Abstract: A muzzle loader firearm having a primer cavity that is sized to have an interference fit with a desired primer, to be received therein, so that an outwardly facing surface of the exterior casing of the primer, upon being discharged, expands and forms a fluid tight seal with an interior surface of the primer cavity to prevent the escape of any significant gases therebetween. The firearm is provided with a small head space which only allows minor rearward movement of the primer, upon being discharged within the primer cavity, to maintain an adequate fluid tight seal, formed between the outwardly facing surface of the primer casing with the inwardly facing surface of the primer cavity. To facilitate an increased temperature of the primer charge, upon being discharged, the primer cavity communicates with the ignition bore via an oxygen recess that is sized to accommodate a desired quantity of oxygen to facilitate a more rapid and hotter burning of the primer charge.

Abstract: A scope mounting system comprising a pair of scope ring assemblies, each having a clamp mechanism for clamping a desired scope thereto, and a pair of scope bases. Each scope ring assembling has a female dovetail slot for releasably mating with a male dovetail protrusion provided on a mating scope base. The scope base also including a mechanism for releasably attaching the scope base to the barrel of a desired firearm. The scope base includes a recoil stop for preventing forward axial sliding movement of the scope ring assembly relative to the scope base upon discharge of a firearm incorporating the present invention. Each scope ring assembly may also be provided with a mating recess for cooperating with and abutting against the recoil stop of the scope base.

Abstract: A rifled muzzle loader barrel having a cylindrical counterbored muzzle end with the counterbore having a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter defined by the rifling and substantially equal to an outer diameter of a slug of the desired calibre for that barrel and also being of a length sufficient to facilitate proper alignment of an appropriate calibre slug as it is inserted into the muzzle end of the barrel. The invention also relates to a slug loading tool for facilitating loading the muzzle loader and gas exhaust holes for creating a force opposing a recoil force of the barrel upon being discharged.

Abstract: A breech assembly for a muzzle loader. A breech block is fitted into the gunstock and receives the barrel. The breech block includes a first bulkhead disposed over the barrel breech end and has a first bore with an axis parallel to the barrel axis. The breech block includes a second bulkhead spaced from the first bulkhead creating a space there between. The second bulkhead has a second bore in axial alignment with the first bore and the breech block includes a vertically disposed chimney bore communicating between the bottom of the space and the outside atmosphere. A nipple is disposed in the bore facing the space and has a third bore sized to releasably receive a percussion cap. The nipple has a fourth bore communicating between the bottom of the third bore and the barrel interior. A cylindrical sliding sleeve is disposed within the second bore and is slidable between closed and retracted positions.