Long loading funnel?

[Al Bently]

I just watched a video where the shooter used a very long funnel (perhaps 24" or longer) to load his muzzleloader from a powder measure.

I've never seen such a funnel used at the range or on any other Youtube video. I also haven't seen them for sale.

Are they worth the effort or are they just a novelty? Thanks.

 

[Zonie]

I don't consider them of any value for loading a muzzleloader.

The idea behind these long funnel's is based on the idea that the falling powder will tend to compress itself. It is a very popular way to load the big black powder cartridges used by the guys who shoot Black Powder Single Shot rifles.
They call these things "drop tubes".

Using a drop tube does improve their loads but remember, they are loading something that is 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long.

With a muzzleloading rifle, you might say the barrel is about the same thing as their 24 inch funnel. It automatically serves as a "drop tube".

 

[don hepler]

Most of the black cartridge shooters use these to settle the powder in cartridges, like 45-70, 45-90, and 45-110. It is supposed to pack it into the case, and make the round more accurate. But it would seem that pouring back powder down the barrel, would have the same effect. It seems to me that the cartridge guys, are trying to duplicate, what would be the normal loading process for a flintlock or cap lock rifle. I'm just guessing, on this.

While I was typing, looks like Zonie, has already responded, with answer, much like mine.

 

[Al Bently]

Thanks for the input, both of you.

 

[Ken Cormier]

There is a guy that shoots at my club that use' s one. Says it keeps powder from sticking to the barrel. I would think that with the right fitting ball and patching will push the few grains stuck in the bore.

 

[Naphtali]

In at least one of the several books by Samuel Baker I have downloaded, he mentions loading with a long funnel to prevent powder from sticking to the barrel's residue (my evaluation, not his) to obtain maximum result from propellant.

He makes no mention of what to do with subsequent shots from the barrel.

Hope this helps.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

It is of very limited utility in loading a frontstuffer.
For one thing seating the ball on the powder with the same compression force
Matters more.
If you swab the bore between shots using a dry patch last, the is nothing to catch and hold grains of powder in a slow twist bore. Many shooters pour the powder and then give the side of the gun a few bumps to settle the powder into the flash channel. The bumping action is Imo just as good or better to settle the powder.

That said, there is some value to using a funnel to prevent spillage and or wind from blowing powder grains from their intended destination.

Using a skinny powder measure helps but if you get down to 32 and 28 cals a funnel is necessary.

 

[bpd303]

I don't know if it makes any difference but my Grandfather taught me to pour the powder slowly from the measure, instead of dumping it all at once. Using a funnel helps when it's windy.

 

[pargent]

They are used by competitors in world championship matches , mainly shooting in bays with separate loading benches .

 

[meanmike8665]

I use one and have for years. I shoot in formal competition not Rendezvous all over the west and I do my fair share of winning and I do think it makes a difference. I also use target sights for many of the matches and wind flags and I take up to 60 minutes to shoot 5 shots for record. So, is it just the drop tube I don't know for sure, but it does not hurt.

Michael

 

[Don Steele]

BINGO...!!
This is another procedure that many who shoot muzzle loaders will declare "has no effect", or "not necessary".
By and large...they're right. Most shooters would never see the difference.

The fact is that using a drop tube in your barrel when pouring powder WILL provide an additional albeit small measure of consistency. That additional consistency will show up ONLY if you are demanding the absolute BEST from your rifle, and then only after a number of other variables have been eliminated. Shooting offhand at 25-50-even 100 yds., you'll never see a difference. Bench it, stretch the range...and all kinds of hitherto otherwise insignificant "little things" begin to be more important.

 

[pargent]

The MILAC matches I was refering to are offhand