[header] How to clean a muzzleloader [title] Make sure the firearm is unloaded. [step] You can do this by pulling back the bolt of the gun and checking for a ball and powder, or tilting the gun forward at a 45 degree angle. If you're using a traditional muzzleloader ball as ammunition, it will roll out the front of the barrel. 
Never try to look down the barrel to see if there is a ball and powder in the firearm. [substeps] Attempting to clean any type of loaded gun could result in serious injury or death.