Brass tube speed loaders

[don hepler]

I used brass speed loaders, that I made, long before I'd ever seen a plastic one. I took a solid piece of brass, and bored it out to my bore diameter, and beveled the front and put an internal bevel on the back. I put a patched ball in the tube first. I used a swab to remove any lube, on the inside walls, that was left behind from the patch. I loaded the powder and capped it off with a cardboard disc and tape. I modified so many versions, that I can't remember them all. Wish I'd have thought about the cork for the cap.

Then I slid off with modern guys, for a few years, until I shot a deer at 198 yards, that done it, it woke me up. Now I went all the way back to the flintlocks.

 

[crockett]

Rivercane is pretty much like bamboo. In Cherokee NC they have a city park with a stand of huge river cane. The Cherokee made blow guns out of the cane- I have one. Any cane pole used for panfish could be cut up and supply a lot of speed loaders.
On the speed loaders, as I recall the musketeers used 12 speed loaders dangling from a bandoleer (or something to that effect) so I guess they are pc. I've stuggled with what is fastest, a speed loader that you pull out the ball and wad, pour the charge, etc. or just reloading with a measure afixed to the horn. The only advantage I see on the speed loader is less equipment needs to be carried. Maybe it is just me but if you blow down the barrel, use a measure attached to the horn, and a bullet board- just about as fast as a speed loader- as I said- to me it is about reducing the amount of gear you tote along.

 

[Dean2]

I used brass speed loaders, that I made, long before I'd ever seen a plastic one. I took a solid piece of brass, and bored it out to my bore diameter, and beveled the front and put an internal bevel on the back. I put a patched ball in the tube first. I used a swab to remove any lube, on the inside walls, that was left behind from the patch. I loaded the powder and capped it off with a cardboard disc and tape. I modified so many versions, that I can't remember them all. Wish I'd have thought about the cork for the cap.

Then I slid off with modern guys, for a few years, until I shot a deer at 198 yards, that done it, it woke me up. Now I went all the way back to the flintlocks.

I saw a version of the Brass one similar to what you descibe. It fit over the end of the muzzle, just like a coned muzzzle, and you use the rammrod to push the ball, wad and powder down the bore in one smooth stroke, thought the powder drops to the bottom as soon as you slide the bottom stopper door out of the way. If you were the designer of that system I hope you patented it as it should be worth a lot of money.

 

[Cpl. Ashencheeks]

Somehow, I get the idea that a brass speedloader would just look cooler to the equipment you would be using.

With rivercane you would still have to find a way to smooth the inside of the tube.

No worries about that with a brass tube.

 

[Curt]

pamtnman Send me your address and ill send you some.Curt

 

[Brokennock]

I use bamboo and cane for premeasured shot containers and for powder measures, never had an issue with smoothness inside. And they look like they belong in the woods. (Which is great till you drop one)

 

[Dwight Rutherford]

I bet they smoked corn-cob pipes back then. Would a hollowed corn-cob work?

 

[Joel/Calgary]

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.

If nothing else, there were "speed loaders" for fowling guns in the 18th and 19th centuries. I've seen both documentation of them and photos of surviving examples. Sorta like the modern plastic ones, they were double-ended with shot in one side and powder in the other, but were made as two metal truncated cones joined at the bases, with spring-loaded caps. My impression is that they weren't all that common, that they were more for convenience than speed and an individual would only have a few to several, but that they weren't too expensive, either, so that even someone of the "middling sort" might possibly have some.

Regards,
Joel

 

[Wes/Tex]

I bet they smoked corn-cob pipes back then. Would a hollowed corn-cob work?

Most probably, though I've seen few corn cobs that were not over sized externally for the job!

 

[larry wv]

If you try corn cobs be advised that a lot of the newer hybrid corn cobs are quite a bit smaller in diameter. The older variety's are bigger, And as we all know this is not written in stone. Larry

 

[Dwight Rutherford]

You can put a corn-cob on a lathe and turn the exterior down to an acceptable OD. Then drill out the center for your load. Might look PC.

 

[robinsroost]

When I am hunting, I don't care squat about being politically, period, or historically correct. I carry three plastic test tubes, filled with pre measured powder charges, capped with a cork, and a loading block with three patched and lubed balls. I got the tubes from a local vet. He uses them to send in blood samples, from cattle, for a brucellosis test. I understand that plastic probably won't do for your application, but they made glass tubes in the 1600's.......Robin

 

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

My kids use brass tubes. We load em with a prb, grease cookie, powder, and a wooden plug. The prb and grease cookie keeps the one end sealed well enough.
The wooden plugs we make from dowels. That way they are cheap enough to just let 'em fall when reloading while hunting.
The brass tubes we get from Ace in 1/32nd inch increments. So you shouls be able to accomodate most common calibers.

 

[pamtnman]

You boys are awesome, thank you.
Really appreciate the offer!
Here in Central PA, ain't no cane. My neighbors have some non-native bamboo growing in their yards that would probably work. Since speed loaders were in use from the 1650s, originally from wood, I'd like to think the 1770s had progressed to brass. Not that I can recall seeing brass ball n' powder holders circa 1770s, but they were probably used. Brass is so much more rugged, non corrosive, and period that I've just got to try it out.
If time permits, I'll try the bamboo cane version.
I'll post some photos. And I'm working on a curly hard maple bullet board, too.
Again, thank ye men, kindly. I am much obliged t'ye