Is loading from the flask really that dangerous???

[Mr Mortimer]

I should stay quiet, but.....

I load from a measure because it makes sense to me.
I don't blow down a smoking barrel because one of my guns has two barrels.
But the only case I can find on the web is about an incident in the late 1800's, and a few cases during the Crimean war.
Would that be because of the popularity of breech loaders (no flask) and that the relativatly few muzzle loaders use a measure?
I don' have trouble with the larger bores, but my little 32 cal is a chalenge in cold weather.
No offence intended to any or all!
Bit like discussing WD4O .

 

[azmntman]

I did it all the time before I landed her and learned why I shouldn't.. Gentlemen....I am the one of us 100's that would blow myself up. And 2020 is still too close. I'll use a measure.

 

[HavanaMax]

There are two basic aspects in risk management: probability and severity. While the probability of the occurrence (powder cooking off during reloading) may be low the potential severity is significant if a large volume of powder is in the line of fire.

It’s straight forward: low probability plus high severity equals a bad idea.

 

[Spikebuck]

I am particular whom I shoot next to.

I think this is key in this discussion....we're not talking about just physical damage to the person doing it, but possibly also to the people around him/her.

These conversations are good and its good that people ask the questions from time to time. Someone else mentioned that newbies read these forums and learn....well I was one of those at one time. When I first started I unknowingly bought a brass flask with a measured spout attached to it...from Cabela's, I think. If someone sells them, it must be OK to use it that way...right? The first time I read a conversation like this on this forum the light bulb came on. I immediately stopped that practice!

For those of you that watched and enjoyed "Sasquatch - Mountain Man" you know that he thought it was OK to carry his capper around on half cock. I wasn't surprised when the show aired that showed when he blew the end of his finger off....lucky the camera man was behind instead of in front of him.

We can never be too safe. The chances are not worth it in the shooting sports.

 

[Omhra]

There are two basic aspects in risk management: probability and severity. While the probability of the occurrence (powder cooking off during reloading) may be low the potential severity is significant if a large volume of powder is in the line of fire.

It’s straight forward: low probability plus high severity equals a bad idea.

THIS!

 

[oldwood]

Smokey , the more I watch this forum, the more amazed I am at the horn art. Very cool measure ......

 

[Flinty Scot]

Last year I watched a Youtube video where they intentionally ignited a couple of horns to test (as I recall) the glued vs. pinned end plug question.
Impressive explosions.

Didn't resolve much; shredded both horns. Lots of shards (shrapnel) & couldn't find one of the plugs.

When I started w/ BP, the old timers (I was about 12) advised to use the cupped hand/cover the ball load measuring technique, so I never loaded from the horn. Got kicked pretty solidly, though.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Smokey , the more I watch this forum, the more amazed I am at the horn art. Very cool measure ......

Thanks it wasn’t mine but I agree!

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Last year I watched a Youtube video where they intentionally ignited a couple of horns to test (as I recall) the glued vs. pinned end plug question.
Impressive explosions.

Didn't resolve much; shredded both horns. Lots of shards (shrapnel) & couldn't find one of the plugs.

When I started w/ BP, the old timers (I was about 12) advised to use the cupped hand/cover the ball load measuring technique, so I never loaded from the horn. Got kicked pretty solidly, though.

Thats how many OEME (Original Era Muzzleloading Enthusiasts) which is pronounced “Ooh-ee-mee” loaded their weapons. Even those so called “primitive peoples” knew just dumping the horn down the barrel would never give a repeatable or safe charge.

 

[deandeib]

OK guys, you convinced me. I'll be gathering up some powder measures for my new method of charging my rifle and revolver.

 

[oldhunter1954]

So for us newbies? If I remove the cylinder from my revolver and load from my brass flask on the bench I could be in trouble. I have 2 cylinders and I alternate them when loading.

 

[oldhunter1954]

Can someone please post info on "these powder measures" there talking about.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Volumetric powder measures that "everyone" is talking about: At least I am.

Deer Creek has this revolver measure and a lot of other volume measures.
Revolver Powder Measure - A1260 (deercreekproducts.net)

Knight Rifles has this combination flask with measure that is a very good combination flask and measure for rifles or smoothbores.

Muzzleloaders By Knight Rifles - How to use Black Powder Measure and Flask - Bing video

 

[Musketeer]

That Deer Creek measure is the one I use with my revolvers, along with an old CVA brass cylindrical flask (looks just like the one in oldhunter's avatar).

 

[N.Y. Yankee]

YES, IT IS THAT IMPORTANT! NEVER DO IT! I know a guy that had a flash happened to him and he was only pouring from a measure. He carried powder burns on his face for a long time. Don't know how he is now.

 

[Boatncamp]

I find some of the posts here very interesting....that some folks are so adamant / safety conscience about not using a powder flask with a measure attached yet they don't seem to care about wearing seat belts or motorcycle helmets. Just leaves me thinking about their thought processes.

I have and will use a flask with powder measure attached such as the CVA round flasks especially when loading a revolver. I only have two hands and trying to balance everything and move from flask to measure to gun I find cumbersome and where to put everything as I move from one stage of loading to the next. I also take my time. I never reload quickly. There is always time between shots. This not to say that I never use a measure, I have several. I find that they work best with the larger calibers. I will admit that I don't have the one with the swiveling funnel attached and perhaps that will be a purchase in the near future. As I have owned and shot muzzle loaders since the mid 70's I have seen things that fly in the face of this post. I remember pictures of people that had soldered pipes to the top of their powder can to facilitate pouring. There is a bomb waiting to happen IMO. I respect others views on this and understand that I am holding a bomb in my hand every time I pick up a flask or can of powder. The story of a flask going off in the blacksmith shop left me wondering what the source of ignition was. If the forge was going then it was not the place to be handling even a single paper cartridge of black powder. If it was a reload, then what were they doing inside any structure.

One last thought, where did we get our information from in the past, in the days before the internet?

 

[Pete G]

One last thought, where did we get our information from in the past, in the days before the internet?

Books...Sam Fadala, Toby Bridges, etc.

 

[Feltwad]

Plenty of information in this thread on what to do and not but how many opinions have had it actuality had it happen to them in the end it is a person choice no matter what has been advised.
Feltwad

 

[JHB]

When I see someone dumping powder from the flask down the bore I do the same thing I do when someone puts a firearm on the bench pointing some other direction than down range. Pack my things and leave. I have no intentions in staying around for the end results. Learned a long time ago some people will listen and some will argue no matter how they are told of the dangers it is in there nature. I let Darwin sort it out.

 

[SOLANCO]

Civil war artillery pieces came with a bucket and sponge mop for a reason. You'd find plenty of the same items on the gun decks of sailing vessels.
A visit to the Powder Magazine in Charleston, SC is a lesson on our ancestors' understanding of the things that can go wrong. Apparently they had met Mr. Murphy.