Muzzleloader Terms & Glossary
A muzzleloader is a rifled firearm that has the projectile loaded into the muzzle or forward open end of the gun barrel. Rifling means that the barrel has grooves cut into it in a spiral pattern that spin the bullet to stabilize it better. The muzzleloader is distinct from modern rifles, which are typically breech-loading firearms. Muzzleloaders are also referred to as black powder rifles, since they generally use black powder in contrast to the smokeless powders used in regular gun ammunition.