This category focuses on muzzleloading, the sport or pastime of firing muzzleloading firearms.

Muzzleloading refers to loading a firearm by inserting the projectile and propellant charge directly into the muzzle, as opposed to breechloading, in which ammunition is loaded into the rear of the barrel.

Muzzleloading is also the term used to describe the sport of firing muzzleloading guns. Both antique and modern muzzleloaders are used for target shooting, hunting, and historical reenactments.

Muzzleloaders can be rifles, shotguns, or pistols. They can use various types of projectiles and propellant charges.

Muzzleloaders are sometimes known as black powder firearms, frontloaders, smoke poles, flintlocks, matchlocks, caplocks, smoothbores, and percussion guns, although many of these terms refer to specific types of muzzleloaders.

"Black powder firearms" is simply a reference to its use of black powder as the propellant, "frontloaders" emphasizes the fact that they are loaded from the muzzle or front end, and "smoke poles" is a colloquial term referencing the smoke produced by the black powder when fired.

However, "percussion guns" refers explicitly to muzzleloaders that use percussion caps for ignition, and "caplock" is another term for a percussion gun.

Muzzleloaders that use a flint-striking mechanism for ignition are known as "flintlocks." Those that use a slow-burning cord, known as a match, to ignite the powder are called "matchlocks."

"Smoothbores" are muzzleloaders with smooth-bore barrels instead of rifled barrels.

The origins of muzzleloading technology date back to the 14th century, when the first hand cannons and matchlock muskets were developed. These firearms were used in hunting and warfare. By the 16th century, flintlock technology had been developed, allowing faster firing and more reliable muzzleloaders. The weapon's accuracy was further improved with the development of rifled barrels in the 18th century. Over time, further development led to percussion guns, also known as caplocks, and modern inline designs.

Muzzleloaders can use a variety of projectiles: Round Balls, Minié Balls, Sabots, and Shot. Round lead balls were commonly used in early muskets and rifles. Minié balls are conical bullets with hollow bases that expand upon firing to engage the rifling in the barrel, thus improving accuracy. Sabots are plastic or paper sleeves that encase the projectile, allowing for the use of smaller-diameter bullets in large-caliber barrels. Small pellets, used in muzzleloading shotguns, are known as shot.

The modern sport of muzzleloading began in the 1930s, as the last original users and manufacturers of muzzleloading arms were dying out, and a resurgence of interest began in the 1960s and 1970s. The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) was founded in 1933, and the Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee (MLAIC) was formed in 1970. Organized muzzleloading competitions are regularly held.

Many U.S. states have enacted extended hunting seasons reserved explicitly for hunting with muzzleloading weapons.

Demand for muzzleloaders has prompted firearms manufacturers to begin producing new muzzleloading rifles, including inline muzzleloaders with designs similar to modern breech-loading centerfire designs. Knight Rifles pioneered the inline muzzleloader in the 1980s and continues manufacturing these models. Savage Arms created the 10ML-II, which can be used with smokeless powder, although it has since discontinued production of smokeless muzzleloaders. Remington Firearms, Thompson Center Arms, and other firearm manufacturers are also producing various designs of muzzleloaders, including functional replicas of antique firearms.

Typically made from iron and wood, antique muzzleloaders are characterized by their craftsmanship, often featuring intricate engravings and ornate designs. Modern muzzleloaders prioritize functionality and are made from stainless steel, carbon fiber, and synthetic materials.

Antique firearms utilize matchlock, flintlock, or percussion cap ignition systems, while modern muzzleloaders often use inline ignition systems with primer caps or even electronic ignition.

There are several types of muzzleloading competitions today.

Rifle matches involve shooting muzzleloading rifles at various distances, often from different positions, such as offhand, prone, bench rest, kneeling, or sitting.

Pistol matches are similar, only using black powder pistols rather than rifles. These events may include timed fire and accuracy challenges.

Shotgun matches are muzzleloading competitions that may include trap, skeet, and sporting clays formats using muzzleloading shotguns.

Other muzzleloading competitions are part of historical reenactments of Revolutionary War battles.

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