quote] I have never heard of one going off while it was being loaded. I can't see how it would be possible if done in correct order. After all, the cap is placed on last.

I HAVE heard of muzzle loaders going off while being loaded!!! This is why we always load from a powder measure and NEVER pour straight in to the barrel from a horn or flask. A hot ember Could ignite the charge while loading. Now to relate the incident I do know about!! I was not present when this happened but a friend was loading his 20 ga. smoothbore, after fireing several times. He premeasured the charge, poured it down the barrel, started the patched ball (just like he had been doing for the last 35 years). When he rammed the ball home with the ram rod, the charge ignited, the ramrod wad shot out of the barrel along with the ball. Luckily he did not have his hands cupped over the ram rod or have the muzzle pionted toward him or any one else. His hands were only slightly scorched from the blast!!!! This was a flintlock, frizzen open, hammer down. Apparently the rush of air heated up the residue in the barrel enough to ignite the charge. This is a TRUE incident!!! Always load from a powder measure, never cup your hand over the ram rod, do not lean over the muzzle, keep it pointed in a safe direction!!!!If possible wait ample time between shots for the barrel to cool or swab berween shots, because it COULD happen!!!!!!!!I KNOW!!!!!!Ed