This is where the problems have crept in regarding the guns perpetrated on the public by Traditions and CVA / Winchester Muzzleloading / New Frontier ("B.P.I."). Made in Spain, the guns are proofed by a C.I.P. proof house, but to the very lowest level allowed in order to get the barrels out of the country and into Cabela's, BassPro and Wally World. That pressure level has been the 700 kiloponds per cm2 stamped right on the barrels, an archaic term that translates to a bit less than 10,000 PSI.

A proof mark stating 700kpcm2 does not mean a firearm is guaranteed to fail at a given pressure, clearly many do not. It only means that the proof house states that is the pressure they are tested to. Applying similar standards as used in many centerfires, a 7500 PSI maximum service pressure would be consistent. There are many black powder round ball loads that fall within that parameter, but clearly not today's common 3-pellet loads.

It is my opinion that it is that substandard level of testing by Traditions and CVA, that has resulted in the severe injuries I am independently aware of. Lyman Ballistic Labs data has long proved that a typical 3 pellet Pyrodex load can produce 25,000 PSI or more in frontloaders. Yet, the CIP has no requirements for the testing of Pyrodex pellets, Triple Seven pellets--in fact, no alleged "blackpowder substitutes" at all--just blackpowder values alone as shown at the link above.

The first time the muzzleloader sees this level of pressure, 250% or more of its CIP proof, is often when the consumer pulls the trigger for the very first time. Too often, a call to 911 is the result. All completely needless, these first shot catastrophic failures could easily be avoided. This is in stark contrast to the ultrasound work as published by Pedersoli of Italia, and "over 40 inspections for dimensional changes which would indicate the slightest flaw" there is no evidence that and proper quality controls are in place.

Time and time again, Traditions and CVA have been asked if their muzzleloaders have ever been tested to 20,000 PSI? 25,000 PSI? There has been no answer. Yet, they recommend loads in their inlines that exceed 25,000 PSI in their inline owner's manuals all the time. As their victims know all too well, their guns do fail, and I sadly have been privy to a portion of the carnage. The solution is a pathetically simple one: proof their guns to MAP x 1.3, which I believe would eliminate a great deal of the needless bloodshed.

It will continue as long as the American consumer allows it. They are breaking no laws, they are legally getting their cheap guns out of Spain. Once the containers hit retail in the U.S., they owe the consumer nothing. The CPSC cannot regulate firearms and the BATF does not classify them as firearms: they are "non-GCA of 1968," non form 4473 arms. The customer's only recourse is to seek compensation for personal injuries after the grievous injuries have occurred. Someone should have a big, big problem with the timing of that. I know I do.

It is not that the Spanish are incapable of producing well-tested, properly proofed product. Spanish CF double shotguns and rifles are some of the best, but quality comes at a price. Austin & Halleck used Ardessa S.A. barreled actions; however Austin & Halleck insisted on a higher level of proof than CVA or Traditions and they immediately got it. Austin & Halleck did further testing in the USA and they should be commended for taking these actions to insure consumer safety.

Savage Arms does the industry one better in the production of their Savage 10ML-II muzzleloader. Every single Savage 10ML-II is proof-tested to SAAMI center fire levels (MAP x 1.3) before it leaves their plant. It is not a mandatory SAAMI procedure, but Savage does it with all their centerfires and their muzzleloader is built to the same high standards of quality as their CF rifles. Each one undergoes live fire factory testing before leaving the plant.