pouring from flask to measurer question...

[petep]

been hunting & shooting for over 30 years...my first muzzleloader (lyman trade rifle) will arrive this week...I know only what I've read...

Stupid question - rec'd my flask & measurer today from thunder ridge...and my question is how do you get the powder in to the measurer - just pour it in I assume to the top, with the measure set???

and then flip it over into the muzzle...

I need to really look at it, but at first glance I thought the pros must have some trick...so better to ask...

I got the treso cylindical flask and the treso 0-120 measure...

 

[bwhoffman]

you can set or trim the spout to deliver your premeasured charge. You DO NOT want to put that directly in the barrel, as that makes a potential bomb.
Finger over the end of the spout, open valve, fill, close valve, all while inverted!
Put the contents of the filled spout into a "measure or other seperate from the flask" device and use that to get the powder in to the barrel.

My $.02

Brett

 

[roundball]

been hunting & shooting for over 30 years...my first muzzleloader (lyman trade rifle) will arrive this week...I know only what I've read...

Stupid question - rec'd my flask & measurer today from thunder ridge...and my question is how do you get the powder in to the measurer - just pour it in I assume to the top, with the measure set???

and then flip it over into the muzzle...

I need to really look at it, but at first glance I thought the pros must have some trick...so better to ask...

I got the treso cylindical flask and the treso 0-120 measure...

The only stupid question is the one not asked...

There's a ton of things to learn getting started into muzzleloading and it'll take a while...one good piece of advice is to start reading the selected articles and information we've been accumulating / cataloging on this fine Forum...it's well worth spending a few hours to get the initial picture of all the major considerations you'll be undertaking as you get into this.

Regarding powder measurements, one thing I've found very helpful when preparing to go to the range, is to "pre-mreasure" my powder charges in th controlled convenience of my garage.

I stop at a few different photo development places and get bagsful of empty 35mm film canisters...pre-measure a few dozen canisters with 50grns, seal them in a labeled gallon size ziploc, do another few dozen 60grns in another ziploc, then 70grns, 80grns, 90grns, or what ever.

I use a couple of low boxes to sit on the shooting table that for example contains 50 powder chargtes in 35mm canisters, 50 balls, 50 patches, a baggie of wet cleaning patches, another of dry patches, another of lubed patches, and so on...makes my actual range trips very planned, organized, efficient shooting events instead of "cluster" events with odds and ends, bits and pieces scattered all over the place.

Avoid getting stampeded into any one absolute direction with your new found hobby...most of the enjoyment is in the journey...finding your own way along, tripping now and then, learning from it.....it's part of the whole process.

Enjoy!
:thumbsup:

 

[Rebel]

I hold the valve open on the flask and pour until the measure(which has been set to the desired amount) is full then close the valve as i tip the flask back upright. Then pour the powder from the measurer into the barrel.

 

I agree with roundball that pre-measured charges can be very time-saving (when that is an issue, such as in quick follow-up shots in hunting). I also have used 35mm film containers and similar things are available in BP sections of your sporting goods store. I believe that at least a few old timers used paper cartridges for follow-up shots. On the range or when at historically correct events, however, I load as others have said--pour powder from the flask/horn into the measure and from the measure into the bore. It is easier when you use a horn IMHO because it simply hangs from your side, whereas it seems like you need three hands with a can or flask.

 

[Stony]

1. Set your measure to the amount of powder you are going to use. Most people start out with the measure set to the caliber, i.e. 50 caliber, set to 50 grains.

2. Unscrew the end cap on the flask and fill with powder.

3. Holding the measure upright, set the powder tube at the lip of the measure. Depress the lever and watch as the powder fills the measure.

4. Tip the flask away from the measure and allow the powder to go back into the flask, release the lever.

5. Carefully, pour the powder from the measure into the barrel, try not to spill it.

6. Tap the stock with your hand near the barrel key to help settle the powder.

7. Load projectile (patched round ball suggested).

Make sure you mark your ramrod with the gun empty, then mark it again with the gun loaded. (Best to use pencil until you find the best load for your gun.) When loading make sure those marks line up so you don't load two charges or forget the powder. And so you don't create an air space between your powder and projectile. Always make sure your projectile is seated on the powder!

Good Luck.

 

[petep]

Thank you all for your help...these answers are what I needed. I appreciate it.

You have to appreciate when I get into a hobby, I get into it. I have a general class amateur radio license that began when I got the kids some little frs radios...not happy with their range, next thing I know I'm taking a morse code test so I can chat around the world...

I'm looking forward to muzzleloading as a new hobby...I enjoy the range almost as much as hunting so it should be interesting.

 

[mbw907]

Good luck Pretep. Stick with reading all the fine information on this forum and you will really hear some experienced knowledge. Most of these guys are happy to share concerning anything that you are curious about. Just ask. Nobody was born with the knowledge. It is all aquired over time. These guys are sharp! :thumbsup: Shannon

 

[chuck-ia]

there seems to be no end to this hobby once you get into it. you can keep it simple, or you can go whole hog. I don't use a flask myself. I just pour from the powder can to a powder measure. I took a 30-06 shell casing and cut the base off, drilled a hole in a goex cap and soldered the shell casing to the cap, makes it easy to pour powder in the measurer. when done for the day just screw it off and screw on a regular cap. different strokes for different folks. flinch

 

[roundball]

"...I took a 30-06 shell casing and cut the base off, drilled a hole in a goex cap and soldered the shell casing to the cap, makes it easy to pour powder in the measurer. when done for the day just screw it off and screw on a regular cap

Pretty creative idea...I bought a ready made replacement cap that had a brass tube soldered onto it.

Here's another tip you might also consider to avoid keeping up with the two different caps...at an auto-parts store I bought a couple of those black rubber slip-on ends that are used to seal off the end of a piece of vacumm tubing, etc...fits snug on the brass spout, no caps to keep up[url] with...slide[/url] it off, pour, slide it back on
:hatsoff:

 

[CrackStock]

How do you keep sparks from setting off your can while shooting?

Most ranges will not permit and open can of powder.

CS

 

[CrackStock]

Petep,

I check the setting of the measure; then pour powder until the measure is full; I scrape away any mounded excess with a straight edge; then pour the powder down the muzzle.

Did you get the PM?

CS

 

[roundball]

How do you keep sparks from setting off your can while shooting?
Most ranges will not permit and open can of powder.
CS

I don't have open cans of powder at a range...premeasure all my charges in the garage, using 35mm film canisters and take them to the range.

And if I did use the can at the range as I have it rigged, it would be no different than the way a powder horn operates...removing the stopper, pour the powder, etc...I could tie a rawhide strap to a can of Goex set up like I have it and use it as a "powder can" (pun intended)

 

[Grenadier1758]

The pour spout on my powder can is sized so that my separate measure fits over it effectively closing the can. This tells me that I don't have a measure full of powder around anywhere and I have most likely poured a measure of powder down the barrel.