CO2 unloader

[TinStar]

Just a quick bit of info for guys using the CO2 unloaders as I do. I blew the load out of my trade gun yesterday after the end of the hunt. The ball and patch came out fine. When I went to clean it I noticed that the ramrod did not go in as far as it should have in an "empty barrel". So I put a worm on the end of the rod and pulled out my hard felt wad that I use over the powder and some powder came out with it. Some may blow out the barrel at the end of the day and then reload the next morning not knowing that "stuff" is still in there and could cause a problem. So always check to make sure it is all out and clear.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[roundball]

Had that same experience myself...good reminder

 

[hthomso]

Yep. You definitely need to check that it is clear. :thumbsup:

 

[TLanoy]

I was thinking of getting one of those C02 unloaders myself. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[George T.]

You will never regret buying one! I loan mine out all the time and us it too!

I am surprised that your wad did not come out. I don't use them but I will make sure to check this if I ever do.

Geo. T.

 

[TJK]

I've had the same experience, and have found it is more problem cleaning out the stuff left behind after you blow out the ball than it is to just shot out the ball after a hunt, and then clean.

However, they are great for clearing a ball that was loaded without powder.

Rio

 

[Zonie]

I think more than a few shooters who have used a CO2 ball discharger have been surprised by their next shot.

Those who didn't use a wad will notice that some black powder is usually blown out of the barrel when the discharger has blown the ball out.

What they don't realize is that black powder, once compacted by the rammed ball usually forms a big semi-solid clump and much of that clump will remain in the breech after the ball and some powder was blown out.

Of course, this means the next shot will have the full powder charge they dumped in plus whatever remained in the breech.

I suggest that after blowing out the patched ball, a fouling scraper or patch worm be run down the bore to the breech and rotated several times.

This will break up the clump and allow the old powder to be dumped from the barrel.

 

[George T.]

That is a good idea and one that can be implemented with very little additional effort or expense.

Geo. T.

 

[TLanoy]

I suggest that after blowing out the patched ball, a fouling scraper or patch worm be run down the bore to the breech and rotated several times.

This will break up the clump and allow the old powder to be dumped from the barrel.

Very good idea to eliminate any surprises! :thumbsup:

 

[TinStar]

When I blow mine out it is at the end of the day and cleaning is automatic when I get home. But this was the first time I noticed this. I think the air forced up one side of the Durofelt wad and blew by forcing out the patched ball and most(not all) of the powder.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[roundball]

To be honest, I came to realize its simpler and faster for me to just pull the load...I never unload the main until I get home anyway where I have range rods with pullers on them, and an air compressor at the ready...which always blows out the entire powder charge...and I get the benefit of reusing the ball as a range ball.

I think the tiny needle Flintlock adapter on the CO2 dis-chargers causes the problem of leaving powder in the chamber...so it ends up I only use the dis-charger at the range if I've dry balled and other people are around...and while I certainly do dry ball occasionally, its not very often so it really doesn't get used much.

 

[crockett]

Really some excellent comments. It is the black powder residue- once it is fired- that is corrosive so there is a big plus on the co2 dispenser, plus if you ever dry ball on reloading- due to excitement, etc. In any event, on the compacted powder- it's like a plug of tobacco. Even with the co2- you still need to clean up- but it is fast and easy. The wad getting bypasssed- I've never thought about that, good to know.

 

[The Hungry Hunter]

I think I will keep on doing what I always do. Shoot a dead tree. Then I will know the firearm is unloaded.

 

[Crow Beads]

Deb gave me one of these for Christmas last year. I finally got to use it today when the Lancaster got loaded without powder. No matter how smart you think you are, you will never feel more stupid than when doing that.

I really had my doubts about using the tool but hoped for the best since my patch and ball combination rather tight. The ball came out so fast I should have put a target on the wall. It was so much fun I was tempted to reload the gun without powder and do it again!

 

[AK in PA]

I use mine regularly to unload after a hunt. It DOES NOT blow out all of the powder, and the gun still needs to be cleaned, but cleaning unburnt powder is much easier than cleaning a fouled barrel. Something to keep in mind is that if you prime your pan and shoot your "CO2-unloaded" gun, you'll still get quite a bang and muzzle flash from the residual powder...enough to be lethal IMO, if such a firing occurred at point blank range in the vicinity of someone's head.