Loading a revolver from flask or powder measure?

In some books, loading a revolver from the powder flask is a big no-no. In other books they show photos doing just that. How do you proceed?

 

[Stumpkiller]

It works, and has been done that way since Sam Colt's time, but if there is an ember in the cylinder and the flask explodes you'll be standing there looking foolish while fragments of your hand rain down through the burnt eyebrow smoke. Why risk it? I use a 9MM brass case with a brazed on coat-hanger wire handle to load my .36 Navy. Holds just the right amount of powder and is easy to manouever into place.

 

Flask. Chances of an ember are next to nill. (what's a nill anyway?)
If you're worried about an ember wait a minute or two before reloading and you can always look down the six chambers. And for the love of Pete make SURE you fired them all first!
With flask with a, say 30 grain spout, should there be an ember the 30 grains are going to go and it's unlikely the flask would go with it.
Still you should do what you feel safe with.
I've seen guys at the range shooting a revolver right next to an open can of powder.
If you see such an event, don't be a bit bashfull about telling the person how dangerous that is to himself and others. You might save his bacon AND someone elses. :nono:

 

[Stumpkiller]

With flask with a, say 30 grain spout, should there be an ember the 30 grains are going to go and it's unlikely the flask would go with it.

Mine always crunch a bit of powder in the little flap gate, and half the time the spring lacks the strength to close it fully. I have loaded from flasks (why else would they sell measured tips?), but still feel it's not a good habit.

Do as I say, not as I do.

 

[musketman]

I pour from the flask to a measuring devise, then to the chambers, it is better to have a scorched finger than a blown apart body...

It only takes one glowing ember to set it off, what are your fingers worth to you? Assuming you live through the fragmented brass shrapnel that was once your flask...

Not trying to scare anyone, but powder horns, flasks and whole kegs have blown up before, it goes with the territory...

Homemade M-80 using FFFg results, CAUTION: GROSS IMAGE (you've been warned)

I only added this link to show you what could happen with just a small amount of powder, now imagine what a full powder horn or flask will do!!!

All firearms and propellants must be treated with respect and caution...

 

[JeffS]

I have shot hundreds if not a thousand or so, rounds thru cap and ball revolvers. Every last one of them was loaded from a flask, with a pre-measured spout on it. Never gave the flask a second thought. To be honest, the only reason I use a powder horn to pour into a measure with my muzzle loader is cause I think horns are more period. The flask with measured spout has been a great set up for me.

All this, my very humble opinion, and my first post here. Be gentle...

 

been loading from a flask for over 30 years...common sense and caution go a long way...

Vic

 

[musketman]

Still, the Colt Patterson flask has five drop tubes at once...

Now I do use the baby flask for holding my priming powder, I really like it for that...

 

[hawkeye2]

Musketman thanks for the image, we should always remember it. The safest policy is to never pour powder from a container to a firearm, always transfer it in another devise that holds a single charge. If it can happen it WILL happen!Hawkeye2

 

[musketman]

I agree, if I had to choose, I would rather have a 100 grains of powder go off near my hand than a 7000 grain container... :shocking:

Loading the next shot is one of the most critical parts of muzzleloading, I'm sure that many charges went off during the loading process in the Civil War, they didn't take a time out to wait for glowing embers to burn out in the heat of battle...

 

Musketman thanks for the image, we should always remember it. The safest policy is to never pour powder from a container to a firearm, always transfer it in another devise that holds a single charge. If it can happen it WILL happen!Hawkeye2

I agree if your RELOADING , with a cold (clean) gun it doesn

 

[crockett]

I started out loading from a flask because a lot of pictures showed it being done that way. I never had a problem. I always use a measure with a rifle. One day I asked myself what is the difference? After that I no longer loaded from a flask. I shoot a 1851 Colt Navy Replica, 36 caliber. I use 18 grains of FFFg black powder, weighed. DO NOT weigh a black powder substitute as it is a volumetric only equivalent and as I understand matters weights of the substitute can vary from various production runs. In weighing the charges I feel I get the best accuracy. I use a wonder wad and round ball. The balls are seated about 1/16" below the end of the cylinder and I put a mark on the ram to insure even seating. From a rest I can get about an inch and a half groups, MOST the time at twentyfive yards if shooting from a rest. This is about as good as a lot of modern day pistols.
I have made up a batch of paper tubes with covers, each tube holds one powder charge. You could probably use old cartridge cases and corks. If I want to shoot fifty rounds, I fill fifty tubes. The tubes can be reused. I store them in a plastic box and use tissue paper to keep them from moving around. Good luck.