Exactly.
How do you load your muzzleloader?
- Thread starter Larry (Omaha)
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Bill Bryan
40 Cal.
I've never had any trouble loading my flintlock rifle holding it between my legs. My problem has been loading my flintlock pistol. I finally gave in years ago and built a loading stand. Bill
Shooting from a bag I keep the bag and horn on my right side. Set to rifle on my left foot and hold it with my left hand right at the muzzle. I have long fingers so I can still use my left hand fingers to hold my measure while pouring powder with my right hand. Then place patch over muzzle and set ball with my right hand, hold with LH fingers while I start it, then gather patch material with LH, cut with RH, and seat ball. Sounds more difficult than it really is unless you have short stubby fingers!
I must admit that I modernized it, as I carry 2 or 3 speed loaders that are prepped with a round ball and a charge, And all I have to do is take the Off one end, pour the powder down the barrel and use my short starter to drive the ball on down. I place a felt separator between the powder and the ball So that the powder doesn't contaminate. If it's flintlock, I carry one of them handy dandy brass quick chargers around my neck, and if it's percussion, I carry a Ted cash brass capper around my neck. I do carry that possible sack with the Short starter, some powder and a few balls in case things get interesting. When I'm carrying the flintlock, I have a couple of spare flints and a little flint hammer. My pocket knife,( which is one of those handy dandy Swiss combos), Takes care of the odds and ends. Using these speed loaders, means I can operate with one hand supporting the barrel and using that same hand to guide the speed loader while the other hand does the rest.
Squint
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I have loaded my rifles from the bag and cartridge box. While at my R/P club, the long rifle leans against the shooting bench while I load from the bag. Woods walk is just a little different
Bag, rifle, powder. Old school.
I don't have a local shooting club, but do shoot with a rendezvous club several times a year. All shoots are directly from the bag, regardless of the firearm.
For the local range (the only one in my area that has a few benches where you can still shoot off-hand) I have a V-notch board that clamps to the side of the shooting bench, and a board wrapped in old carpet to rest the butt on. The shooting range is a mix of concrete and weathered asphalt. The bottom board is mandatory unless you like to scratch your butt plate on concrete and weathered asphalt.
For the local range (the only one in my area that has a few benches where you can still shoot off-hand) I have a V-notch board that clamps to the side of the shooting bench, and a board wrapped in old carpet to rest the butt on. The shooting range is a mix of concrete and weathered asphalt. The bottom board is mandatory unless you like to scratch your butt plate on concrete and weathered asphalt.
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Have been known to take a carpet square to the range when shooting round ball.
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When not shooting round ball things might get a little involved.
gunnyr
40 Cal
The facts of getting older , walk slow drink a lot of water and sit whenever you can.At my old age, I like to sit too. Don't think that would work for me with my 45" barrel.
Thanks for the reply.
Larry
gunny
Johnny Tremain
Silversmith in training
Dang my Virginia rifle has a 42 inch barrel, and my arms aint long enough to load sitting down.
I sting my heel to the toe of the rifle butt, that way both hands are free to load.
I sting my heel to the toe of the rifle butt, that way both hands are free to load.
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Ditto
Our club has benches with thick plywood tops. I made a U-shaped contraption with a notched board on top, and underneath is an eyebolt going through a captured nut so I can clamp it to the bench. I never lean my rifles against anything and hope for the best. I secure them.
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And what do you do when your out walking the woods with no support close?
I prefer KISS like others here, and like others I don't like the butt on the ground (assfault, dirt, rocks, mud, snow) so I set it on foot.
I have shot at a few different public ranges, never had need on complicating it BUT out on public land I found tossing an old blanket on the ground helps, recently picked up a cheap saddle blanket and it works real well
I have shot at a few different public ranges, never had need on complicating it BUT out on public land I found tossing an old blanket on the ground helps, recently picked up a cheap saddle blanket and it works real well
I do the same, left foot, crook of left arm, load and seat away from me. Done it for years.
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Butt rests on the ground ,or at the range , on a drink coaster on the concrete. Hunting buddy cuts out these flat , thick leather rings , w/hole big enough to fit over the muzzle of my rifle , and the ring , is attached w/ lanyard to my shooting bag strap. that leather gizmo holds the gun vertical w/both hands to load , or in my case , "dry ball" the rifle if I forget the powder. When loaded , flip the leather ring from the muzzle of the rifle and shoot. ....oldwood
On the range or in the woods, Powder, Patch, Ball
