Is loading from the flask really that dangerous???

[rshveyda]

How does loading straight from the flask into the cylinders of a revolver compare to using paper cartridges? If there is indeed a spark remaining in that cylinder when you insert the paper cartridge then the powder is going to go off and that ball has to go somewhere. Should we cease using paper cartridge? Has there been a recorder occurrence of one going off this way?

I've seen lots of videos of powder cans left open and igniting from sparks from a gun being fired, as well as videos of chain fires caused by loose caps, but can't find one of an actual cook off as powder is being poured into a barrel. Not saying it doesn't happen, just not seeing it happen nearly as regularly as folks seem to think it is. I'd love to be correct if wrong.

All that said, don't load from the flask! It's not worth it considering the potential consequences, even if the odds seem to be low that it will actually happen. It's the equivalent of buying a scratch ticket in the idiot's lottery when the first prize is a messy death. Second prize is losing a eye...third prize a finger...you get the picture.

 

[S.Kenton]

I don’t load directly from a flask or horn, but do as you wish. I also don’t wear a seatbelt and somtimes drive like a mad man and nor do I wear a safety harness while in a tree stand...I’ve been driving for over 30 years and been bow hunting longer than that...

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Kind of smart ass reply to a reasonable question. If it is really that dangerous then why have they been making flask spouts w/ various volumes for 150 + years??

In war, you did not have time to be safe, cuz your life depended on speed. Today, we are duplicating our forefathers and are also more advanced on safety. Hope that helps.

 

[oldwood]

The shooting range I frequent wouldn't put up with an avoidable accident on their property. They would simply state , black powder guns are simply too dangerous to use at our facility. There would go the best of our few remaining ranges. It's not worth the risk .....oldwood.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Kind of smart ass reply to a reasonable question. If it is really that dangerous then why have they been making flask spouts w/ various volumes for 150 + years??

Don't be offended, Ames is 101 and he did not live that long without using some safety. He was blunt, but did not mean to displease anyone.

 

[rshveyda]

I don’t load directly from a flask or horn, but do as you wish. I also don’t wear a seatbelt and somtimes drive like a mad man and nor do I wear a safety harness while in a tree stand...I’ve been driving for over 30 years and been bow hunting longer than that...

I hear you. I've ridden my motorcycle without a helmet more times than my family is happy about. Life is not guaranteed safe and we each need to decide how much risk is too much to assume. But the few seconds it takes to pour powder from flask into a measure isn't too much to spend in the name of safety, IMHO.

Plus, we must remember that these are public forums and others are reading them and possibly looking for advice. I'd hate to think someone was less than careful around black powder due to something I said. But everything I've read around here so far seems to be written responsibly, which makes me proud to be a member here on Muzzle Loading Forums. I can't say that about every forum I've ever visited.

 

[firestick]

I know life is not guaranteed but after 63 years I learned not to poke fate with a stick while he is at rest.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Odds of explosion 1 in 10,000. If you shoot five hundred shots a year. Odds 1 in 20, for the year , ten years- odds 1 in 2.

 

[kemart17]

I mean I've been doing it for years from my revolvers. I understand the danger but isn't that a pretty small probability?? Your thoughts??

bad idea. always told my kids, you might get away with something 100 times, but its 101 that can change your life forever!!!!!

 

[FPDoc]

They say wisdom and good decision making is a result of previous bad decision making...if you survive. Ah those lawn darts!

Lawn Darts (Plumbata) Served the Roman Legions for centuries and provided us 50's kids with immediate feedback on our judgement, perception, decision making and martial skills.

 

[Musketeer]

How does loading straight from the flask into the cylinders of a revolver compare to using paper cartridges? If there is indeed a spark remaining in that cylinder when you insert the paper cartridge then the powder is going to go off and that ball has to go somewhere. Should we cease using paper cartridge? Has there been a recorder occurrence of one going off this way?

You could potentially have a paper ctg. go off in similar fashion, but you're dealing with a very small powder charge and a single projectile, which if not already seated inside the chamber isn't going to pose much danger, and if in the process of being seated will have the rammer and front of the revolver's frame between it and you.

 

[jime444]

It’s easy, use your flask with the proper spout to fill some small plastic or glass vials. You can buy a crapload for little cost. The proper size lets you load a revolver quickly and simply.
Inexpensive, convenient and relatively much safer.

 

[Dibbuk]

Death and mayhem are always willing to gamble with you. They know they only need to win once.

 

[Melchi577]

it depends a lot on the flask or horns construction,
if it can release the pressure by splitting or similar before it gets too much that can reduce a blast to a burn and you end up a bit singed, this has happened to friends of mine and its not fun but you walk away intact (unless of course your wearing modern synthetic clothing),
as mentioned earlier a good mechanism will reduce the chance of it happening in the first place,
also don't have more powder in it than you need.
historically people had a different perception of risk.

 

[Ames]

Look out. Now its going to break into the old discussion of weather a horn should have the end epoxied on or set in wax and pinned. Which one makes the bigger boom!

 

[TFoley]

If loading from a flask is safe why than is it not allowed at ANY shooting event NSSA or NMLA.

OR MLAIC - the international governing body under whose auspices and rules ALL international competitive muzzle-loading shooting is carried out - oh, and here in UK, the MLAGB.

 

[GANGGREEN]

I don't ever care to discourage honest discussion, but I also didn't think it was an overly smart ass reply. I mean, the gentleman came here and posted an extremely provocative argument and then seemed to take offense when people said, "nope, bad idea". I learned a long time ago that it frequently doesn't pay to ask questions that you don't want to know the answer to. And I certainly hope that the OP has taken no offense to any of the replies and reads them with an open-mind and that he continues to post and discuss things here.

Was not a smart ass reply. Wake up dude!

 

[11th corps]

I loaded my old Army's from the flask for many years. It does seem like a bad idea. Going to stop that practice.

 

[FishDFly]

Every safety rule created, was caused by an accident and most likely an injury occurred.

 

[Billy Boy]

My

I mean I've been doing it for years from my revolvers. I understand the danger but isn't that a pretty small probability?? Your thoughts??

My friend Lefty has switched to single shots. They are easier to load now....