Shooting a muzzle loader from the left shoulder ?

**Willie Barnard** · 02-12-2011, 10:52

I need some advice from the more experienced black Powder shooters. As posted elsewhere, a group of us are busy doing unit standard 243200 - handle and use a Muzzle loading firearm.

In the manual there are instructions about how to determine a shooters dominant eye. This is exactly the same as in the other manuals (rifle, Shotgun Handgun).

However nowhere in the manual does it specifically state that a shooter should shoot a MUZZLELOADER from the shoulder of the dominant eye.

I have a problem with shooting a flintlock from the left shoulder. IMHO the shooter would be setting himself up for serious burns to the right arm, and even the face. Even when shooting a percussion rifle, there is a chance of bits of the percussion cap injuring the shooter when shooting from the left shoulder.

Please advise me, Mic, Sands, Smokepole and anybody else with experience. Am I overcautious, or is there a danger?
Next question - How available are muzzle loaders made for lefthanders? I have never seen any.

**THOMAST** · 02-12-2011, 11:04

If ever there was good reason to wear protective eyewear, this would be it.
I know Lyman have some left handed models.

**richardtl** · 02-12-2011, 14:00

If you look on the Grehunt website you will see the various LH models they have.

**Klein Chris** · 05-12-2011, 08:14

Get hold of a flash cap (flint&musket or classic arms should have). This will prevent your right forearm from being burned but please wear protective eye-wear as suggested by Thomas since particles from the percussion cap will be flying.

I'm a lefty and when occasionally firing a friend's flint lock I do it from the right shoulder

According to the Lyman web site they have left handed models available in both percussion and flint lock but I have not seen any left handed flint locks

Being left handed is a good excuse to get a ambidextrous inline