What is the potential risk of using excessive powder in a muzzleloader?

Using excessive powder in a muzzleloader significantly increases the risk of excessive pressure, which can lead to firearm failure. Muzzleloaders are designed to operate within specific pressure limits, and exceeding those limits can cause catastrophic malfunctions such as barrel bulging, rupturing, or even exploding. This not only compromises the firearm's integrity but also poses serious safety hazards to the shooter and those nearby.

While decreased accuracy and slower loading times might seem like potential concerns, they do not compare to the critical safety risks associated with improper powder charges. Additionally, it is inaccurate to state that there are no risks involved with using excessive powder, as the dangers associated with firearm malfunctions are substantial and well-documented in muzzleloading safety guidelines.