If the training manuals contain most of the detailed technical information, then I question just how much of that same information can be crammed into a video and still be entertaining enough to hold the young viewer's interest.
I have no idea about the length of the video, but I do think that it should be
fun to watch and interesting enough to hold people's attention.
People should be rapidly shown about loading, shooting and cleaning the major types of muzzle loaders each using a different type of projectile while focusing on various methods and some of the unique safety problems and peculiarities of using each. Not showing all of these for every gun, but using different guns as quick examples.
For instance, there's at least 2 different kinds of cleaning methods, i.e. - one involving water and another involving solvents.
There's 3-4 major types of projectiles.
There's several major types of primers.
There's a few major powder types and then there's pellets and loose forms. Does using real BP present unique hazards?
The use of cappers and powder measures.
How to properly use some of the major accessories like a flask, different kinds of starters/tips for different projectiles, wads, nipple picks, breech plug grease, ramrods, and how some of the ramrod attachments work.
The purpose and use of a possibles bag.
The focus should not just be on function but also on safety and how to make shooting muzzle loaders easier.
Be sure to show them to always wear safety glasses!
I use some tools and trinkets that make loading and cleaning easier for me.
For instance, I use a mallet and a longer short starter so loading tight sabots is easier. Lots of folks at the range struggle with loading partly due to shooting heavy powder charges.
I also use a small funnel in my bore when I drop the powder. When the funnel is in, I know the powder still needs to be added. Once it's removed I know that it's been charged and is ready for a projectile to be loaded. Something like that doesn't need to be mentioned, but if it was shown in just one gun loading sequence, it would provide an example for some about how to prevent spilling their loose powder when they load it.
And that also reminds me about teaching proper incremental load development.
And also for those inclined, the basics of loading a shotgun. The use of over shot cards for shot loads to keep the load secure in the barrel is something that needs to be understood, as is when a lead conical/minnie becomes looser after it's loaded in a rifled bore. If the muzzle is pointed down and the load is loose in the breech, then dangerous air space in the breech can result.
There's always some controversy over how safe it is when the hammer is placed on 1/2 cock when hunting.
Is a cap cover required?
What should be cautioned about having a gun capped while hunting on 1/2 cock?
The importance of marking ramrods to test loaded guns and to prevent double loading.
How to keep the bore of caplocks oil free, clean and properly maintained.
How to handle sidelock misfires by putting a pinch of powder under the nipple, or using a CO2 discharger.
Should black powder be neutralized before pulling a ball?
Should the average person even attempt to remove a breechplug on a sidelock rifle to remove a stuck ball?
Someone was recently killed when they used a torch to a remove a stuck breech plug on a gun that they had found and which was unknowingly still loaded.
You need to make life safer and easier for new shooters by preparing them well.
Because of the popularity of inlines, I would imagine those would be a major focus. They need to swab between shots or they can't properly seat the sabots.
There's a growing popularity of black powder revolvers that brings a whole host of safety, loading & cleaning issues with them.
Also single shot pistols and simply showing how a loading stand is helpful.
Video has a great potential to show so many things in a brief flash of time. Pictures are worth 1000's of words just like in this post right? Some details don't need to be dwelled on. If the video is fast moving it captures people's attention, and some items only need to be shown for a second or two to have an impact and provide an example.
I would urge that the video not have too slow of a pace, but a quick one to show as many different types, ideas and examples as possible. And always with the focus on what's different about each while answering the question, "What is it about this particular type of muzzle loader that creates a unique and different set of safety, loading and shooting concerns?"
The dry details can always be looked up in the course book. Try to supplement the course book with practical and useful information.
It's sounds like a challenging task that you're about to embark on and I certainly don't envy you!
Good luck!
or the care and feeding of a plastic stock.
Sorry, couldn't resist, but times have changed. :banghead:
