Ball discharger update

[connerm]

With new CO2 ball discharger set up in hand, I got brave and loaded a patched round ball sans powder and rammed it home. The little flintlock adapter for the co2 discharger looks a lot like the needle for inflating a football. I used my pick and felt the patch material in there. I inserted the little brass adapter as far as it would go and squeezed the lever. After holding it down for about two seconds, the ball and patch came popping out. I was able to reload the ball a total of 3 times before running out of air. Since I only had one co2 cartridge, I had to use the old standby - the ball puller. Boys, I'm here to tell you that I hope I have dug out my last ball. Though the screw-in set up works, it can't compare to the time and movement savings of using the co2. Just FYI.

 

[2172]

Luddite, I'm sure sold on 'em. A couple of times, I've had to unscrew the touchhole liner, and reach in with an awl and nudge the ball forward a bit, as it has blocked the touch hole, there being no powder to keep it a bit forward...a bit of a nuisance, but one I can put up with..I had to use mine last week, as I began to have a lock problem....Hank

 

[TwoShadows]

Good info to file Luddite.....but ah does hav a question. Iffn ya use this hyar gizmo tew git a dry ball outten a military gun....would hit be called a "dishonorable discharge"?

 

[Bald Baron]

Luddite, I purchased one of those after a fellow shooter used one on my rifle at the range one day, I'll not say why it had to be use. Another day while cleaning I lost a patch and could not retrieve it. I blew it out very easily with the co2 discharger. Last week I went into a bicycle shop and noticed they had them for sale to use on 4 wheelers. They carried several co2 canisters of different strength, before I had believed they were all alike. Any way, I now have a box of 12 cheap ones that I hope I never have to use unless its to help some other shooter out. Wally World sells them cheap for paint ball guns.
Bald Baron

 

[steved]

Good info, guys.

Luddite, did you end up getting the ball dicharger from Cabelas? There's no substitute for product testimonials.

 

[connerm]

Bought the ball discharger from Thunder Ridge Muzzleloading - along with some other supplies. I'm cooling off from ordering so much from Cabelas. Last two orders I had to send back due to serious quality issues. I'm also into braintanning, center fire hunting, reloading, primitive archery and flintknapping. I've tried to make it a point to send my business to smaller specialty outfits.

Back to the ball discharger. I am a factory trained Schwinn bicycle mechanic (20 years ago) and I was familiar with a product called Spair which was exactly the same thing as the ball discharger. In fact, the standard fitting that comes with the ball discharger fits Schraeder type valves - the kind on bike, auto, and truck tires. It came packaged with a percussion nipple adapter, but I had to buy the flintlock adapter separately.

 

[steved]

Thanks. I'll check out Thunder Ridge. I need to add a ball discharger to my range box before my next...I mean before I end up loading a dry ball.