What are muzzleloaders?

Muzzleloaders are firearms that are loaded from the muzzle, or front end, of the barrel, rather than from the breech. They typically use black powder or its modern substitutes as propellant and require the shooter to manually load the projectile and powder into the barrel for each shot. Common types of muzzleloaders include rifles, shotguns, and pistols, and they are often used in hunting and historical reenactments. Muzzleloading is also a popular shooting sport, with specific competitions and events dedicated to it.