You are shooting a muzzleloader. A hang fire happens. What should you do?

When experiencing a hang fire while shooting a muzzleloader, keeping the gun pointed downrange is the appropriate course of action. A hang fire occurs when there is a delay between the ignition of the primer and the firing of the projectile. During this time, it is crucial to maintain control of the firearm in a safe direction to prevent an accidental discharge that could harm yourself or others.

Pointing the gun downrange allows you to safely manage the situation by ensuring that if the shot were to go off unexpectedly, it would be directed away from people and structures. This practice emphasizes safety as the top priority when handling firearms, particularly in scenarios involving potential malfunctions.

Unloading immediately may not be safe or practical as it could involve mishandling the firearm, while looking down the barrel is extremely dangerous since it could lead to serious injury if the gun discharges. Firing again quickly is also not advisable, as it does not address the potential risk associated with a hang fire and could further complicate the situation. Thus, keeping the gun pointed downrange effectively mitigates these risks.