Brass tube speed loaders

[pamtnman]

After last season's fumbling around to reload on the last day, I decided speed loaders were a necessity in my bag. Yes, the plastic tubes are pretty nice, no, I won't use them because they're not even close to 1760s-1790s. Brass tube in 5/8" with different gauge walls does offer some possibilities. Cork in each end gives powder under patched ball that is short started through the tube. Soldered end gives powder under patched ball that is tipped out or pulled out. Etc. There are options.
I'd appreciate hearing from guys who have tried brass tube speed loaders and have succeeded, or tried and failed, or didn't even bother trying, but considered it. Thank you!
--PA

 

[LRB]

Fastest re-load I've tried is a paper powder cartridge and a bullet block.

 

[Supercracker]

I kept measured powder charges in 2" long pieces of 1/2" copper tubing plugged with corks and balls pre wrapped with ticking in a small tin along with some patches for wiping between shots.

It was pretty convenient. Now I use a smoothy and just use paper cartridges.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I've never had the opportunity to need a fast reload, other than at a shooting match, and in that case the rifle had to be loaded from the horn, though the musket could use a paper cartridge.

I found that with a bullet board, and practice you are pretty quick getting a rifle reloaded, and either the deer is down or it has moved far enough away to prevent a second shot, so you should rest in place 20 minutes and then go looking for the animal.

I should add that I have only seen one time where a fellow needed a quick second shot with a muzzleloader and accomplished it... but he had a swivel breech.

LD

 

[pargent]

I use rolled paper for my speed loaders, best speed loaders since1700 .

 

[roundball]

I'd appreciate hearing from guys who have tried brass tube speed loaders and have succeeded

I have not used tubes made of brass...but have used tubes made of PVC pipe...which you could also do with brass...and since its a similar concept I thought you might like to see it.
This particular configuration has the least amount of steps and is the fastest possible reloading process I've ever used.
Pull off the muzzle mitt, hold the tube over the muzzle, and ram it all down.
(John Shorb, former owner of October Country, made them for me in .62cal)

 

[Patocazador]

How thick is the card/wad between the powder and PRB?

 

[roundball]

Its a .62cal/20ga Circle Fly Over Shot card...mics .025"

 

[pargent]

Personaly I would much rather put the end of a paper cartridge in my mouth and bite that off than put a condom in my mouth or try to bite off a piece of brass ,, seriously if one can't use their u-bute modern speed loader with one hand whilst holding the gun barrel with the other it's not a speed loader is it!. As LD pointed out you cant get much better then a powder horn and patched balls in a bullet board .

 

[roundball]

Actually, I'm not interested in your opinion of my opinion at all... :wink: ...my reply was to the OP trying to help him with his interest in using tubes as a form of reloader.
:thumbsup:

 

[RC]

OP "Yes, the plastic tubes are pretty nice, no, I won't use them because they're not even close to 1760s-1790s. "

seems the muzzle mitt wouldn't be pre 1790's either.. :surrender:

 

[roundball]

Neither is the car you drive or the hunting clothes & boots you probably wear, LOL.
If the poster had asked for general thoughts about reloading in the 1700s that would be one thing...and he didn't specify military use so paper cartridges probably wouldn't fit either...he asked about using tubes, not if they were PC/HC...that's his decision, not ours.
:thumbsup:

 

[RC]

I jst seen " no, I won't use them because they're not even close to 1760s-1790s. "

not sure what fits that time, but muzzle mitts do not..
and he didn't ask about car boots or clothes..he did specify reloading, 1760-90's
if yer gonna use the mitts,,defeats wehat he's tryin to accomplish..

 

[pamtnman]

Thank you, boys, I really appreciate your advice and guidance. You've each given me something more to consider.
It is true that I'm trying to create a relatively waterproof, robust, period-possible speed loader that will hold it all - powder, wad, ball, and be easy to use. Copper, brass, German silver, and silver tubing is one source. Bone, ivory, horn, antler is another. Paper cartridges will not hold up to my use. Says more about the rummage sale disaster going on in my possibles bag than it does about the paper quality. Paper just can't withstand that many sharp, pointy, poking implements in one place.
I'll have to experiment, and yes, Roundball, your PVC concept is close to what I'm aiming for. Just period materials.
And contrary to guys not needing a quick follow up, I've needed it when I've missed and the deer runs, then stands there 30 yards away, looking away from me, trying to determine where the shot came from.
Bullet board and continuing experiments with 5/8" brass tubing for my .54 caliber patched round ball will be my next steps.
By the way, I've killed deer with a flintlock, and each time was an utter fluke. I stood there with my mouth hanging open in amazement.

 

[Brokennock]

I agree with you on the need for quick follow ups. Never mind 30 yards, my buddy was hunting from a tree stand with his m.l. and had 4 deer come in. He missed his 1st shot and they not only didn't leave, just kinda jumped and milled around confused, one came closer, as in directly under his stand closer. He was so surprised and rattled he missed his second shot (not at the one below his feet). The one under him froze. They stayed there stone still until he fumbled his third ball and it dropped between the slats of the stand and landed on her back. She jumped out of her skin, seemed high enough to almost get in the stand with him. I lmao
Two days later back on the ground where he belonged he shot a nice 10 pointer with really thick beams. Lucky misses I guess as we're only allowed one m.l. deer.

 

[Curt]

pamtnman
why not get some river cane ,it was available way back then ,it makes a real good powder measure so with a cork in the end of it should hold your 2nd shot. most hardware stores has the cork in different sizes.the cane is fragile till it drys then its pretty tuff . Curt

 

[pamtnman]

Hmmmmm. Where would the river cane be found? It's a neat suggestion, thank you.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Don't know about your corner of the world but here in central Texas grows along most creeks & rives, even along fence lines where the roadside ditches catch a lot of rain run off. If it doesn't grow wild around your area, buy a couple old cane poles from the local bait shop and get to sawing!

 

[Cpl. Ashencheeks]

We have this type of rivercane all over California and it is considered an invasive, destructive species.

I have used this type of cane for many reasons, including musical instruments, arrows, ultralight tent poles, atlatl darts, and even plan to use it for primitive jointed topwater fishing lures.

Funny how such a destructive plant (harmful to farming) can be so useful.

Yes, it has already been mentioned it can be found in dry river beds and the edges of small water ways. It looks like bamboo but is not as strong as bamboo is.

You will find it in many thicknesses but getting the larger stalks will be harder to find for your quickloading purposes. The cane also tapers in length.

Sand it to a fine texture, and then consider heating it.

When heated, it will form a nice waxy shiny finish on the outside that looks pretty nice. Some fine spiral designs can be made by covering it when heating.

Heating it should be done carefully because the sealed sectional stalks will explode if heated too long.

Cut the small dewclaw type growth at the jointed nodes and heat it to reduce the plants threat of spreading further.

 

[Billnpatti]

A speed loader can be pretty handy. Is there any evidence to tell us when these things came into existence? Were they in use in days of yore or are they of recent invention? I am not talking about the small containers of powder carried by the men who used to shoot the matchlocks or the paper cartridges, but the reusable speed loaders such as you are planning to make.