Traditions Yukon User Manual

I M P O R TA N T !

T h o r oughly read and

understand all of the

i n s t r uctions and warnings

in this manual BEFORE using

your Traditions fire a r m.

If you do not understand any aspect

of this manual seek black powder

f i r e a r m instruction from a qualified,

p r ofessional instructor BEFORE you

handle, load or use this fire a r m .

Muzzleloader Owner’s Manual

Traditions Performance Firearms

1375 Boston Post Road

P.O. Box 776

Old Saybrook, CT 06475

www.traditionsfirearms.com

email:

[e-mail]

YUKON Manual.qxd 6/22/06 10:11 AM Page 1

YOUR MUZZLELOADING RIFLE

Congratulations on your purchase of the new

Traditions YUKON™Drop-

Breech 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 new

Traditions YUKON™Drop-Breech Muzzleloader.

is easy to
load, shoot and clean. The slide action button is on the side of the receiver
for ease in opening. The extended hammer has an ambidextrous spur for left
or right hand shooting. You simply need to unscrew the spur and switch it to
the appropriate side of the hammer. The solid aluminum ramrod has an
extended jag that can be reversed and attached to make the ramrod full
length for easy loading and cleaning.

IMPORTANT!

A person using any firearm has elected to take on an enormous
responsibility. This manual contains instructions, cautions and dangers
for the safe enjoyable use of your Traditions muzzleloader. Shooting a
firearm is a serious endeavor. These instructions and precautions
should always be followed during each shooting session.

CAUTION:

If you sell, trade or give this rifle to another person, be sure to

give the new owner a copy of this manual. Copies of this manual are

available free of charge from

Traditions Performance Firearms.

Call 1-800-526-9556, or fax [phone]

or email us at [e-mail]

FOR YOUR RECORDS

I m p o rtant: Please re c o rd information here and keep for your re c o rd .

Model No. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Serial No. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Model Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
C a l i b e r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Date Purc h a s e d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
F r o m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Registration Card mailed on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

CAUTION: Please read and

understand all information in

this booklet before using your

new Traditions firearm. If all

safety information is not read

and the WARNING, CAUTION and

IMPORTANT statements are not

understood, death or injury

could result.

Please call Traditions Customer Service Department at

1-800-526-9556 with any questions or concern s .

YUKON Manual.qxd 6/22/06 10:11 AM Page 3

TABLE OF C O N T E N T S

I . THE SPORT OF MUZZLELOADING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

I I . GENERAL SAFETY RULES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

I I I . MUZZLELOADING MUSTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

I V. WA R R A N T Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

V. MAKING SURE YOUR MUZZLELOADER

IS UNLOADED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

V I . SAFETIES INCLUDED WITH

YOUR MUZZLELOADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

V I I . D I S A S S E M B LY & ASSEMBLY

OF MUZZLELOADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

V I I I . IGNITION AND BREECH PLUGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

I X . P R E PARING TO LOAD AND LOADING

A MUZZLELOADING SHOTGUN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

X . PRIMING YOUR MUZZLELOADER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

X I . DECAPPING AFTER FIRING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

X I I . HANGFIRES & MISFIRES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

X I I I . REMOVING THE PROJECTILE (SHOT)

AND POWDER CHARGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

X I V. SIGHTING IN AND SCOPE MOUNTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

X V. RECOMMENDED LOADS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

X V I . CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

X V I I . HELPFUL MUZZLELOADING ACCESSORIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

X V I I I . WARRANTY CARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

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 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.

Traditions conveniently engraves the caliber, serial number and model name
on each barrel. 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 1-800-526-9556, 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!

1-800-526-9556

Important: All firearms must have a factory issued
Return Merchandise Authorization number (RMA#)
before returning to Traditions for warranty service.

YUKON Manual.qxd 6/22/06 10:11 AM Page 5

D E S C R I P T I O N

YUKON Drop-Breech

Muzzleloader

A Rear Sight Base (Round)........................................ 50613

B Elevator Base.......................................................... 50614

C Rear Sighting Blade ..........................................50615-LU

D Luminous Insert ....................................................50606

E Windage Adjustment Locking Screw......................50624

F Elevation Adjustment Locking Screw ....................50616

G Hex. Nut (2)............................................................50618

H Rear Sight Mounting Screw (2)..............................50622

YUKON Drop-Breech

Muzzleloader

D E S C R I P T I O N

A Stock (AW Composite) (Finished)..........FCS40101 Y Stock Insert ..............................................40606

B Ramrod Retaining Spring Screw ..................21817 Z Hammer Guide........................................400029

C Ramrod Retaining Spring ..........................400030 AA Hammer ......................................................4002

D Barrel Assembly (Kit) (Length 24") ........................ BB Hammer Handle ......................................710004

.50 cal. perc. (twist 1-28") ..................C-400034-B CC Hammer Mainspring..............................M10018

Barrel Assembly (Finished) (Length 24") .............. DD Hammer Antagonist Spring ..................M10017

.50 cal. perc. Blued (twist 1-28") ............FB400034 EE Trigger ........................................................1003

E Plug Screw (4) ............................................26029 FF Trigger Guard............................................10027

F Lite Optic Rear Sight ..............................50610-LU GG Trigger Guard Spring ............................M71015

G Lite Optic Front Sight..............................50611-LU HH Pin ............................................................71000

H Ramrod Thimble ....................................440032-P II Trigger Guard Screw ................................10021

I Ramrod Thimble Screw..............................400031 JJ Hammer Pin..............................................10031

J Hexagonal Br eech Plug (S/S) ..................7200099 KK Trigger Pin ................................................10025

K Breech Block ................................................40005 LL Safety Pin ..............................................710029

L Firing Pin Spring ..........................................71011 MM Safety ......................................................710032

M Firing Pin ......................................................40007 NN Pistol Grip Cap..........................................50104

N Firing Pin Washer ........................................40016 OO Pistol grip Cap Screw ..............................50105

O Frame (Aluminum)(Blued)............................40004 PP Sling Swivel Stud-Rear ............................37013

P Frame nut ....................................................60122 QQ Buttpad ....................................................60126

Q Breech Block Release Spring........................40012 RR Buttpad Screw (2) ....................................20634

R Breech Block Release Button........................40010 SS Ramrod 28" (Aluminum)......................M120030

S Breech Block Release Pin ............................40014 TT Ramrod Tip .50 Cal (Aluminum)..........M100028

T Sling Swivel Stud – Front nut ......................60122 UU Ramrod Assembly ..................................120011

U Sling Swivel Stud – Front ............................37122 VV Hexagonal Wrench..................................720029

V Trigger Guard Pin ........................................40013 WW Wrench Handle ......................................400033

W Frame-Barrel Screw (2)................................10060 XX Allen Wrench ..........................................M1005

X Frame Screw ................................................40012

Lite Optic Rear Sight

Ref. 50610-LU

Lite Optic Front Sight

Ref. 50611-LU

A Front Sight Base (Round) ................M50611-LU

B Luminous Insert ........................................36613

C Front Sight Mounting Screw ......................50623

YUKON Manual.qxd 6/22/06 10:11 AM Page 7

N O T E S

1

I. 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.

YUKON Manual.qxd 6/22/06 10:11 AM Page 9

2

II. GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WARNING!

This muzzleloader, like other fire a r ms,

is potentially a lethal weapon that can cause

serious injury, death or damage to pro p e r t y

if handled impro p e r l y.

F i r e a r ms safety is YOUR re s p o n s i b i l i t y !

T h e r e is no such thing as a “safe” or

“ f o o l p r oof” fire a r m, as fire a r ms, by their very

n a t u r e, are inherently dangerous.

Handling your Traditions fire a r m safely

depends on YOU! Handled safely, your
f i r e a r m will give years of shooting enjoyment.
Handle it care l e s s l y, and YOU will put yourself

and everyone around you in danger of serious

i n j u r y or death. Safety must be the first,

f o r emost and constant consideration of

e v e r yone who handles a fire a r m. When

handling a fire a r m, you cannot guess, you

cannot forget, you cannot allow yourself even

a momentary lapse of attention or good

judgment, or irreversible tragedy may re s u l t .

3

RULES OF FIREARMS SAFETY

1. Treat all fire a r ms as if they were loaded, at all times.
Many accidents occur with fire a r ms that are handled
c a r e l e s s l y, because they are believed to be
“unloaded”. These accidents can be avoided by
handling all fire a r ms the same way you would handle
a loaded fire a r m, at all times. Even after you verify
that a gun is unloaded, you should continue handling
it as you would a loaded gun, and make sure that
others around you do the same.

2 . Point the muzzle in a safe direction at all times. A

“safe direction” is one in which, if the fire a r m were to
d i s c h a r ge, there would be no injury to anyone. Never
point a gun (whether you think it is loaded or
unloaded - see Rule #1 above) directly at another
person or at yourself. Consider that a bullet can
ricochet (glance off) pavement, floors, walls, ro c k s ,
the ground, water, ice or almost any other object it
strikes. Also, bullets can penetrate walls, ceilings,
floors, doors, windows, and many other materials to
kill or injure someone on the opposite side.

3 . Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the

trigger guard until you are aimed at a proper targ e t
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. By keeping your
finger outside the trigger guard until you are on
t a r get and intend to fire, you ensure that you will
never hit anything you do not intend to.

YUKON Manual.qxd 6/22/06 10:11 AM Page 2

4

4. Be sure of your target, and what is around and
beyond it. The bullet fired from your rifle can
travel over one mile, and has the potential to kill
or seriously injure someone at that distance!
Once you pull the trigger, you cannot call the
bullet back, so you must positively identify your
target before you fire. Never fire (for instance, at a
noise, a movement, a rustling bush, or a shape in
the dark) until you have positively identified your
target as something you intend to shoot. Fire only
with a safe backstop behind your target ­something that will stop and contain the bullets
you fire, even if you miss the target or your bullet
passes through it.

5. 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
responsibility, so YOU must check it yourself,
NOW, not later. Do not rely on someone else to
check it. Do not take someone else’s word for
the firearm’s condition. Do not rely on your
memory of having checked the firearm previously,
or on your belief that you left it unloaded the last
time you used or handled it. Check it again
yourself now.

6. 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. If you need to open
the action of a firearm with which you are not

5

familiar, don’t experiment, lest you make a fatal
mistake! Instead, ask someone who knows how
to handle the firearm to open the action and allow
you to verify that it is unloaded. If you can’t find
someone who knows how to handle the firearm,
leave it alone!

7. Firearms should be unloaded when not actually
in use. Load your firearm only when you are on
the target range or in the field and ready to begin
using it. Unload your gun as soon as you are
finished shooting. Unload your gun before you
bring it back into your car, camp or home.
Never leave a loaded gun unattended, even for
a moment.

8. Thoroughly read and understand the owner’s
manual and other literature supplied with your
firearm. Never use any firearm unless you
completely understand how it operates and how
its safety features work. Contact Traditions if you
have any questions or concerns, or if you are not
certain you have all the literature supplied with
the firearm at the time it was first sold. Even if
you understand everything in this manual, no
manual can provide you with the benefits of
hands-on firearms instruction. 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 [phone]), gun clubs and ranges,
gun shops, shooting schools and other qualified
sources of instruction.

5

YUKON Manual.qxd 6/22/06 10:11 AM Page 4

6

9. 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.

10. Always wear high-quality ear and eye protection
when shooting or observing, and be sure that
others who are present do the same. Exposure to
gunfire noise will cause permanent hearing loss
(deafness) if good ear protection (either
commercially manufactured ear plugs, earmuff­type hearing protectors, or both) is not worn.
Close-fitting, impact-resistant shooting glasses or
safety glasses of wraparound or side-panel design
help to guard against potentially blinding eye
injuries caused by granules of powder, splashback
of fragments from the target or backstop, metal
fragments which can result from a burst primer,
etc. Never shoot a firearm, or allow yourself or
others to be present where shooting is in
progress, without both eye and ear protection in
place. Eye protection can also provide important
protection while you are disassembling and
cleaning your firearms, both from flying firearms
parts, and from aerosols and other solvents and
cleaning fluids that can spray or splash into your
eyes, causing serious eye injury.

11. Firearms, drugs and alcohol don’t mix! Never
handle firearms while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs (including prescription
medications) that can impair your normal senses,
abilities, alertness, reflexes, perception or
judgment. Make sure everyone in your presence
follows the same rule. Also, avoid handling

6 7

firearms when you are ill, exhausted, upset or
preoccupied with other concerns - safe firearms
handling requires your full attention, and all of
your abilities, unimpaired by other factors.

12. Any firearm which is not under your direct control
should be stored so it is inoperable or
inaccessible to children and other unauthorized
users. Children are attracted to, and can find, load
and operate firearms, causing serious injury or
death to themselves and others. Preventing child
access and tragic, avoidable accidents is YOUR
responsibility, as an adult gun owner. The safest
way to store firearms is unloaded, locked in a gun
safe or vault.

7

YUKON Manual.qxd 6/22/06 10:11 AM Page 6