Ruger 77/50 - Manual (Page 17)

If this rifle is to be carried loaded, certain
precautions must be observed in the interest of
safety. It is safest to carry any muzzleloader
with no percussion cap on the nipple.
The gun
should never be carried with the striker resting
on a percussion cap. Under such
circumstances, a light accidental blow to the
striker can readily cause the gun to discharge.
Never cap the nipple until you are ready to
shoot the rifle. When capping, be sure that the
safety is in the “load-unload” position. After
capping, immediately place the safety in the
full-rearward “safe” position and keep it there
until you are actually aiming at a target or
game.
Only when you are immediately going to
shoot should you move the safety fully forward
to the “fire” position.
However, the safety is a mechanical device and
any mechanical device can fail. Never depend
upon this or any other mechanical device to
justify careless handling of any firearm.
Keep
the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all
times.
NEVER PUT THE STRIKER
DOWN ON A CAPPED
NIPPLE
When firing any rifle, be sure all persons are a
safe distance to the rear of the shooter. When
fired, all muzzle loaders discharge gas and
particles through the clearance gap between
the striker and the rear of the nipple. These
particles of powder grains and percussion cap
fragments are projected broadly sideways at
high speed and can injure a person who is
standing too close to the rifle. When firing any
muzzle loader, always be certain that nothing
– including either of your hands – is in the
path of the hot gas and particles which are
discharged from the top, front and sides of the
rifle. Small pieces of the percussion cap are
frequently blown away when a percussion arm
fires. Safety glasses must be used by shooters
and bystanders when loading and firing any
percussion firearm. Always wear hearing
protection when firing any firearm, in order to
avoid permanent hearing damage.
HOT GASES EXIT
NIPPLE AREA
17
!
WARNING – FIRING
!
WARNING – HANDLING
SAFETY "OFF"
CAP NOT
VISIBLE
STRIKER
UNCOCKED
CAP IS VISIBLE SAFETY
"ON"
STRIKER
COCKED