearm. Failure to know and follow the law may
result in unauthorized access or use of your firearm by another for
which you may be held accountable. Obey all laws relating to the
storage and transportation of firearms. Your local police department or
gun shop can provide you with the pertinent information for where you
live on storing and/or transporting a firearm safely and legally.
YOUR FIREARM IS YOUR CONSTANT RESPONSIBILITY. You must
always make sure to prevent your firearm from being stolen or from
being used by untrained or unqualified individuals. To prevent this
always keep it locked, uncharged, unprimed and secured when not in
use by you.
11
3. SAFETY RULES FOR YOUR
TRADITIONS™ MUZZLELOADER
In addition to the general Firearm Safety Responsibilities covered so
far in this manual, there are additional guidelines specific to black
powder muzzleloading firearms that must be adhered to at all times to
ensure the safety of the shooter and others.
NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE USE SMOKELESS
POWDER OF ANY TYPE OR IN ANY QUANTITY IN A
MUZZLELOADING FIREARM, AND NEVER MIX POWDERS. The
use of any smokeless powder at all could result in a detonation or
explosion which could cause injury and/or death to the shooter or
bystanders and damage to property.
NEVER USE ANY POWDER THAT YOU CANNOT POSITIVELY
IDENTIFY. The use of any mislabeled or unknown powder could result
in injury and/or death to the shooter or bystanders and damage to
property.
USE ONLY BLACK POWDER OR AN APPROVED BLACK
POWDER SUBSTITUTE IN YOUR TRADITIONS™
MUZZLELOADING FIREARM. Never use even small amounts of
smokeless powder, even if it may be black in color. The use of any
propellant other than black powder or approved black powder
substitute may cause injury or death to the shooter or bystanders and
damage to property.
UNDERSTAND THE TERMINOLOGY REGARDING LOADING.
When speaking of a muzzleloading firearm “Charge” or “Charged”
refers to the presence of a propellant powder charge and projectile in
the bore of the firearm
“Uncharge” or “Uncharged” indicates that the powder charge and
projectile have been either fired or removed and that the bore is
completely clear.
“Prime” or “Primed” applies to the act of placing a primer, cap, or
priming powder in or on a muzzleloader.
“Unprime” or “Unprimed” indicates that the primer, cap, or priming
powder has been removed from the firearm or is not in place.
NEVER SMOKE OR ALLOW BYSTANDERS TO SMOKE WHILE
USING YOUR MUZZLELOADER. The spark from a lighted cigarette,
cigar, or pipe can ignite Black Powder or a Black Powder substitute,
Percussion Caps, or Primers. Smoking around a charged and/or
12
primed muzzleloader, percussion caps, primers, priming powder or
supply of powder may cause premature firing of the firearm or an
explosion of the powder can, horn, or flask causing serious injury
and/or death to the shooter or bystanders and damage to property.
DO NOT LOAD A MUZZLELOADER WHICH IS HOT FROM
PREVIOUS FIRING. ALWAYS ALLOWS THE BARREL TO COOL
BEFORE YOU BEGIN RELAODING YOUR MUZZLELOADING
FIREARM
BEFORE YOU BEGIN LOADING, MAKE SURE YOUR
MUZZLELOADING FIREARM IS NOT ALREADY CHARGED. To
make sure the firearm is uncharged, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe
direction and insert the ramrod provided with the firearm into the bore.
If the ramrod sits approximately ¾”below the muzzle then the firearm is
not charged, while if the end of the ramrod extends past the muzzle
then it is charged and you will need to remove the charge.
WHEN LOADING, MAKE SURE THAT THE PROJECTILE IS
FIRMLY SEATED AGAINST THE POWDER CHARGE. Serious
personal injury or death can result if the projectile is not seated
properly against the powder charge. To create a simple way to check
this when loading is after you have fully seated a projectile against a
powder charge mark the ramrod as a point of reference for a properly
seated projectile.
NEVER EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM BLACK
POWDER OR BLACK POWDER SUBSTITUTE CHARGE LISTED IN
THIS BOOK. If the recommended maximum charge is exceeded then
injury or death to the shooter or bystanders can occur.
NEVER POUND ON THE RAMROD WHEN LOADING. Black powder
and/or approved black powder substitutes are potentially sensitive to
impact and could ignite from the impact of pounding on the ramrod.
Always be sure to keep the muzzle pointed away from your face or
body when loading. Place your fingers and hand around the ramrod,
and not over the end of the ramrod when seating projectile for safety.
BLACK POWDER AND BLACK POWDER SUBSTITUTES ARE
CORROSIVE BY NATURE AND LEAVE RESIDUES IN THE BORE
AND ON THE FIREARM THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE CLEANING. A
quick field cleaning should be performed just after you complete firing
at the range or hunting. A thorough in depth cleaning is required before
the storage for any amount of time to keep the firearm functioning
properly and in a safe condition. Failure to properly clean the firearm
may prevent the firearm from functioning safely and correctly and may
result in injury or death to the shooter or others or damage to property.
13
NEVER PRIME YOUR MUZZLELOADING FIREARM UNTILYOU
ARE READY TO FIRE IT. Your muzzleloader should remain unprimed
until the instant before firing. After you prime the firearm, your full
attention should be on the target and firing of the firearm.
NEVER PASS A CHARGED MUZZLELOADING FIREARM TO
ANOTHER PERSON. Once charged, a muzzleloading firearm requires
your complete attention. Never charge the firearm and then hand it to
another shooter. You should also never shoot a muzzleloading firearm
that was charged by someone else. Only the person who actually
performed the loading knows whether the firearm has been charged
properly and should fire it.
BEFORE YOU ACCEPT A MUZZLELOADING FIREARM FROM
SOMEONE, CONFIRM FOR YOURSELF THAT IT IS UNPRIMED
AND UNCHARGED. Treat all firearms as if they are loaded and will
fire.
NEVER CHARGE YOUR MUZZLELOADER DIRECTLY FROM A
CAN, HORN OR FLASK. A spark from a previous firing may ignite the
stream of powder being poured into the firearm and cause the
container to explode. The explosion of a powder can, horn or flask may
cause serious injury and/or death to the shooter or bystanders and
damage to property. Use a separate pre-calibrated measuring device
containing small quantities of powder to charge your firearm. Keep the
muzzle directed away from your face and body when loading.
WHILE SHOOTING ALWAYS KEEP SUPPLIES OF POWDER,
PRIMERS AND CAPS WELL AWAY FROM YOUR FIRING
POSITION OR SHOOTING BENCH. A powder horn, flask, can of
powder, or quantity of primers or caps can ignite with deadly force if
exposed to sparks or intense heat. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for safe handling and storage of powder, primers, or caps.
Keep unused powder, primers, or caps well away from firearms that
are being discharged. Sparks from the discharge of a muzzleloading
firearm may cause the unused supply of powder, primers, or caps to
ignite causing serious injury and/or death to the shooter or bystanders
and damage to property.
WARNING: NEVER RELY ON MECHANICAL FEATURES ALONE.
MECHANICAL FEATURES CAN FAIL AND SHOULD NEVER BE
EXCLUSIVELY RELIED UPON. ONLY YOUR CONSTANT SAFE
FIREARM HANDLING WILL ENSURE THE SAFE USE OF YOUR
FIREARM.
You must follow these procedures every time a firearm leaves your
hand, is cleaned, handed to you or another person, transported or
stored.
14
4. LEARNING THE BASICS OF THE
VORTEK STRIKERFIRE™
15
Gun Model designation on frame
Serial number marking on frame
Propellant marking on barrel
Caliber designation on barrel
16
Striker button in the “at
rest” and de-cocked
position
Striker button in the
cocked and ready to fire
position
SAFETIES INCLUDED WITH THE VORTEK
STRIKERFIRE™
Your Traditions™ Vortek Strikerfire™ break-action muzzleloader
comes equipped with dual safeties.
The first safety is an internal striker block safety that blocks the striker
from being released and hitting the primer unless the trigger has been
pulled. This prevents the striker from hitting the primer in the case of a
drop or sudden impact.
The second safety is an ambidextrous mechanical trigger block safety
that prevents the trigger from being pulled back and allowing the sear
to become disengaged. The rifle can be cocked and also de-cocked
with the trigger block safety engaged.
Trigger block safety
disengaged, red ring
is visible.
Trigger block safety
engaged, “safe”, no
red ring is visible.
17
5. FUNCTION TEST FOR THE
VORTEK STRIKERFIRE™
WARNING: ALWAYS POINT THE MUZZLE IN A SAFE DIRECTION
AND TREAT THE FIREARM AS IF IT WAS LOADED AND CAN
FIRE.
WARNING: CONFIRM THE FIREARM IS UNCHARGED AND
UNPRIMED BEFORE CONDUCTING ANY OF THE FUNCTION
TESTS.
Now that you are familiar with the parts of the Vortek StrikerFire™ a
function test can be performed on the rifle to ensure that all parts are
operating as intended. This function test should also be performed
after anytime you have disassembled the rifle for cleaning or any
maintenance.
Function testing the action
1. Open the action by
pressing on the barrel
catch lever which will
then allow the action to
pivot open.
2.
Close the action by
pivoting the opposite way
from when you opened
the action waiting to hear
a metallic click indicating
the action is locked.
18
Loading...